DIY Sheetrock Lift

Make a sheetrock lift with a two-by-four board and common tools.

Sheetrock is also commonly referred to as gypsum board or drywall. It comes in standard 8-foot by 4-foot sheets and is made of gypsum plaster sandwiched between two sheets of paper. Sheetrock is used for walls and ceilings, and because of its composition, the sheets are very heavy. Many commercial lifting devices are made to maneuver sheetrock into position for installation, particularly for attaching it onto ceilings. But with only common tools and a board, any do-it-yourself person can make a very satisfactory sheetrock lift.

Things You'll Need

• Hammer
• Nails
• Four-foot length of two-by-four board
• Tape measure
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Measure down one inch from a ceiling joist beneath where a piece of sheetrock needs to be mounted.

2. Attach a four-foot length of two-by-four board so the top of the board is at the one inch line, using a hammer and a nail. Nail it into a wall stud for strength.. Measure down another inch at the far side of the board, then nail that side into place. Your entire board will now be mounted an inch from the ceiling joist.

3. Lift up one end of the piece of sheetrock and place the edge onto the top of the nailed-on board. The board is the lift, and you can now easily nail down the opposite side of the sheetrock first just by holding it up into place. When the held side has been nailed, move to the lifted side, and nail it into place.

4. Remove the lifting board and continue to move it down, remounting it against the wall in every place that you need to put up another piece of sheetrock.

References

• Bob Vila: Drywall Lift

Resources

• Amazon: Drywall Lift
• Definitions: Sheetrock