How to Avoid Drywall Dust

Avoid clouds of dust when working with drywall with a few handy tools and techniques.

Drywall dust is the light gray dust created during any drywall installation, remodeling or repair job. When you cut the drywall, you'll create clouds of dust that floats gently through the air to cover everything in sight with a dusty powder. While it's nearly impossible to entirely eliminate drywall dust when dealing with drywall panels, there is a way to avoid most of the dust, leaving you an easily manageable amount.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic sheeting
• Masking tape
• Saw with hose attachment
• Dust-free sander
• Shop vac
• Ventilation fans

Instructions

1. Cover the doorways and any vents leading from the area with plastic sheeting to effectively cut off the drywall work area from the rest of the structure. Cover the area with a single sheet and secure the sheet into place with masking tape. This keeps any dust created from escaping to other areas.

2. Cut drywall with a saw with a hose attachment that connects to a vacuum to collect any dust made when cutting the drywall. Sand joints using a dust-free sander, which connects by hose to a vacuum. Keep a small shop vacuum handy to remove any dust missed by the vacuum attached to the devices.

3. Set up a ventilation fan in exterior windows to direct any dust created outdoors. Aim the fan so the dusty air flows out of the room and close the windowsill onto the top of the fan's frame to hold it in position.

4. Use the shop vacuum to remove any dust from your clothing or shoes before leaving the area to avoid tracking dust to other portions of the structure.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear safety goggles and a face mask to keep drywall dust from irritating eyes or lungs.

References

• Paintsource: About Drywall Dust
• Home Envy; Living Through the Mess: Drywall Dust Survival Guide; Steve Maxwell; 2008