Anyone encounter this?

Greg1959 · Jun 22, 2015

I've seen this on many job sites.

Building is framed up and ready for plumbing and electrical. Plumbing is done and electrical comes in and pulls wire and hangs receptacles. Most on/off receptacles are placed at 4 feet from the floor, which puts them in the seam of a 'mudder', drywall person working on a 8 foot ceiling. .

So, 'mudder'/drywall person proceeds to fill boxes with 'mud' and tapes over them

Next, electrician comes in and sees his outlets packed in 'joint compound/mud and then proceeds to hack away with his Estwing hammer to find the junction boxes and others.

Next, Drywall guy has to return to job site to repair holes caused by electrician.

I am not saying that it is the way across the country...just the way it happens here,

JD Seller · Jun 22, 2015

I have seen this type of thing more in heavy union jobs where the locals spat back and fort an the contractor has little recourse. Also they do it so they will have to come back and get paid more money. It is just general POOR work ethics coming through.

tomturkey · Jun 22, 2015

Well I'll give MY experienced opinion on this. 48'' to the center of switch outlet is the industry standard. So as you say the box ends up right in the seam/joint. In order to achieve a professional looking job, the drywall finisher tapes the joint first, next day he must skim drywall compond over the tape. With a 10" or 12" drywall knife he's covering that tape with approx 1/8 inch of compound. In order for the joint to "disappear" they must pull the compond straight across the box. They cannot stop and start at the box, it does not work out well for making the wall appear seamless. I worked in the trades for years, I never saw any malice on the part of the drywall finisher. The electrician who does not understand how it is done needs to grow up and be a professional. As far as UNION vs. Non-union, in the midwest I dont believe you could find a union electrician or a union drywall finisher in a residential house, which is what you are talking about.

Greg1959 · Jun 22, 2015

tomturkey- "As far as Union vs. Non-union, in the midwest I dont believe you could find a union electrician or a union drywall finisher in a residential house, which is what you are talking about."

I'm sorry, Union workers did not even enter my mind. I was talking about 'contract labor', in my area, drywallers that I know, had never worked for a Union. And, YES, it was in many residential job-sites.

bison · Jun 22, 2015

(quoted from post at 20:20:33 06/22/15) I've seen this on many job sites.

Building is framed up and ready for plumbing and electrical. Plumbing is done and electrical comes in and pulls wire and hangs receptacles. Most on/off[b:29fab91076] receptacles are placed at 4 feet from the floor, which puts them in the seam of a 'mudder', drywall person working on a 8 foot ceiling.[/b:29fab91076] .

So, 'mudder'/drywall person proceeds to fill boxes with 'mud' and tapes over them

Next, electrician comes in and sees his outlets packed in 'joint compound/mud and then proceeds to hack away with his Estwing hammer to find the junction boxes and others.

Next, Drywall guy has to return to job site to repair holes caused by electrician.

I am not saying that it is the way across the country...just the way it happens here,

thought Mericans would be smarter than that .:roll:
Do like Canadians do,..place the 4 x 8 drywall sheets up right so there wont be a seam in the center to interfere with the electrical boxes

sms · Jun 23, 2015

Our taper just cleans the boxes himself when he is done. Of course we all have worked on many jobs together and help each other out all the time.

Greg K · Jun 23, 2015

Electrical code says there is to be no more than 1/8" gap between the drywall and the electrical box. With everyone using a rotozip these days it is not such a problem but if there is a gap of is the responsibility of the electrician to make sure no large gap exists, and electricians don't carry sheetrock mud lol.
If the electrician would use a utility knife instead of hammering on it the chance of breaking more out is minimal. However with the fast drying harder sheetrock mud it is sometimes necessary to hammer it out.
As far as standing the drywall up, the reason they lay it horizontal is so that the longest seam is at a comfortable working height.

Dachshund · Jun 23, 2015

Actually, the reason they lay the drywall on it's side is to have as few vertical seams as possible. Vertical seams are easier for the eye to catch, and harder to hide.

dpendzic · Jun 23, 2015

also laying the sheets horizontal results in less footage of seams to tape--more so if you use longer than 8 ft sheets

Greg K · Jun 23, 2015

Learn something new every day

. I had always been told the other reason but the other reasons fit too. Doesn't seem to be much of a reason to stand them up except for that's how you want to do it.

W_B · Jun 23, 2015

(quoted from post at 05:04:50 06/23/15) In order for the joint to "disappear" they must pull the compound straight across the box. They cannot stop and start at the box, it does not work out well for making the wall appear seamless.

Not to quibble too much, if a finisher can't stop and start when skimming a joint and not make a mess, he/she isn't much of a finisher. Leaving small or minimal lap marks is a hallmark of an experienced finisher. Former union trained commercial drywall finisher and finishing foreman here.

sotxbill · Jun 23, 2015

(quoted from post at 08:06:14 06/23/15) also laying the sheets horizontal results in less footage of seams to tape--more so if you use longer than 8 ft sheets

Sheets turned sideways contact more studs and creates stronger walls as well. Especially in hurricane and tornado areas where its required.

Pappy · Jun 23, 2015

On my house, switch boxes are placed 42" from the floor. Most of the houses I have worked on are the same. My in-laws house has the boxes 48" up and they are just awkward. 42 inches is much more convenient and no problem with tape joints.

bcdave · Jun 23, 2015

This Canadian was taught to install sheets on the side.
Dave

Married2Allis · Jun 23, 2015

(quoted from post at 08:59:45 06/23/15) This Canadian was taught to install sheets on the side.
Dave

How can you install drywall in an igloo?

dr sportster · Jun 23, 2015

I remember when I was a helper that happened and the journeyman I was working with smashed about forty holes in the wall looking for our boxes. That's not really my style I work with other trades in cooperation. But yes I have seen it.

bison · Jun 23, 2015

Well maybe i am just stupid but having the sheets upright makes for easier installation and the electrical boxes are most times cut in on a flat part of the sheets and as such should require no taping or mudding over as the covers will cover the cutout.
Anyway that is how my brother does it, he's been installing drywall for 30 odd years and the mudders love him cause everything fits like a glove.

dr sportster · Jun 23, 2015

An igloo supported by a couple hockey sticks.

buickanddeere · Jun 23, 2015

It's all stood around here with vertical seams.

Married2Allis · Jun 23, 2015

(quoted from post at 11:14:49 06/23/15) An igloo supported by a couple hockey sticks.

... with polar bears rooting through the garbage outside

Anyone encounter this?

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