The Gypsum Association (GA, www.gypsum.org) publishes the gypsum industry reference guide GA-216-2016: Application & Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products, which describes industry recommendations for the proper installation and finishing of gypsum board or drywall, including related accessories, over a variety of substrates and framing. GA-216-2016: Application & Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products is for numerous project stakeholders, such as contractors, installers, owners, architects, specifiers, code officials, etc.
First, GA-216-2016: Application & Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products, Section 4, Application of Gypsum Panel Products – General Provisions provide the following industry recommendations about the application and finishing of drywall in weather conditions, low temperatures and relative humidity (RH): “During periods of cold or damp weather, when vapor retarder sheeting is installed on ceilings behind the gypsum panel product, the ceiling batt or blanket insulation shall be installed BEFORE the gypsum panel product is installed.”
Second, GA-216-2016: Application & Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products, Section 4, Application of Gypsum Panel Products – General Provisions warn that “…failure to follow this procedure creates a potential for moisture condensation on the back side of the gypsum panel product and possible ceiling sag.” The gypsum industry reference guide refers to Appendix, A.2 Precautions to Minimize Potential of Sagging. Accordingly, weather conditions, low temperatures and relative humidity (RH) impact the quality of drywall work results.
Third, GA-216-2016: Application & Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products, Section 18, Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products state that drying-type compounds shall be allowed to dry thoroughly (see Table 1 in GA-236-2016: Joint Treatment Under Extreme Weather Conditions) before sanding or the application of additional coats. GA-236-2016: Joint Treatment Under Extreme Weather Conditions cautions against project stakeholders’ reliance on moisture meters or visual observations to check for drywall joint dryness.
(Source: Gypsum Association, GA-216-2016: Application & Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products)
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