what can old drywall be used for

What to Do with Leftover Drywall

• Recycle It. Drywall is essentially gypsum (calcium sulfate) and water spread on paper backing and kiln-fired in 4-ft. ...
• Repurpose It. You can also re-purpose drywall by peeling off the paper. ...
• Compost It. You can also add crushed drywall with the paper backing removed to your compost bin. ...
• Save It. ...

Full Answer

What to do with old drywall and gypsum?

Inquire about bulky materials via a recycling clearinghouse such as 1-800-RECYCLING. You can also re-purpose drywall by peeling off the paper. Just start at one corner and pull; it comes off pretty easily. Then crush the gypsum back into powder form and spread it on your garden or lawn. Gypsum can help improve soil structure and reduce erosion.

What can you do with drywall paper?

You can also re-purpose drywall by peeling off the paper. Just start at one corner and pull; it comes off pretty easily. Then crush the gypsum back into powder form and spread it on your garden or lawn. Gypsum can help improve soil structure and reduce erosion. You can also add crushed drywall with the paper backing removed to your compost bin.

What do you do with leftover drywall?

What to Do with Leftover Drywall 1 Recycle It. Drywall is essentially gypsum (calcium sulfate) and water that is spread on paper backing and kiln-fired in 4 x 8-foot- (or 10- or 12-foot) long sheets. 2 Repurpose It. ... 3 Compost It. ... 4 Save It. ... 5 Popular Videos

Why do we need drywall?

There are drywall panels that can hold up in increased moisture conditions. There is drywall that resists mold growth. There is drywall that resists indentation for use in high traffic or high abuse areas. There is drywall specifically designed for elevator shaft application where fire protection is extremely critical.

Why should we recycle drywall?

Drywall can be recycled into new products, thereby: Creating business opportunities. Saving money for builders, contractors, and home renovators. Helping local governments meet their goal of reducing disposal by 50 percent.

How long does it take drywall to decompose?

Drywall takes around a few months to up to 10 or more years to decompose completely. In ideal landfill conditions, with little to no oxygen and moisture, drywall can take up to 10 years to break down.

Can drywall be used as a soil amendment?

Users of ground wallboard for crop production reduce disposal costs and reap the agronomic benefit of the material. Gypsum is used in agriculture as a fertilizer and as a soil amendment. Both calcium and sulfur are essential plant nutrients. Gypsum is not a liming material and will not increase soil pH.

Can you burn drywall scraps?

It is not safe to burn drywall. According to the Environmental Working Group, drywall made before 2016 and drywall manufactured in other countries have had very few regulations. In some instances, they've found harmful additives like sulfur in them. Burning gypsum board drywall could release toxic fumes into the air.

Can you bury old drywall?

Is it okay to bury drywall on site at all, and if so, what's the proper way to do it? A. Alex Wilson, editor of Environmental Building News in Brattleboro, Vt., responds: You're right that it's not a good idea to simply bury scrap drywall in a hole.

Is drywall toxic to the environment?

One significant problem with drywall is that it produces smelly and potentially lethal hydrogen sulfide gas when left to decompose in landfills. It can also leach dangerous sulfates into the groundwater supply. An estimated 75% of drywall ends up in landfills, but efforts are increasing to promote recycling.

Does drywall make good fertilizer?

Drywall was found to be a good compost additive for reclaimed land sites because it is decomposable and full of nutrients.

What can I do with leftover drywall mud?

How to Dispose of Drywall MudOption 1: Bring It to a C&D Drop-off Center. ... Option 2: Put It with Your Regular Garbage. ... Using a Vacuum to Dispose Drywall Mud Dust. ... Protecting Yourself As You Dispose of Old Drywall Mud. ... Step 1: Clean the Container. ... Step 2: Level it Off. ... Step 3: Add Water. ... Step 4: Store It Properly.More items...

Does drywall dissolve in water?

Gypsum is sparingly soluble (the reason wallboard gets soft but does not immediately dissolve when it gets wet, at least if only damp occasionally).

What's the difference in sheetrock and drywall?

Drywall is a flat panel made of gypsum plaster sandwiched in between two sheets of thick paper. It adheres to metal or wood studs using nails or screws. Sheetrock is a specific brand of drywall sheet. These terms are often used interchangeably.

Does sheetrock make good landfill?

While neither gypsum nor paper are inherently toxic, the materials are known to provide a rich breeding ground for microorganisms to grow. When introduced to organic matter in a landfill, these microorganisms convert the sulfate in gypsum into hydrogen sulfide, a rather foul-smelling and potentially lethal gas.

Can you compost drywall?

Drywall was found to be a good compost additive for reclaimed land sites because it is decomposable and full of nutrients. It's not out of a zombie film but it's close: used drywall can help bring dead soils back to life, according to a new University of Alberta study.

Does sheetrock make good landfill?

While neither gypsum nor paper are inherently toxic, the materials are known to provide a rich breeding ground for microorganisms to grow. When introduced to organic matter in a landfill, these microorganisms convert the sulfate in gypsum into hydrogen sulfide, a rather foul-smelling and potentially lethal gas.

Can drywall go in the recycle bin?

Unless you can recycle or repurpose it, it's best to get rid of leftover drywall. Garbage haulers generally will take it if it's broken down and bagged up. If you are keeping some, store it in a dry space, since drywall (expect for the special mold-resistant kind) is a hospitable host for mold and mildew.

Does gypsum decompose?

Sulfate-reducing bacteria convert sulfates to toxic hydrogen sulphide gas; they are killed by exposure to air, but the moist, airless, carbon-containing environment in a landfill is a good habitat for them. So gypsum put into landfill will decompose, releasing up to a quarter of its weight in hydrogen sulfide.

How can I recycle drywall?

Since gypsum has so many uses (including making new drywall), it is relatively easy to recycle. Recyclers remove any contaminants, such as screws and nails, and separate the paper from the gypsum. The gypsum can then be ground into a powder or turned into pellets. The resulting material is sold to manufacturers that use gypsum for different applications. Some paper usually stays mixed in with the gypsum, which affects its ability to resist fire. For that reason states limits the amount of recycled drywall that can go into new drywall. However, this previously used material still makes a good garden supplement. The hard thing for the average homeowner is figuring out where to take drywall for recycling. If you have a contractor involved in your remodeling project, he or she may have ideas and resources. Just make sure that person knows about your desire to have items like drywall recycled — preferably before you hire them. Drywall cannot be recycled through curbside programs, but your community may have a bulky waste program for larger items. These collection programs typically operate one of two ways: by appointment or on a regular collection schedule. Contact your local solid waste district to see if it offers a bulky collection service and how it works. You should also inquire whether your community’s bulky waste collection program will take construction materials (as some do not) and if they recycle them or simply landfill them. In some communities it is possible to take drywall and other construction materials to a local recycling center. Use 1-800-RECYCLING’s recycle search tool to find a drywall recycler near you, then check with the recycler to find out if it has any special requirements. Some recycling centers will only take unused drywall, while others will take demolition materials. Stores that sell used building materials, such as Habitat for Humanity ReStores, may be able to take unused drywall. Call your local ReStore to see if it will accept it.

What is drywall made of?

The primary component in modern drywall (also known as plasterboard, wallboard and by the brand name Sheetrock) is gypsum, a naturally occurring substance made of calcium sulfate and water . Calcium sulfate is found in ancient seabeds that have dried up, leaving rich deposits of sulfates behind. Gypsum is naturally fire resistant, making it a perfect material for home construction. When combined with water, gypsum makes a paste that can easily be applied to surfaces or modeled into shapes (for example, the long panels that form your walls). To make drywall panels, gypsum is combined with thickening agents, spread on top of long sheets of paper and dried in a kiln. The most common size for drywall sheets is 4 feet wide by 8 feet long, although they also come in 10-foot and 12-foot lengths. While drywall is the most common item made from gypsum, the material has several other uses. Gypsum is great for neutralizing the pH of acidic soils. It helps retain water in sandy soils and it softens clay soils. Composters and fertilizer manufacturers often include it in their products because of its soil amendment properties, and cement makers use it to keep cement from setting too quickly.

What happens if you landfill drywall?

If drywall gets wet, the sulfates in the gypsum can leach into ground water and cause diarrhea if consumed. Wet gypsum can also emit hydrogen sulfite under the right conditions.

How much drywall is recycled in California?

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery reports that 15 million tons of drywall is produced in the U.S. every year. Only a fraction of that drywall ends up being recycled because many people are unsure where to take it.

What is gypsum used for?

Gypsum is great for neutralizing the pH of acidic soils. It helps retain water in sandy soils and it softens clay soils. Composters and fertilizer manufacturers often include it in their products because of its soil amendment properties, and cement makers use it to keep cement from setting too quickly.

What is the most common size of drywall?

The most common size for drywall sheets is 4 feet wide by 8 feet long , although they also come in 10-foot and 12-foot lengths. While drywall is the most common item made from gypsum, the material has several other uses. Gypsum is great for neutralizing the pH of acidic soils.

Can paper be mixed with gypsum?

Some paper usually stays mixed in with the gypsum, which affects its ability to resist fire. For that reason states limits the amount of recycled drywall that can go into new drywall. However, this previously used material still makes a good garden supplement.

What is the advantage of drywall?

One important advantage that drywall offers is the presence of tapered edges on the long edges of drywall sheets that, when joined together, form a shallow recess for drywall tape and joint compound that allows for invisible finished joints. There is also an ECO board made from recycled material to create drywall that looks like concrete.

What is soundproof drywall made of?

Soundproof drywall is composed of laminated drywall made with a mix of wood fibers, gypsum, and polymers increasing the STC (sound transmission class).

What is Type X drywall?

Type X drywall is made with special noncombustible fibers.

What is blue board drywall?

Blue board drywall is also known as plaster baseboard. Blue board is used for veneer plastering, and the surface paper has special absorption qualities.

What is the thickness of drywall?

It probably is the most economic drywall type and comes in different sizes ranging in thickness from 3/8 inches to one inch. This is the most common type used and is normally available in four by eight foot panels.

Is blue board drywall good for mud?

It has a high water and mold resistance and there are fewer steps involved in veneer plastering. Blue board drywall is not made for mud, tape, or paint. It works extremely well in bathrooms or places with a lot of moisture and helps reduce noise.

Is purple drywall the same as regular drywall?

Purple drywall offers the same advantages as regular drywall, but with superior moisture- and mold-resistant characteristics.

What is drywall used for?

In addition to the variety in lengths and widths available there are different types of gypsum board for different applications. Fire retardant drywall panels are used in nearly every type of construction. There are drywall panels that can hold up in increased moisture conditions. There is drywall that resists mold growth. There is drywall that resists indentation for use in high traffic or high abuse areas. There is drywall specifically designed for elevator shaft application where fire protection is extremely critical.

When was dry wall invented?

Drywall is an invention of the 20th century. Today, it is an essential part of residential and commercial construction.

Why is plaster more expensive than drywall?

As a result of the increased labor involved, plaster work is much more expensive than drywall. This is the primary reason that more and more builders started using drywall in new construction. Following WWII, several factors combined to create a real estate expansion that accelerated the use of drywall.

What is fire retardant drywall?

Fire retardant drywall panels are used in nearly every type of construction. There are drywall panels that can hold up in increased moisture conditions. There is drywall that resists mold growth. There is drywall that resists indentation for use in high traffic or high abuse areas.

What is the term for a thin strip of wood that is nailed over bare studs?

To plaster a home, thin strips of wood, called lath, were nailed over bare studs. When installing wood lath , a quarter inch to a half inch gap was left between each strip of wood. A base coat of plaster was then spread over the lath to create a foundation.

Where did plaster originate?

Plaster has been around for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians burnt gypsum in open air fires to produce plaster. The Greeks and Romans used plaster for architecture and decorative sculpture. Plaster sculptures were found when excavating the ancient city of Pompeii. Plaster is found throughout middle eastern architecture. The Babylonians lived in houses with plaster walls. The Abuhav Synagogue Tzfat in Israel features extensive plaster work. Plaster is even found in Japanese architecture. Why has drywall replaced plaster in most construction applications? How did this transition take place?

When was plaster used in construction?

In the 19th century, plaster was used extensively in residential construction. By the early 20th century, plaster was still the industry standard was used extensively in both residential and commercial construction. Most homes built in the eastern seaboard and midwest have plaster throughout. But that gradually changed in the 1940's and 1950's.

What are the plants that are used in drywall?

The resulting mixtures were then added at four application rates to different soils—agricultural soil, urban soil and tailings sand—and seeded with three plants: vivar barley, adanac slender wheatgrass and rocky mountain fescue.

Does grinding drywall produce better results?

Naeth and her team also found that grinding drywall did not produce significantly greater results than simply using coarse chunks. However, the most significant takeaway from the research, Naeth said, is the importance of repurposing materials that would normally be thrown out.

Is drywall good for composting?

Drywall makes good composting material, study shows. Research assistant Helene Marcoux monitors the growth of plants in drywall compost mixes. Drywall was found to be a good compost additive for reclaimed land sites because it is decomposable and full of nutrients.

Does drywall bring dead soil back to life?

It's not out of a zombie film but it's close: used drywall can help bring dead soils back to life, according to a new University of Alberta study. M. Anne Naeth, a researcher with the Department of Renewable Resources, and her team wondered whether drywall, with its decomposable materials chock-full of nutrients, ...

Does drywall compost have the same effect as other composts?

The team found that applying drywall compost had the same effects as other typical composts, with higher plant yields. Drywall biosolids compost applied at an appropriate rate resulted in greater plant biomass than biosolids compost without drywall.

Put up a Paint Station

This Old House master carpenter Norm Abram screws one drywall screw through each corner of a scrap board and rests cabinet doors he’s just painted on the four points for a makeshift drying rack.

Replace a Punch

If you’re trying to drill a hole in a tile, but the drill bit keeps “walking”, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva gently taps a 2-inch drywall screw with a hammer to create a chip. This keeps the drill bit in place and helps masonry bits get started.

Snake a Sink

With threads so toothy they snag on fibers, a drywall screw tied to a string and twirled in a drain can clear a mild hair clog.

Craft a Trammel

Tom Silva fashions his from the points of two screws driven through a strip of wood. By spacing them as wide as his proposed radius, he can scratch a perfect arc or circle.

Pilot a Hole

In lieu of a 1⁄8-inch starter bit, a drywall screw will pre-drill an easy path for larger hand-turned hooks, eye screws, and lag bolts in a pinch.

Silence a Squeak

For creaking floors beneath the carpet, find where the floor meets a joist, then put a 2-inch drywall screw an inch and a half into it through the carpet. A sharp, glancing blow with a hammer will snap off the head safely below the carpet’s pile.

Substitute For a Stopper

Twist a drywall screw into the nozzle of a tube of glue or caulk to clear and seal it; leave it in for a top that screws off.