Frequently Asked Questions
In this section I’ll try answer some of the more frequently asked questions from homeowners based on my experience and information gathered from various Internet source, trade publications and from manufacturers of the products that are used in our trade.
Frozen paint is one the most often asked questions from homeowners and do it yourselves and with cost of paint who can blame them for trying to save their unused paint and hard earned money. The question is “can you use frozen paint after it has thawed out”. A better question is should you use previously frozen paint. I guess that depends on whether or not you are willing to the risk, of extra cost and time in redoing the project again. Let me explain. The answer is yes and no here are my reasons why. Most latex paint is largely made up of water with several other additives mixed or suspended into the paint. When paint freezes so does the water, when water freezes it expands and it is that expansion of the water that ruins latex paint causing irreversible damage to the molecules of the additives, synthetic binders and color pigments. This is why on every can of latex paint it is stated “do not freeze”. That is the “no” part of my answer now for the “yes” part if you are willing to take the risks. Over the years paint manufactures have improved the quality of the paints we now use. Many of them add a type of antifreeze that is used in automotive antifreeze which can prevent the paint from freezing and extend the life of the paint after it has frozen. What to do and look for if you have frozen paint. Bring the paint in doors and allow it warm up slowly to room temperature. Do not add heat that will damage the molecules even further. Once the paint has reached room temperature open the can and begin to stir with a paint stirrer or a mixing paddle on low speed. If after mixing the paint it looks like cottage cheese or has a grainy appearance throw it away it is no good. If after mixing the paint it has a creamy appearance then I would say that it is okay to be used but even if the paint mixes well there is some risk in using paint that has been frozen. Those risks would include a loss or uneven sheen “it will appear dull”, fading, cracking and peeling are also common side effect of using previously frozen paint. It is my professional opinion that any paint that has been frozen should not be used.
Ron Johnson (Owner) Lake City Drywall & Paint LLC
Drywall is made from very common mineral called gypsum (hydrated calcium sulphate CaSO42H2o). Gypsum is a very soft, gray white sedimentary rock that was formed through a process of pressing together minerals such as, oxygen, calcium, sulfur and salt water. As the salt water evaporates the oxygen bonds with the sulfur to form sulfate which then bonds with the calcium and water to create gypsum. Gypsum can be found all over the world wherever the right minerals and conditions occurs, most often gypsum is found in thick beds called evaporation basins of ancient seas. Here in the United States gypsum is mined in Texas, Colorado, Nevada, California and Utah. Once gypsum has been mined, it’s transported to factories throughout the world. There, raw gypsum is mixed with several additives, including starch, paper pulp and an emulsifier (or thickening agent), then blended with water to form a thick paste. The gypsum paste is spread onto Manila paper in 3/8-inch to 3/4-inch-thick layers. Another sheet of Manila paper is then laid on top. The entire formation passes through ovens that heat the sheet at temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This dries the material out and prepares it for cutting. Typical sheets are 4×8 feet, though 4×10 feet and 4×12 feet sheets have become popular recently, as they allow for faster installation of taller walls.
Ron Johnson (Owner)Lake City Drywall & Paint LLC
Standard drywall weighs about 3.4 lbs per sq ft per inch thickness. Water resistant drywall (green-board) weighs about 3.9 lbs. per sq. ft. per inch thickness. Fire-code C drywall weighs about 4.2 lbs. per sq. ft. per inch thickness. These are approximations, as the ratio of core vs. covering varies for different thicknesses, thereby varying the exact weights.
So, 1/2″ thick standard drywall weighs 3.4 x 0.5, or 1.7 lbs per sq. ft.
4′ x 8′ x 1/2″ thick sheet weighs 1.7 x 32 s.f. = 54 lbs.
4′ x 10′ x 1/2″ thick sheet weighs 1.7 x 40 s.f. = 68 lbs.
4′ x 12′ x 1/2″ thick sheet weighs 1.7 x 48 s.f. = 82 lbs.
5/8″ thick standard drywall weighs 3.4 x 0.625 = 2.2 lbs per sq. ft.
4′ x 8′ x 5/8″ thick sheet weighs about 70 lbs.
4′ x 10′ x 5/8″ thick sheet weighs about 88 lbs.
4′ x 12′ x 5/8″ thick sheet weighs about 105 lbs.
Now that you know how much a sheet of drywall weighs, you understand that drywall appears deceptively lightweight. Just because it looks like a thin sheet coated in paper, that doesn’t mean that one person can easily lift a panel. Follow a few tips for safely handling and installing drywall:
- Purchase the thinnest drywall that is appropriate for your job to avoid over-spending and potentially injuring yourself.
- Ask the supplier to drop your stack of drywall off as close as possible to the location where you will be installing it so that you don’t have to carry sheets long distances.
- If you must move several sheets at once, use a hand truck or dolly.
- Move only one sheet by hand at a time to avoid injury.
- Two sets of hands are better than one. Enlist help to move your drywall sheets so you are responsible for only one end, which will also help prevent damage to the delicate corners.
- Use a drywall lift or jack to install the drywall, especially when working alone.
- If you are inexperienced with hanging drywall, ask a drywall-savvy friend to help out or hire a professional.
Ron Johnson (Owner) Lake City Drywall & Paint LLC