Old timer told me to never drywall before the house is sealed, I ignored him and paid for it.

Guy named Pete who's been framing since the 70s told me to wait until the roof and windows are fully sealed before hanging any board. I thought he was being dramatic and wanted to get ahead on a job in Raleigh last fall. Hung half a house of drywall before a storm rolled in and soaked everything through an unsealed ridge vent. Had to tear out 40 sheets of wet board and start over, cost me an extra 2 grand in materials and labor. Pete didn't even say I told you so, just handed me a pry bar. Now I don't touch drywall until I can walk the place in a rainstorm and stay dry. Anyone else learn this lesson the hard way or was I just the only idiot?

3 comments

3 Comments

tyler4922mo ago

Yeah, that's the rule for a reason. It's not just about rain, either. If you hang board before the place is sealed up tight, you're locking in all the construction moisture from the concrete, the mud, even the lumber. That moisture has to go somewhere, and it gets trapped behind the drywall. Next thing you know, you've got mold growing inside your walls or ceilings buckling six months later. Seen it happen with a rush job on a basement where they boarded before the slab was fully cured. Whole lower level had to be stripped out.

jessec391mo ago

Buddy of mine runs a remodeling crew, jumped the gun on boarding a house before the slab and framing were properly dry. They had to tear out all the drywall three months later and treat for mold, cost them a good chunk of the profit.

morgan_butler2mo ago

Ever wonder how long you actually need to wait after sealing up? Like, if you button up the windows and roof on a Monday, is it safe to start boarding by Friday or does that trapped moisture need weeks to dry out? I've heard guys argue both sides.