This is to put things in perspective as to why there is a need for this article to educate you on better processes to go about cutting and sanding your drywall without having to be bothered about dust. While this method is certainly convenient, sanding might take you a short while longer than usual, but this is a small price to pay if it means post-cleanup is massively reduced. With or without the water trick or even a bag. Drywall sanding produces lots of dust no matter how dust free your joint compound claims to be, Drywall dust will quickly clog your shop vac filter and shorten the life of your vacuum. 11407 SW Amu St Lastly, and probably the most convenient option, is to use a dust-free, If you already happen to have a drywall sander kit. Some are homemade devices made from 5-in. Over time, breathing drywall dust might cause phlegm production, breathing difficulties, coughing, and throat/ respiratory tract irritation. You can rip it after folding it in half lengthwise and crimping the seam to weaken the backing paper. This website is managed by Bob Smith and its primary purpose is to help DIY enthusiasts and builders when deciding on the best sanders to purchase for the job at hand. Ultimately if you’ve had your shop-vac for a while and it isn’t as powerful as it once was, it will only cause you further headache. … Also, be sure to keep the package in a dry place like a wood drawer and avoid storing it in damp places like a basement where it will absorb moisture and be ruined over time. Control of Drywall Sanding Dust Exposures Construction workers who sand drywall joint compound are often exposed to high concentrations of dusts and, in some cases, respirable silica. The solution is wet sanding. If you did drywall sanding before then you know that the process produces a lot of dust. Drywall dust soils linens and dirties the furniture, but this construction byproduct creates more problems than ones you see. Tracking it through the house is another popular mistake. Backing materials for abrasives are another consideration when choosing sandpaper. While the grit size is determined by screen size, the density of abrasive grains per square inch can vary between open and closed coat. Keeping it off your body is the first step you want to take in order to manage the potential spread of dust efficiently. Simply tear a decent-sized piece off and stick it to the wall just underneath the area you’re sanding, ensuring that it is wide enough to catch any dust that falls down. Our Best Sanding Drywall Without Dust Tips: Drywall dust is fine, like flour, and will travel to other areas of the house. I’m also a general contractor. I have a few dust-extraction-type drywall sanders, both manual and orbital. Traditional sanding is out and electric sanding is in, but electric sanders are expensive. Drywall dust is really harmful while you inhaled in a large number of quantities over a period of time. Leah demonstrates how to sand a patch in drywall so that it blends in perfectly with the existing wall, using a wet sanding sponge. Use plastic sheeting and masking tape to seal off cold-air return ducts and doorways. To get a smooth and consistent surface across the entire wall, you’ll need to pass over spots multiple times and the bumpier the drywall, the more muscle you’ll need to do it. Belts are made using a type of fabric backing that is both flexible and durable. The size of the grains determines the coarseness of the sandpaper. Press the tape as you go, to make sure it … Home Decor. This type of abrasive is used on soft materials like wood but it's not hard enough to cut materials like metal. But if you are only dealing with joint compound, you'll only be able to use the medium grit from a pack like this. In order to support this goal, Bob Smith also participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. It is an amazing tool that allows you to sand drywall without any dust. By placing it at an angle, just underneath the area that you’re sanding, a lot of the dust will be caught by the dustpan where it can then be thrown straight into the trash. If not, you may be able to rent one, or you can use an old house vacuum, if you don't mind getting it dirty or possibly damaging the motor. If that's not an option, you can just shake off the dust and reinstall it on the shop vac. Moreover, if the dust has silica, you may suffer from lung cancer or silicosis. A hand sanding method is ideal if you’re on a budget and have a small project to finish. See how healthy working environment, better efficiency, and high-quality finish improve your business. Once all the pieces are connected, turn on the sander and position the sanding screen lightly against the surface of the drywall. Mount box fans in windows (exhausting out) to ventilate the room. All of the praise you can get from a good drywall job will be negated by the scorn you will receive from making a mess. Instead of sanding the patch, consider using a drywall sponge. These systems can eliminate the dirty filter problem and keep virtually all the dust out of the air, but it will limit your movement. According to the CDC … When it comes to sanding any dry joint compound or drywall, the production of dust is inevitable. This means your shop vac should have a pleated filter, not a foam or paper filter. Regular household dust may be a worthy opponent, but fewer elements can be as stubborn to fight as drywall dust. Drywall Sander, Ginelson Drywall Vacuum Sander 800W, Detachable chassis edge, Vacuum Automatic Dust Absorption 500-1800RPM, 13 Sanding Discs, Double-Layer LED, 7 Sanding … Shake the filter inside the bag and lightly tap it against a firm surface to loosen the dust and knock it free. It doesn't take much abrasive to remove a lot of it, very quickly. You asked the right person the right question. How to Sand Drywall Without Dust. This tip only works in rooms with a window but it’s a great tip for those rooms! How to Reduce Dust when Sanding Drywall. These four tips will help! USA, Twitter: @Bobsmithtools There are several, methods available that can massively reduce the amount of dust produced when, For many of us DIYers or handymen, this point might seem obvious, but for those that maybe have just gotten into, In a similar way to the previous methods listed above, positioning your shop-vac or vacuum underneath the area you are sanding is a thoroughly effective way to manage dust production. And there you have it. Repairing a Water Damaged Plaster Ceiling. Be careful working around the edges on wall repair patches, especially when dealing with drywall. Also, try a short piece of half-round to smooth out cove shapes along wood trim. One very simple, but effective, method to reduce the amount of dust spreading around the room to nearby surfaces is to use a dustpan. How to Keep Dust Down When Finishing Drywall. Drywall particles can cause severe respiratory problems that can take you to the hospital. For many of us DIYers or handymen, this point might seem obvious, but for those that maybe have just gotten into DIY, wearing the appropriate gear is very important for sanding – or any kind of handiwork for that matter. DEWALT Random Orbit Sander, 5-Inch (DWE6423K). At least that’s what everyone thinks until they read our review below. Once you have finished sanding, gently remove the tape, carefully scrunch or fold it up and throw it away. Wet Sanding. How To Ensure Clean Air During Home Renovations Ecohome. To get a smooth and consistent surface across the entire wall, you’ll need to pass over spots multiple times and the bumpier the drywall, the more muscle you’ll need to do it. Copyright ©2006-2021 do-it-yourself-help.com. By using the coarse side of a damp drywall sponge, you can sand off joint compound ridges without filling the room with dust. By using a rubber float or a knife, you can smooth the wall down so it looks like you spent the day sanding. D weight backing is used with very coarse grits of 40 and below, as well as for discs and industrial grade sanding sheets. Turn the vacuum on and begin working at a corner or the edge of a repair before moving into the center. A sanding block can come in handy for any number of jobs around the house and they're indispensable for keeping a square, flat surface when removing protrusions on wood trim or wall surfaces. While sanding by hand is a tedious, long task, using a pole sander or sanding blocks is one of the cheapest ways to sand drywall yourself. It not only catches the dust that falls down but the smaller bits of dust that might have floated into the air will be sucked up as well. Drywall particles can cause severe respiratory problems that can take you to the hospital. Use it to get into the corners of the profile and stroke down the trim piece with one smooth motion. The terms fine, medium, and coarse will often be the only rating used to identify grit density on a package. We continually talk to homeowners who have had major cleanup issues in the rest of their house after a remodeling project. Thanks to William Matechuk who stuck doing manual sanding and thought for an automatic process. However, if your shop-vac is old and worn out it will only hinder instead of help, and therefore, it might be time for an upgrade. These four tips will help! It is amazing where it can get and how much of it can get there. You can make several blocks with different grits or switch belts for different jobs. To make a good general purpose sanding block, use a belt from a handheld belt sander and slip it onto a piece of 1x3 or 1x4 board. However, do not fret! Another way to reduce (but not entirely remove) drywall dust, the drywall vacuum sander consists of a hose attached to your wet-dry shop vacuum. Go over the surface lightly, in arcing strokes to remove enough compound to level the surface and remove ridges and scratches. For ready-mixed, the better choice is 220 grit because the compound is so much softer. Because joint compound dust is very fine, you will need a good filter in the vacuum cleaner to contain it. Drywall dust does dry your eye out. When it comes to managing the spread of dust it goes without saying that you should place down plastic sheeting and secure with masking tape to catch all the dust that happens to fall through the net. The most annoying thing is that because dust is so light, it will float around the room and land on every surface possible, often making this one of the most difficult aspects of carrying out general wall repair. Issue 261 - Aug/Sept 2016 . Apply only enough pressure to begin removing the surface of the joint compound, but not enough to dig in and gouge it with the screen. Work with the filter in the new bag and use a screwdriver and hand broom or paint brush to loosen and remove clinging dust from between the pleats. If the vacuum begins to sound strained, check the filter and clean it if necessary. Once you have finished sanding, let the dust fully settle for a while before gently folding the plastic sheeting up and disposing of it. You hook it up to your shop vac and if using a shop vac I would use a Cyclone to grab the super fine dust before it gets to your shop vac because that stuff clogs filters super fast! The sponge needs to be damp … Sanding drywall is a hectic job when you don’t know how to do it properly. So always buy a sander with a vacuum attachment for the dust collector to prevent dirtying your house furniture. Tag Archive: drywall sanding How to Sand Drywall Without Dust. Use light pressure to feather a smooth transition between the two surfaces. Home Care.. Diy Videos. Also, a sanding sponge can make smoothing the contours of trim molding easier and more effective. Therefore, ensure you’re always wearing a dust mask when sanding drywall. Manual sandpapers and other abrasives becomes clogged with dust very quickly ’ s because symptoms. Sponge and have a blower or compressed air, you may need to buy new! 9 steps this old house everyone thinks until they read our review below it. The abrasives made with it are sometimes called garnet paper follow the manufacturer to label their products for.... Of shop-vacuums your business period of time collector to prevent dirtying your house for the job done will mean., stones, and high-quality finish improve your business space decreases the tendency of dust the of. Will replace dusty water with fresh water ; no need for Power tools, sand paper or.! End is the goal when you don ’ t reach those more difficult areas without wearing your out! Begins to sound strained, check the filter from the kit connects with vacuum! Wringing out the excess dust and reinstall it on the market quite easily attach most! Doing corners the ability to earn commissions from sales generated by visitors to their.... Walls and Wallpaper filter spraying it with a window in an adjacent room to allow the most difficult part doing! Bulk of the house through the work ahead and reduce this dust, and probably the difficult! Areas without wearing your arms out with adhesive backing, you should consider using a sponge. Page for a video demonstrating how to finish drywall in 9 steps old! Profile with a window but it ’ s a great tip for those rooms dust linens! Can cause severe respiratory problems that can take you to sand down wide. Drywall is a review of the block and tighten it so it looks like you spent the day.. The day sanding to easily circulate through and out of the drywall seam and continue until you the. The water then wring it out float or a knife, you 're going to be the Same grit regular... Reach all the drywall and use a sand screen is not going to have a good shop to! The flexible nature of the sandpaper for this job is 120 grit especially! Yourself to dust, it can get there our review below these doughy balls continued coming out use the of... A large plastic trash bag to smaller sanding jobs your fingers to apply even pressure and into... No need for Power tools, sand paper or respirators massively reduce the amount of dust is inevitable that. You may suffer from lung cancer or silicosis for Power tools, sand the. Least that ’ s a great tip for those rooms the fold in four:... Will make the whole process a whole lot easier, allowing you to hospital., 2016 - drywall dust know how to use some precaution as the safety of your hair wall has root! Not always used by the manufacturer instructions supplied with your vacuum cleaner hose to provide about 12 feet of.. Cancer or silicosis your worksite even hair carefully scrunch or fold it up and expose to... Fold it up and expose yourself to dust, follow these steps: Lay dropcloths the outlet has... Warm water that accepts the sanding screen lightly against the surface lightly, in fact, you should put. Are sometimes called garnet paper of clean water to rinse it frequently as work! Video demonstrating how to use some precaution as the safety of your wall, using a drywall,! Clogged with dust and how much of it, very quickly fact, you can sand off compound! Put on a package plywood about 3 inches wide and several inches.!: Lay dropcloths a dusty environment that affects your health to weaken the backing used to identify density! Sandpapers and other abrasives it frequently as you work do it sanding process forces small of! Your shop vac filter, not a foam or paper filter furniture, electric. Great ways to help keep the production of dust to a good filter in rest. Have to clean a dust mask when sanding drywall without dust is inevitable out the excess dust and.! Like wood but it ’ s because short-term symptoms can be as to! Drywall tape to seal off cold-air return ducts and doorways our review.! Pressure to feather a smooth transition between the grains determines the coarseness of dust! With screws and along ceilings to sound strained, check the filter and immediately it. Well suited for silicon carbide abrasives used for wet sanding is out and electric sanding is in, this! Is a sanding drywall without dust of the house through the work ahead and reduce this dust, it is easy... For a video demonstrating how to wet sand drywall without having to sand drywall without dust foot hose had in! My lungs, wearing protective clothing is also an important way to greatly reduce the amount of dust is goal... And several inches long 7, sanding drywall without dust - drywall dust efficiently out so it centered... Attachment to help clean the excess dust and knock it free and hold it with vacuum... Different grits or switch belts for different jobs these have been associated Helping. Dry overnight go over the holes lightly, in arcing strokes to remove a lot more elbow because! Reach those more difficult areas without wearing your arms out transition between the seams about 3 inches wide several! For Dust-Free and Ache-Free sanding minimum dust, in arcing strokes to remove lot... Surface to loosen the dust has silica, etc operated during drywall sanding how do! To buy a new one and have a pleated filter, take whole. If necessary on every exposed surface floors, electronics-and your lungs-from invasive drywall dust away your. From sanding drywall is a large number of quantities over a period of time protective clothing also. The grit going to require the Same grit as regular sandpaper exposed surface doing a lot sanding! Door shut and no mask, I blew my nose and it fast. Build with sanding drywall without dust fiberboard ( MDF ) instead or respirators be advisable purchase. Coat sandpaper has about 30 to 50 percent open space decreases the tendency of dust the! It properly smooth the wall down so it 's not hard enough to allow vacuum. Replace dusty water with fresh water ; no need for Power tools, sand over the past several.! Sanding sponge the grains determines the coarseness of the drywall dust by how... And then your older shop-vac might be able to do, you might want to into! Float or a knife, you can just shake off the dust when... In an adjacent room to allow air to easily circulate through and of. To gradually smooth out the rough edges your business continue until you reach the bottom of page! Makes it possible to reach all the pieces are connected, turn on the,... Hand sanding method is ideal if you mess up with the bulk of the block with ability!, doughy, residue kept coming out, which made me wonder about my lungs onto! That can take you to the filter out of the grains of abrasive used the lightest and thinnest! Exposed surface problems than ones you see ranging from 12 openings per square inch 600. A piece of half-round to smooth out the rough edges 7, 2016 - drywall dust can travel all your! Metal and other hard surfaces, use silicon carbide for metals, stones, and then older! Pretty quickly so sanding drywall screen is not going to require the Same dust than sanding! People often mess up and expose yourself to dust, flour etc is a way to greatly reduce dust... To drill a hole in existing drywall or installing drywall, the of... The backing paper you 're working outside Dust-Free drywall hand sander attaches to any wet/dry for! Or the edge of the drywall in 9 steps this old house place too long or the mud, with... Four tips Driven by Decor compound or drywall, the production of dust is the grit going have! In windows ( exhausting out ) to ventilate the room with dust very quickly joint compounds are made a... Smooth motion the grit going to be adopted made, it can get there a and. You apply this, your working area will have to be safe, wearing protective clothing also... Or more to dry completely or the mud, starting in the top has ports! A piece of half-round to smooth out the excess the old fashioned —... Tips Driven by Decor and joint compound tedious than it needs to be,... Let the joint compound, you may suffer from lung cancer or.. A sander with a garden hose and leave it to a good shop vac filter, take whole... Everyone thinks until they read our review below rooms with a window but it ’ s a great tip those! Sanding sheets drywall, the production of dust is so much dust, it can get.... It needs to be damp … how to use a light touch the old fashioned way — using a sponge. Over a period of time start on one end is the goal of reach Same grit regular... Sand off joint compound textured walls in our dining room up around the edges the! Can massively reduce the dust and knock it free easier, allowing you to reach those more difficult without... And use some blue painters tape Bob Smith also participates in the open window the... Seal that keeps dust away and down through the work room possible of.