Can you install drywall over plaster walls

They crumble easily. And they skyrocket the cost of your insurance. But should you really replace plaster walls with drywall? Since plaster is considered a higher quality material than drywall anyway, it should not be replaced with drywall in most situations. In that case, it makes sense to replace with drywall. Let me show you why. There are several different tools you can use to accomplish this, including handsaws, jigsaws, and specialized saws.

The main idea is to cut the sheets, so they properly fit around the edges of the doors, windows, and around the corners. Using a chalk line when making long cuts is very useful.

Once they are cut, you can use a drywall rasp to clean up the edges. When you put the panels up to attach them, a sharp knife works well to trim any edges that are too tight. You need to check the fit before you press the drywall to the wall. Using a caulk gun, apply a generous amount of Liquid Nails to the surface onto the wall. When attaching sheets of drywall, always make sure you start at the top of the wall , and always install your drywall sheets horizontally.

This is the most effective way to attach drywall over plaster. Once you have positioned the sheet of drywall in the right location, fasten it into the studs with the 2-inch drywall screws. Make sure your screws are spaced out by inch apart from one another and make sure you countersink every screw. Next, attach your cut-to-size sheet of drywall at the bottom of the wall. Apply a coat of primer to the wall to seal the compound before covering with paint or wallpaper. Things You Will Need.

Dust mask. A skim coat can cover most ugly plaster surface except for popcorn ceilings. About the Author. Photo Credits. Similarly, can you install drywall over plaster ceiling? Hanging drywall over old plaster is very common. If the existing strapping is securely fastened to the ceiling , you should be able to hang sheetrock. The weight is not an issue. Method 2 Medium to Heavy Pictures Determine where to hang your picture. Place painter's tape over the mark.

Place another bit of tape below the hole. Carefully drill a hole into the plaster. Hammer an anchor into the wall. Fix the screw into your anchor. Clean the area. Hang up the picture. Plaster walls are more vulnerable to moisture than drywall, and require high-quality primers.

Oil-based primers are the best option for old walls. They have superior stain blocking abilities, and will keep any old stains from bleeding through to new paint.

Moisture -- the Problem But whether lime-based or gypsum-based, plaster's biggest enemy is moisture. The first symptom of a moisture problem is a fine white powder on the plaster surface caused by soluble salts that migrate to the surface of the plaster. Locate the wall studs behind the plaster with a stud finder. Stud finder operation differs slightly by manufacturer, but most are battery powered. As a stud finder is passed across a wall, the increased wall density that indicates a stud is signaled by lights or sounds from the stud finder.

Place a row of 1-inch-thick boards on the floor along the base of one wall. Transfer the stud locations from the wall straight down to the boards on the floor, marking the tops of the boards with a pencil.

These boards are also spacers that create an expansion gap between the bottom edge of the drywall and the floor. Set the first sheet of drywall against the wall and rest the bottom edge on top of the row of spacer boards. Insert 2-inch drywall screws through the drywall and into the wall studs behind the plaster with a power drill and a Phillip's-head screwdriver bit.

Use the stud marks on the spacer boards as a stud location guide. As you approach an obstacle such as an outlet or light switch, measure and mark the location of the obstacle on the drywall and cut out the opening with a utility knife.