B1316 - Drywall includes boarding, taping and incidental spraytex, stippling, metal studs and acoustic ceilings

Operational Details
The employer initially begins by calculating the amount and kinds of drywall materials needed to complete the installation. Drywall installers and finishers install drywall sheets of various sizes and thicknesses on interior walls and ceilings of residences, commercial properties, institutional buildings, walk up apartments and high rise buildings.

If large enough, the employer will have their own supply of materials, if not, they are ordered from a drywall manufacturer or supplier and the materials are delivered by a flat bed truck. Drywall adhesives are used as well as drywall nails and screws in the process. Finishing includes hand and power sanding, and applying corner bead to corners of the walls.

Joints and spaces between the board are taped by a taping specialist and drywall “mud” or compound is troweled into cracks and joints in corners and between the sheets. Floats of various sizes are used to extend the tape joints. Once sanded and all nail or screw holes are covered it is then ready for painting or for wallpapering. Scaffolding is used for elevations and in the hard to reach areas, a ladder extension may be used to lift the drywall into place and sanding may be done by a pole sander.

Installing some insulation and vapour barrier materials to walls before it is covered with wallboard is part of this industry. Occasionally a drywall contractor may do some repairs before they can board the walls. This usually occurs when an electrician or plumber has either broken the vapour barrier seal, or the insulation has been damaged and must be replaced.

Applying ceiling acoustical materials or stippling a ceiling is incidental to the overall operations, and is mostly done in residential applications. When larger surfaces are involved, the principal or owner of a building usually contracts an acoustical ceiling or stippling contracting specialist.

SIC Codes
000000123 - Drywall