Drywall Sanding Tools

The pole sander reaches elevated surfaces.

Drywall contractors sand joints so smoothly that they’re truly undetectable. And it’s not just experience and training that allow the professional to skillfully conceal drywall tape and joints—the pros show up with the right tools for the job. Drywall finishers use both hand and power tools to prepare a surface for texturing and painting. Become familiar with drywall sanding tools to produce finished walls and ceilings with a clean look.

Sanding Block

The sanding block is essentially a rectangular bar of foam coated with an abrasive mineral-grit. The sanding block offers a basic method of hand-sanding a drywall joint compound. The block is particularly effective in reaching corners, tight spots and other areas inaccessible by larger sanding tools. Sanding blocks, like sandpaper, are available in heavy grit for rough sanding and light grit for fine sanding.

Sanding Sponge

The sanding sponge is a large natural or synthetic sponge. The sponge’s exterior features an abrasive coating or material. Sanding sponges are used for wet sanding. A dampened sanding sponge is pressed and rubbed against drywall joint compound to smooth and remove inconsistencies. Because joint compound is water-soluble, the lightly abrasive, dampened sponge easily dissolves and removes it. The sanding sponge and wet-sanding method eliminate the release of hazardous and messy drywall dust into the atmosphere.

Hand Sander

The hand sander looks like a flat, rectangular plate with a U-shaped handle protruding from its top. The side of the plate opposite the handle features clips that hold sheets of drywall sanding paper. A drywall finisher attaches paper of the desired grit to the hand sander, presses the tool against a drywall joint and rubs to smooth and sand the surface.

Pole Sander

The pole sander, like the hand sander, attaches abrasive drywall sandpaper to a flat plate. Instead of a handle, a flexible, threaded tube protrudes from the top of the pole sander. A sanding pole, similar to a broomstick, attaches to the threaded tube and allows the tool’s user to press and rub the sander against ceilings and elevated portions of walls. Because the point of the pole’s connection is flexible, the sander may be easily twisted, turned and pushed across broad surfaces. Pole sanders may be outfitted with telescoping extension poles which extend from a few feet to over 10 feet.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers