You might want to save time by installing drywall over the existing wall. In this post, we will discuss if you can install drywall over drywall, plywood, or concrete.
New drywall requires moisture-resistant backing and an adhesive for installation.
Can you drywall over wallpaper? Is that OK?
You cannot properly install new drywall over existing drywall.
Bare drywall over an existing drywall surface is not suitable for new construction. You need to first apply a drywall mesh tape to the existing drywall surface. The drywall mesh tape acts as a water-resistant barrier between the existing drywall and the new layer of drywall. The drywall mesh tape must be applied as smoothly and flat as possible. The drywall mesh tape will help you properly position the new layer of drywall while creating a water-resistant barrier. The new layer of drywall must be installed over the mesh tape.
The short answer is ‘No’. It is not a good idea to drywall over wallpaper. Wallpaper tends to become moldy over time. This can spread bad odors in your house and even create dangerous situations. You can consider painting the wallpaper instead.
The best way to move forward is to remove the old drywall and replace it with a new one. You can also remove the old wallpaper and add a moisture-resistance layer over the old drywall. This is a lot of work though and often you are better off just replacing the drywall altogether.
Drywall should last a long time and it is a shame if you have to tear it down because there is a problem with a layer beneath it. For this reason, it is not a great option to drywall over wallpaper. It should be avoided as it can cause a lot of problems down the road.
Repairing the old drywall instead of replacing
Instead of installing drywall over old drywall, you can consider repairing the old drywall.
Old and damaged drywall poses several problems. It compromises the structural integrity of the home by lowering its fire resistance.
However, you can repair or patch the existing drywall if there is only small damage. Fortunately, repairing and re-installing old or damaged drywall is not as challenging as one might think. In this article, we’ll explore three processes to repair and re-install old or damaged drywall in order to protect it from future damage:
You can repair holes or cracks in the surface of the drywall with a drywall joint compound. You can easily find repair kits at local hardware stores.
Pamper the patch by taping the edges. Whether you’re patching or repairing, make sure that the drywall surface is clean and dry. Excess water and moisture can weaken the drywall, which can lead to further damage. Use a stiff brush to remove any loose particles or dirt. More details about how to repair small holes in drywall can be found here.
How do you blend new drywall with old drywall?
It is possible to blend new drywall with old drywall. The texture of your new drywall might look different though. This can make the walls look different. To fix this, you can try to mimic the texture of the old drywall. Another option is to scrape the texture of the old drywall and start over again by texturing both walls.
The seams between the two walls can be taped as you would do with new drywall. This ensures a tight fit and makes the gap unnoticeable.
It is important to check the status of the old drywall. While you are working on it, you might replace it if you notice that the drywall is starting to crack or is becoming brittle. This avoids problems down the road. Drywall can last a long time but it is quite fragile.
Can you hang drywall over the plywood ceiling?
Yes, you can hang drywall over plywood ceilings. It is important that you use screws that are long enough so that the drywall is properly attached to the plywood ceiling. You should also check if the plywood is strong enough.
If you use small plywood sheets, they can start to bend and buckle over time as they can’t hold the weight. Check how much weight your plywood sheets can hold before moving forward with this project.
Make sure that you use a stud finder so that you don’t drill in electric cables or plumbing pipes as these tend to be installed near plywood ceilings. This can avoid a plumbing emergency.
Marking on the plywood where each panel will come can make it easier to install the drywall panels.
You can also keep a vacuum handy to remove the dust that comes from the drywall.
Can you put drywall over concrete?
Yes, you can put drywall over concrete if you use a drywall mesh tape (or a vapor barrier). The drywall mesh tape will help prevent the moisture from the concrete from seeping through the drywall. Make sure to let the concrete dry out before installing the new layer of drywall.
This can take a few days as concrete takes some time to dry.
This is often done in the cellar of a house as this is often made out of concrete. This provides a sturdy base for the drywall panels. The main challenge is that the concrete might not be very smooth and this can make it harder to install drywall.
Do you put cement board over drywall?
Yes, you can cement over drywall. People sometimes do this to install heavy items. You should check the manual of your drywall or the instructions of the manufacturer before you do this though. You might also consider adding a sheet of plastic that acts as a vapor barrier. Cement contains a lot of water and this can damage the drywall so you have to be careful.
You also have to take the weight into consideration. Cement can be heavy so you will have to use big screws to hold the drywall in place.
In most instances, it is better to remove the drywall if there is a problem with it. This makes sure that you don’t have air quality problems or other issues later on.
In practice, not a lot of people will put cement over drywall given that drywall can be finished as well.
Do you put drywall over or on top of the cinder block?
Yes, you can apply a new layer of drywall over the cinder block. You need to create a smooth surface before doing this. Make sure that the cinder block is properly installed. You can also consider adding a vapor barrier.
Don’t forget to save some space for electrical wires and plumbing pipes.
To conclude, we can state that drywall is a versatile material that can be installed on top of a lot of materials. Make sure to check the instructions of the manufacturer as there are different types and quality standards.
