How to Hang Drywall to a Basement Cinder Block
Hanging drywall on basement cinder block walls can be a challenging project. You can screw or glue drywall directly to block walls, but it’s not a good idea. Concrete draws moisture. If the drywall is up against the block, the moisture will be trapped, causing mold, mildew and odor problems. One of the easiest ways to hang drywall to a basement cinder block wall is to install furring strips on the wall first. Furring strips are thin strips of wood that you can screw to the block walls. Once the furring strips are mounted, you can install the drywall just as you would on a regular wood-framed wall. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Furring strips
- Tape measure
- Saw
- Level
- Hammer drill
- Concrete screws
- Screw gun
- Utility knife
- Drywall screws
- Safety goggles
- Ear plugs
- Assistant (optional)
Instructions
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Measure and cut furring strips long enough to build a frame around the perimeter of the basement cinder block wall.
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Hold a section of furring strip flat against the wall along the edge, bottom or top of the wall. Drill through the strip and into the block wall, using a hammer drill and masonry bit. Drill 1/4 inch deeper than the length of the concrete screws. Drive a concrete screw through the strip and into the wall to hold the strip in place.
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Continue drilling holes for the concrete screws. Drill a hole every 2 feet along the furring strip. Stagger the holes across the face of the strip to help prevent splitting. Drive concrete screws into the holes to attach the strip to the wall. Repeat this procedure around the perimeter of the wall.
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Cut furring strips long enough to reach from the bottom of the perimeter frame to the top. Start at the center of one of the vertical uprights on the edge of the wall, and measure 16 inches toward the middle of the wall. Place the center of one of the furring strips at the 16-inch mark. Make sure the upright is plumb, then drill it and mount it to the wall, using concrete screws.
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Continue mounting uprights at 16-inch intervals along the entire wall.
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Hold the drywall horizontally against the furring strips. Use scraps of furring strips to hold the drywall slightly off the ground. Drive drywall screws through the drywall into the furring strips every 16 inches across the face of the drywall.
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Drive the screws until they make a slight depression in the paper face of the drywall without tearing the paper. Continue cutting and mounting the drywall, making cutouts for wiring boxes and other obstacles with a utility knife, until the wall is covered.
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Tips & Warnings
For easier finishing, stagger the drywall seams vertically and horizontally. Using a rotary-cutting tool is an easier way to make cutouts in drywall. Consider using moisture- and mildew-resistant drywall in damp basements.
Make sure there are no pipes or conduits inside the wall before you start drilling.
Drywall is heavy and awkward to handle; consider enlisting the aid of an assistant or renting a drywall lift when installing it to avoid injury.
Always wear hearing and eye protection when using a hammer drill.
References
Resources
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