How to Put in Screws in Sheetrock

Drywall screws hold drywall sheets to ceiling joists.

When installing sheetrock (drywall) to ceilings, drywall screws are used to attach the drywall sheets to the ceiling joists. The screws are installed so that the head of the screw merely indents the surface paper of the drywall, and does not break it. This is done to ensure that the each screw has maximum potential to hold the drywall in place. The installation of the drywall screws itself is simple, but an extra pair of hands to hold up the drywall while installing the screws makes the job easier and faster.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Chalk line
• Drill gun
• 1-5/8-inch drywall screws

Instructions

1. Mark the edge of the drywall sheet in 16-inch increments, at each end of the sheet.

2. Join up the marks at each end using a chalk line--you will have three parallel chalk lines running down the center of the drywall sheet. These lines will mark the center of each ceiling joist when the sheet is placed in position.

3. Hold the drywall sheet in position against the ceiling joist. Starting at one end of one of the lines, use a drill gun to install 1-5/8-inch drywall screws along the chalk line, eight inches apart. Make sure that each screw head indents the drywall paper surface but does not break the paper. Install screws along all three lines, as well as both side edges of the drywall sheet.

References

• "Home Improvement 1-2-3"; Benjamin W. Allen, Christopher Cavanaugh; 1995