Glue for drywall: Better hold, fewer nail pops

While not strictly necessary, using adhesive for drywall is a smart and effective extra that will result in a better job done. Using glue for drywall on the studs or joists before hanging each sheet aids the nails or screws in the field of the board to support the weight. This results in a more solid installation, with less chance of cracks, nail pops, or loose sheets down the road.

Using adhesive for drywall is very straightforward. Follow the steps below:

1. Measure and cut a piece of drywall and have it ready to hang.
2. Insert the glue canister into the gun, cut the end to the appropriate size and angle, and puncture the foil seal inside the nozzle.
3. Mark the stud or joist that the sheet will end on, but don’t apply glue to that one, as it will make a mess and squeeze out of the seam when the next sheet is installed.
4. Apply a bead of glue to the other studs that the piece of drywall will cover. No need to apply glue all the way to the edges. About two-thirds of the width of the board will be plenty.
5. Install the sheet of drywall. Many professionals use nails at the edges but only screws in the field of the board. When using glue, you will need less in the field, but you will still need at least two per stud. (In some places, local codes will determine how many fasteners are needed.)

So, you can see that not much extra work is involved, but the advantages are well worth it. Nail pops and loose sheets of drywall, especially on ceilings, are major reasons for repairs later on. Using adhesive for drywall goes a long way toward preventing these problems.

You can also glue drywall to a brick wall, cinder block wall, or poured concrete wall.

1. Measure and cut your next piece.
2. Apply “globs” of adhesive to the wall, evenly spaced, about a foot apart. This is most commonly known as the drywall adhesive dot and dab method.
3. Press the drywall against the wall and use masonry nails to anchor the sheet until the glue dries.