Installing Drywall

What are Drywall / Sheetrock?

Drywall, also known as plasterboard, wallboard or gypsum board is a panel made of gypsum plaster pressed between two thick sheets of paper. It is used to make interior walls and ceilings.

Drywall construction became prevalent as a faster alternative to traditional lath and plaster.

In many places the common term is a trademark term such as gib, sheetrock or gyproc.

Tools & Materials Needed

-          Tool belt

-          Tape Measure

-          Pencil

-          Carpenters square

-          T-square

-          Utility unite & blades

-          Chalk line

-          Keyhole saw & hand saw

-          Hammer

-          Screw gun / Drill & Paddle bit for mixing mud

-          Ladder

-          Extension Cord

-          Drywall mud

-          Drywall Hawk & Pan

-          Sandpaper & Sanding pale

-          Screws & Nails

-          Drop Cloth

-          Corner Bead

-          Drywall sheets

-          Some timber to make a t-brace to help hold drywall to the ceiling

How many sheets will I need to panel my room?

To estimate the number of sheets required you need to start by getting your measurements for the ceiling (easiest way to do this is by measuring the floor) and the walls (measure the length & width of each wall independently).

After you have your simple / basic room measurements you can submit them to your supplier. They will determine exactly how much drywall, tape, nails and screws you will need.

Getting started

Now you have all the tools and materials necessary for the job it is time to start hanging some drywall.

1)     Start with you ceiling

Mark out where your joist are on the stud or track below, this will help you locate them later.

Check for any prodding objects

Using a level or chalk line check to make sure your ceiling joist are in line.

If the ceiling is seriously warped you can use some long strips of wood or shims to even out.

Start in a corner of the room, measure for your sheet making sure your ends falls on the center of the joist (cut if needed).

2)     Putting into place the first sheets

With some help or the use of a brace or lift, position your first sheet of drywall.

Hammer in some nails along the perimeter of the sheet to hold in place.

Once the sheet is held in place you can now secure the rest of the sheet with screws.

Note: It is important to countersink all nails and sink your screws joist a little below the drywall surface without tearing the paper. This will ensure a smooth finish when applying the drywall mud (remove any screws that will only pop out over time)

Now that your first sheet is firmly in place you can now start on the second sheet of your first row.

Measure and cut first before you raise and secure into place.

Now move onto the first sheet of your second row. It is important to stagger the joints here this gives you a stronger and smoother finish. So start your second row with half a sheet and then move onto a full sheet.

When measuring for outlets always measure from the pieces you have already installed or from a fixed location (eg. wall) towards the opening. Mark out on the sheet with your square and cut with the keyhole saw before you raise and secure into place.

Once your ceiling is up you can now begin on the walls.

3)     Installing drywall on the walls

Using the same principles as above always measure and cut first before you raise and secure into place.

Before you start hanging the walls you should mark out the locations of studs on your ceiling and floor.

This will help you locate them easier. Start with your top piece, making sure its snug to the ceiling.

Nail to keep in place and use screws to secure.

Continue hanging the top section of the wall before you start on the bottom section.

When hanging the bottom section remember to stagger the joints as you did with the ceiling.

4)     Don’t forget

Carefully measure, mark and cut out your holes for the outlets before installing. Remember always measure from the pieces you already installed towards the opening.

For areas like windows and doors you can completely fasten the sheet of drywall around the edges of the opening.

5)     Last notes

The pieces you have left overlapping you can remove with a handsaw using the framework as your guide.

To finish secure your corner bead to any outside corners you might have.

Now that you have finished installing the drywall you can move onto the next part – typing the drywall

Things to remember about this section:

1)     Plan before you hang

2)     Have as little joints as possible

3)     Carefully measure, mark & cut before you install

4)     Stagger your joints

5)     Countersink nails & screws

Guide to a Successful Expatriation

In this article, you will find a list of things you should consider before leaving home. Ideally grab a piece of paper and a pen, and write down your project, your goals and study the country. You will be surprised how by preparing properly your expatriation and knowing where the difficulties will be, you will be able to go pass them with more motivation and save precious time on-site.

Evaluate your capacities to adapt

Being able to cope with unusual situations and adapt to another countries culture is an essential quality for an expatriate. If you are too attached to your own cultural value, expatriation can be a complicated experience. But beware: these skills are not definitive. Life abroad also can profoundly change the perceptions of others and open to the world

Define your project

Your expatriation project must answer the question: "what is it that I'm going to win?". It should be much more than just financial reasons. Develop skills, broaden your horizons, extend your network, integrate a company? These are the elements that will make up the expatriation project. It is vital to define beforehand what you want to get from this experience in order to take maximum advantage of it.

Think about the entire family

If you are planning to move abroad with a spouse or a family to support it is essential that it is done as a family experience and each member of the household must have an individual project. Each member of the family must find their own purpose for the expatriation not just follow the other. Otherwise in a couple for example, one might get bored very quickly or refuse to integrate the new life which would ruin the whole experience.

Assess how expatriation will affect your career

Living abroad often constitutes a rewarding personal experience. It might be about learning the country’s language or increasing your capacity to adapt or an obliged step to climb in the hierarchy of your company. 

But we must measure the actual consequences of the expatriation on your CV. Is the practice a foreign language valued in my business? Will the sacrifices made abroad slow down my career? Does working in a foreign subsidiary put me away from the decisions makers? If these issues should not be brakes initially, they must however be asked to avoid disappointments later on.

Understand the local labor market

Depending on whether you're sent abroad by your business or you decide to go by yourself, the approach to the labor market is different. In the first case, on-site job awaits you; in the other, you will need to find a job. You will need to think in advance about the structure of the labor market in the country and the possibility of finding work within your field.  You will also have to set how much time you will give yourself to find a job. Some States ask to go if you're not employed quickly and you will have to be able to fund the time you will be unemployed.

Understanding the job market is assessing your chances of finding a position in your industry, understanding the skills required or even studying the economic situation of the country. For example, to find a job in Hong Kong, it is better to be trader than a French teacher.

Find employment locally

For those on the quest for a job abroad, the job search is a critical time. It is essential to be aware of the recruitment methods used in the destination country. Being aware of the country’s CV and Cover Letter format, having references ready and arranging interviews before leaving will save you precious time. Do not assume that the CV type you have been using in the UK will be valid in Australia or the USA, you might upset employers and lose credibility.

 

Study your employment contracts

Expatriation has various legal forms. Be careful before signing you contract if you beneficiate of your home countries employment laws, a special expatriate contract or if you will be under a local contract. For example, if you come from France, where you were entitled to 5 weeks paid holiday, employment security and high taxation system and move to Australia. On a local contract you would lose 1 week holiday and might find you contract specifies you can be fired overnight.

Be aware of life conditions in the destination country

It is vital to consider the country where you are going, living conditions, weather, safety, and, if possible, find out what your everyday reality will be. Whenever possible, the ideal is to go on holiday or take an unpaid leave or a sabbatical to make sure you actually like your new life before you quit your job to discover the real life on the spot. Some would prefer developing countries when others can only live in capitals cities. You must find the appropriate destination to suit your lifestyle.

Immerse yourself in the host country’s culture

Don’t rush to your community’s suburb as soon as arrived. The key to a successful expatriation isn’t to live in you expat bubble, learn about the country meet the people, learn the language, you will be pleasantly surprised and you will get so much more out of your experience.

Adapt to local methods

The working environment will be different business hours, hierarchical relationships change from a country to another. Don’t be shocked if in Spain they have a good 2h lunch break or if in Australia you are offered a beer on the workplace a Friday afternoon. These differences are what make the country unique, try to adapt and be open.

Keep in touch with your home country

Just because you are away for a few years, don’t forget to keep contact with your home country and keep your network alive to ease your return. Don’t lose a network you have been building for years or good friendships; you will be glad when you come home.

Understand you will go through different stages of mindset

Even if it is not your first expatriation and you are fully prepared, moving home isn't emotionally simple. When you arrive in your new country, you will find yourself going through a range of feeling from overwhelming excitement to stunned shock, from momentary panic and homesickness to a feeling of euphoria as you realize what you have achieved, and all the opportunities in front of you. 

It is actually one of the best feelings in the world when you have planned and prepared for relocation and then you realize it and make it happen!

Enjoy the positive feelings and don’t worry about the negative ones – they are 100% to be expected, everyone goes through the thought process where you encounter a few tough days trying to adjust. The best way to go through it is to remember why you made the move in the first place and what your goals were.

Planning Your Relocation

You have the desire to move, see new horizons and have a life changing experience and/or your company is relocating you to a different country. But leaving your old life behind, moving on to a new culture and way of life isn’t that easy it requires a lot of questioning about your intentions, planning and cash.


Especially if your move doesn’t just involve yourself it will be a long process just to get the Visa sorted, schools, finding employment, housing etc. and if you haven’t thought it through properly it might all be in vain.


First of all, it might be obvious, but before you give your resignation and sell your car, it is very important that you actually think about the reasons of your move and what you want to get from it. Everyone involved in your relocation must have a personal project they want to accomplish when they leave their home behind and if you are not clear about it you won't reach it and you might fly home on the first flight back.


So check out our Guide to a Successful Expatriation. It will give a list of subject you should consider before any relocation and tips on how to make the most out of it.


Now if you are really up for it, and you know what you want to get from this experience, here’s a list of topics you must think of before leaving:


1. Immigration: What Visa should you apply for? How long does it take to get the Visa granted? Does it give you full working rights? When can you enter the country?


2. Employment: Can you be relocated by your current company? Should you take a sabbatical or ask for unpaid leave the time of your expatriation or until you know you actually like your new life? Will you be able to find employment in your field? Or will you have to adapt? How will it affect your career? What salary should you expect?


3. What are you going to do with your house? Sell it or rent it? This involves fees, taxes and time maybe a lose make sure you take it into consideration


4. Furniture, car and personal effects: What will you sell, give away, recycle or pack up and take with you? How are you going to arrange the removal? Can everything fit in a suitcase or do you need a full 40 foot container?


5. Funding: Have you got enough savings to cover the cost of the removal? What if finding a job takes time, how long will you be able to last?


6. Education: Is there a good school for your children where you are moving? Will their education suffer from the move? What University programs you should opt for?


7. Medical: Are you covered by your home insurance? What local insurance to choose? Do you need vaccination?


8. Furry friends: It can take up to 6months to get all vaccination and quarantine cleared so prepare in advance.


9. Flights: How are you going to get there?


10. Accommodation: Where are you going to stay at first? Should you rent from overseas without visiting? Where to go to find a flat? Which suburbs? Which budget?


11. Banking: Will you use your home bank for daily expenses in France? How much does your bank change you for overseas transactions? With which French bank should you open a bank account with? How will you organize funds transfer?


12. Registering with the French Tax Office: You will have to open a Social Security Number, get it done as soon as possible


13. Inform your home country of your move: Which organizations do you need to inform of your move before leaving?


14. Register at your new local embassy or consulate: Will be essential if you lose your passport or need help from your government for any reason


15. Telecommunication: Quite soon in your relocation you will have to get a French SIM card, in order to be contacted from future employers and create relationships or be contacted easily from home. Find out what are the best packages for expats.

Refinish a hardwood floor

Refinishing your hardwood floors takes patience and time and it can be a very messy project but with the proper tools and knowledge, the results can be extraordinary and well worth your efforts.

After a few years all wooden floors need to be refinished. Most people bring in someone to sand the floor for an optimum result. If you want someone trustworthy to help you on refinishing your floors just give me a call 0687938395 and I will be happy to have a look at the work that need to be done and give you a free quote.

But if you want to do it yourself read the rest of this article. With my recommendations you can easily take off old vanish, all scratches, cracks, marks, repairing previous sanding jobs, or change the color of the tint.

Before starting to refinish your hardwood floor it is best to remove everything from the room.

1.  I mean all furniture and wall hanging have to go.
2. Cover light fixtures with a rubbish bag and secure with masking tape.
3.  Tape up every opening vents, switches and outlets.
4. Close off the room from the rest of your house by hanging a plastic sheet over the door opening or sealing the opening with masking tape.
5. Check floor for any nails or staples.
6. Vacuum the floor to remove any dirt and debris.

How to do the Floor Sanding

Several passes with a sanding tool is required for the smooth finish you wish to achieve so make sure you have good ventilation while sanding. This is very important as you can get very sick by not being careful with the sanding.

Choosing the machine:

There are several sanding machines available for this job. Personally I prefer to use the hand sander with a shopvac attached. Talk to the shop vendor for recommendation of what is best for your project.

Choose your sandpaper accordingly; remember the smaller the grids number the rougher the sand paper. You will need various levels for the whole process.

Start with a low grit number 20 or 30 then go up to 120.

When using these machines:

It is important to work slowly and let the machine do the work. You may want to try and practice in an area you know will be covered by a rug or sofa, this way any beginner sanding errors will be concealed plus it will give you a chance to get a feel for the machine.

Always keep the machine moving while running. Do not let the machine stand still while running or this will damage your floor.

Step 1:

Sand the entire area with the low grit number sandpaper, then use an edge or a detail sander to get to the areas you could not reach.

Remember to vacuum and clean the floor thoroughly after each sanding.

Step 2:

Next move onto a 60 grit sand paper and repeat the entire process cleaning thoroughly afterwards.

Finish by sanding the entire floor with a 100 or 120 grit sandpaper, cleaning with a vacuum afterwards.

With a cloth, wet with mineral spirits, wipe the entire floor clean of any residual sanding dust.

Mineral spirits takes only a few minutes to dry. Give them at least 30 minutes before moving on.

Step 3:

Once the floors are dry, you can apply your sealer or stain to your newly refinished floor.

It is essential you follow very carefully the instructions on you sealer or on the stain you select as each product differs in application and drying times.

Always start from the far end of the room and work your way towards the doorway.

Spread out evenly and work slowly to avoid bubbles in the sealer.

Allow a couple of hours as directed for the base coat sealer to dry. Some stains require more than one coat with sanding in between.

Apply polyurethane in the same manner as you did with the base coat.

Leave to dry as recommended and then apply a second coat.

If you apply a third coat please give adequate time to dry between coats for maximum outcome.

Allow 24 hours after final coat before walking on or moving your furniture back into the room.

Step 4:

Enjoy your new floors.

My Guarantee

I can guarantee you I will quote you the best value for money rate in Ile De France.  Whatever the projects you will love the results and will be amazed by how fast I work. 

Before I quote each job I assess exactly what needs to be done for an optimum result, what are the best products and tools necessary and quote you according to your requirements. Plus you will get to work with someone who understand your needs and speaks your language.

If you live l’île Saint Louis, Bastille, Nation, Republique, le Quartier Latin, Montparnasse, Montmartre, Boulogne-Billancourt, Issy-Les-Moulineaux, Versailles, or anywhere around Paris and you want to improve the value of your house for a resell, fix a problem or to improve your lifestyle. 


Give me a call 0687938395 or send me an email irishhandymaninparis@gmail.com for a free quote!

How to remove Paint & Varnish?

Today’s article will focus on Paint & Varnish removal.

One of the first steps in the renovation of an older house is removing bad quality, used, wrinkled or cracked paints and varnish. If it is not possible to paint over you will need to get the old paint off your surfaces for a perfect finish of your walls, floors and ornaments.

But if you don’t know how to do it properly paint & varnish removal can not only be an enduring and tedious job but also be dangerous for your health or you might risk damaging the surface.

There is a large panel of solutions available at your local supply shop but before you take advice to rent a sander or buy very expensive chemicals, I would recommend you assess the type of paint or varnish you need removed, the state of the surface underneath and compare it to the quality and length of your wood - To see if you can afford making a mistake and having to sand more off afterwards.

Here are a few examples with hints and tips how I usually work to remove different types of paint & varnish:

 How to take off old paints:

With old paints you will need to use petroleum like products. These chemicals can be quite harsh so you will need to try use as little as possible, have a high level of ventilation and wear a protective mask in order to avoid intoxication.

I always recommend trying the gentlest chemical first in order to do as little damage as possible. For sensitive surfaces, turpentine, most alcohols and lighter fluids or even nail polish remover are the best solutions and should always be tried first.

However when the results aren’t satisfying you might want to try the following paint removal options:

-         A light oil such as kerosene oil will dissolve paint, grease, tar off you surface allowing removal with ordinary detergent.

-         Lacquer thinner is a combination of various petroleum like chemicals it’s enough to soften most finishes but bear in mind it could do strong damage the surface underneath.

-         Paint strippers are widely available but contain highly volatile but effective solvents it is important to follow the directions of use very closely and maybe best if you test it first on a small inconspicuous area before applying to a larger surface.

-         Heat guns can be used to strip off the hardest of paints. It emits a steam of hot air which in turn lifts the paint off your surface so you can peal it away with a scraper (putty knife).

Remember that you should always keep the heat gun moving. Never allow the gun to stay in one spot long enough to burn the wood. Keeping the heat gun moving will avoid browned and darkened spots on your surface.

-         Mechanical removal with sand paper, scraper, wire brush or steel wool will usually be a beginner’s first approach to paint removal but although it can be very effective in certain case, you should always keep in mind you might damage significantly the underlying surface.

-         Water-based paints can be removed with detergent and water before it dries. Alcohol liquefies the oldest of paints as long as you wet the paint thoroughly and cover with plastic. Water-base paint should wash off with soap and water after a short period of time.

-         Paint on clothing can be removed by soaking first then followed by machine washing.

How to remove varnish?

When you are looking to remove varnish there is a wide variety of products available. A lot of these products work like paint strippers so it is important you read the direction of use closely and test it on an area that’s less eye-catching.

These products are generally applied with a paint-like brush.

When using a chemical for varnish removal the objective is to soften the painted surface beforehand, then it will be ready to be scrapped off and washed away with water. When you have the area stripped of varnish, running some steel wood over the area will pick up any residue left behind. When doing this kind of work always wear chemical-resistant gloves and work in a well ventilated area.

Removing paint for or varnish by sanding is only recommended on extremely rough jobs. Although sanding removes the painted surface quickly it also removes some of your wood surface beneath the paint. For this reason it is best to use a chemical paint / varnish remover first. They are much more effective and a lot easier to use.

Hints & tips on Home Improvements

In the following articles I will be giving you tips and advices for your renovation projects. Each article will be based on a particular area or field I specialize in. So stay tuned and don’t hesitate leaving a comment on what you would like to learn about or if you have any doubts before starting your project.

Of course if you don’t feel like doing these projects yourself, I would be glad to help you improve your house.

No job too small or too strange

If you have a doubt on if your project is easily doable, with the Irish Handyman in Paris there is truly no job too small or too strange. I will love to have a chat with you see how we could choose together the best solution for your home improvement project. I will give you the WOW factor.

My areas on competencies are but aren’t limited to:

• Carpentry
• Drywall
• Flooring
• Leaks & Drips
• Ikea Assembly
• Home Renovation
• Masonry
• Painting
• Hanging Wallpaper
• Varnish & Paint removal
• Wood stain and scratches removal Light Fixtures
• Faucets & Toilets
• Water Damage
• Shower Problems
• Roof leak repair
• Roof insulation
• Wood Varnishing

…And so much more

Go ahead and ask. Free quote

Services to the English-speaking community

The purpose of this blog is to assist the English-speaking community in Paris with their home improvement projects. When you are new in a country or don’t know how to speak perfectly a language it can be a harsh task to find a professional contractor you can trust and who understands your needs.


I believe there is a shortage in Paris for quality handymen and I know it can be difficult to explain your needs to someone who doesn’t speak your native language.


This is why whether you are Irish, English, American, Australian, New-Zealander, South Africain, Jamaican or from any English Speaking country don’t hesitate giving me a call to chat about how we can make your new house a home, repair damages or improve the value of your house for resell. As I said no jobs too small or too strange.

First post! My background

Hello my name is Mark, I am the Irish Handyman in Paris.

Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you find it interesting.

To give you some background about who I am, I am originally from Cork City in Ireland but have been working for over 10 years as a general contractor in the United States, Boston, and in Australia, Sydney.

I have been offering my services as a handyman in Paris, doing mostly painting and roofing but I would like to broaden my coverage.

All homes need maintenance work done regularly. This includes painting, hanging wallpaper, stopping a leak damage, refinishing floors and many others task. Whatever the job I can quote you the best price and bring in the right persons if you need another specialist. I pride myself on work well done and I always deliver an amazing result.