For the past several weeks, John has been working on installing the sheetrock. It seems endless. Attaching it to the studs is just the beginning. Taping and "mudding" (a.k.a. applying joint compound to smooth the edges, seams, and nail holes; then doing it all over again...and again, then sanding, and touchup), has been his daily activity for a while now. Let's just say that he knows every inch and corner of our walls very well ;-)
The good news is that it's finished! Better yet, we have saved thousands of dollars doing it ourselves versus hiring a subcontractor, which was our original intent to save time. Two of our wonderful neighbors (you know them well by now), Paul and David, helped out. Once again, many thanks to you guys!
Paul and John started with the upstairs ceilings which had to be done prior to insulating. After insulating was completed, John and David, with the assist of a drywall lift, started the drywall installation. Here's David pulling another 4x12 foot sheet to cut:
He seems to be enjoying himself...
John and his RotoZip rout out the excess sheetrock around a window:
Remember John "contemplating" the skylights last January? Here's a follow-up photo. It looks like he's figured what to do with them now:
Sheetrock defines the rooms and walls:
Eileen helps fill nail holes:
Meanwhile John has been rotating through the house applying joint compound to smooth the edges, seams, and nail holes; then doing it all over again...and again, then sanding, and touchup. After the first week, he dreams of being a carpenter again....
Finally it's ready for a "mud roll" (sounds like Woodstock). A mud roll is watered down joint compound that is rolled onto the sheetrock surface with a paint roller. It's then immediately troweled off. This creates a consistent smooth surface that's ready for paint. Paul returns to help John finish this final prep of the sheetrock:
Now the walls are ready for primer and finish coats of paint.
