Sanding drywall is a necessary step in finishing drywall installations and repairs. However, it creates a huge mess of fine drywall dust that spreads easily throughout the room. Containing and controlling the dust makes the job much cleaner and easier. With some simple techniques and tools, you can significantly reduce dust when sanding drywall.
Use Proper Protective Gear
Wearing the right protective gear is essential to contain drywall dust and prevent inhalation. Be sure to use:
- Dust mask or respirator – Use an N95 dust mask or respirator to prevent breathing in fine particulates. Make sure it fits tightly to create a good seal around your nose and mouth.
- Eye protection – Goggles or safety glasses prevent drywall dust from getting in your eyes which can be painful and cause vision issues.
- Hat or head covering – Drywall dust gets everywhere, including your hair and scalp. Cover your head to keep dust out.
- Coveralls – Wear coveralls or old clothes to keep dust off your regular clothes and skin. The less exposed skin, the better.
- Gloves – Gloves protect your hands and prevent drywall dust from absorbing into the skin. Lightweight nitrile or latex gloves work well.
Proper protective gear keeps the mess contained to your work clothes and prevents drywall dust issues after the job. Change and wash dust-filled clothes separately after finishing sanding.
Prepare the Room
Take some time to prepare the room before starting sanding to help control dust and contain the mess:
- Cover the floor with plastic sheeting, secured with tape. This catches fallen dust and provides an easy-to-clean surface underneath.
- Seal off doorways and ventilation ducts with plastic sheeting to prevent dust spreading to other rooms. Use painters tape for a tight seal.
- Remove furniture and belongings from the room to prevent contamination. Anything remaining should be completely covered and sealed off.
- Turn off any HVAC systems serving the room to avoid spreading dust throughout ventilation ducts.
Proper preparation traps dust in the room where sanding is being performed. It also protects other rooms and allows for easier clean up later.
Use Dust Containment Tools
Specialized tools are available to contain and collect drywall dust produced during sanding:
- Dust containment shrouds – Shrouds attach around the perimeter of sanding blocks and poles. They surround the sanded surface to capture dust which can be vacuumed.
- Sanding sponges – Sponge-backed sandpaper traps dust produced during sanding within the pores for easy cleanup. However, sponges clog over time lowering efficiency.
- Dustless drywall sanders – Specialized power sanders connect to shop vacuums and feature built-in containment systems to vacuum up dust as it is produced.
- Portable dust collectors – Larger units with high-performance filters trap fine dust particles produced by power sanding tools. The filtered air can sometimes be recirculated back into the room.
Containment tools allow sanding drywall with much less airborne dust. They greatly reduce the mess created during the sanding process.
Use a Shop Vacuum
An ordinary shop vacuum with a fine dust filter bag is a simple solution for containing drywall dust. Attach nylon stockings over the end of the hose to catch the finest particles the filter misses. Maintain suction by frequently dumping the collection bag or canister outside.
Strategically position the vacuum nozzle right next to the sanding surface to capture released dust immediately. This prevents it from becoming airborne and spreading. Move the vacuum head in sync with sanding block or power sander movements.
Let the vacuum run for some time after finishing sanding to clear fine settled dust still in the air. A shop vacuum dramatically improves dust collection compared to sanding without any dust collection.
Sand by Hand Instead of Power Sanding
Sanding drywall by hand rather than power tools significantly reduces the amount of fine airborne dust produced. Manual sanding blocks don’t grind away material as aggressively as power Sanders which churn out clouds of dust.
Hand sanding takes more time and effort but the tradeoff is much less mess to deal with. Use lightweight blocks for overhead work to avoid tiring out arms and shoulders quickly. Sand in smooth even strokes using moderate pressure to gradually smooth and level the drywall.
Finish hand sanding with fine grit paper – 180 or 220 grit for final dust reduction and a smooth finish. combining hand and power tool sanding also helps control the dust levels for each stage.
Apply Drywall Primer Before Final Sanding
Applying drywall primer before a final light sanding seals the porous surface to contain released dust. Use an airless paint sprayer and back-rolling method for full coverage. Allow the primer to fully dry overnight before sanding.
Use 220 grit paper for finish sanding over the primed surface. The sealed pores prevent fine dust particles from becoming airborne. Vacuum the surface afterward to remove any minimal dust released.
Priming first results in virtually no airborne dust from finish sanding. It allows a clean, mess-free final sanding step to smooth the primed surfaces. This method provides superior dust control.
Wet Sanding Drywall
Wet sanding is a very effective way to eliminate drywall dust. Simply wet the surface before sanding and periodically rewet as needed. Use a spray bottle filled with clean water and mist the area just ahead of sanding.
The water traps released particles, preventing them from billowing into the air. Simply wipe the dust-laden slurry off the wall with rags or use wet/dry vacuuming to remove it.
Take safety precautions against electrical shock when wet sanding near light fixtures, outlets, and switches. Consider covering nearby electrics with plastic beforehand. Wet sanding drastically cuts down on airborne dust.
Clean Up Thoroughly After Sanding
Thoroughly cleaning the room after finishing all drywall sanding is important for controlling leftover dust:
- Use a fine filter shop vacuum to clean all surfaces, corners, crevices, and even lighting fixtures of drywall dust. Don’t forget ceiling fans and their blades.
- Wipe down all remaining surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth. This picks up the lightest residual dust the vacuum misses.
- Finish by damp mopping floors thoroughly. Use a high-quality dust mop to capture all remaining settled dust.
- Remove protective sheeting carefully to avoid spreading dust. Fold inward and discard outside.
- Change out of coveralls and work clothes and wash separately. Shower and wash hair to remove any remaining dust.
Thorough cleaning prevents drywall dust issues after the sanding is completed. It contains the mess to the job itself. Proper cleanup after sanding is just as important as during sanding for controlling drywall dust.
Avoid Drywall Dust When Possible
- Use pre-finished drywall panels or veneer plaster systems that don’t require sanding
- Hire professional drywall finishing crews experienced with dust containment
- Schedule drywall work during mild weather when doors and windows can be opened for ventilation
- Seal HVAC ducts and protect nearby rooms from dust infiltration
Completely avoiding drywall sanding dust is difficult. But steps can be taken to reduce reliance on sanding and the resulting dust. Consider alternative products, contractors, weather conditions, and containment measures to limit dust issues.
Drywall Sanding Dust Reduction Tips
- Work in small sections to vacuum dust before it spreads
- Keep sanding sponges clean of clogged dust
- Change vacuum bag/filter often to maintain suction
- Don’t spread dust – discard coveralls properly
- Smooth finishes = less sanding and dust
- Use respiratory protection properly for best effectiveness
Follow these tips throughout the drywall sanding project to continually reduce and control dust. Small diligent steps during the process make the cleanup much easier in the end. Staying ahead of the spreading dust is key.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reducing Drywall Dust
How do you keep dust down when sanding drywall?
Use tools designed to contain and collect dust like shrouds, sanding sponges, dustless sanders, and portable collectors. Also, sand by hand instead of power tools when possible. Wet sanding, priming first, and proper cleanup also help control dust.
What is the best sander for drywall dust?
Dustless drywall sanders that connect to shop vacuums work the best. They contain the dust right at the sander head and vacuum it up before becoming airborne. Some models recirculate filtered air back to the room minimizing overall dust.
How do you vacuum drywall dust?
Use a shop vacuum with a fine dust filter bag and nylon stockings over the intake. Position the vacuum nozzle right next to the sanding location to capture dust immediately. Move it in sync with sanding motions. Frequently empty the collection bag outside.
Can you wet sand drywall before painting?
Yes, wet sanding drywall before painting is an excellent way to reduce dust. The water prevents released particles from becoming airborne. Be sure electrical circuits are protected and dry before sanding. Allow surfaces to fully dry before priming and painting.
What grit sandpaper for final drywall sanding?
For final drywall sanding, use fine 180 or 220 grit sandpaper. The finer grit produces less dust and scratches for a smooth finish. Hand sanding with the finest grit also reduces dust versus more aggressive power sanding.
Conclusion
Sanding drywall generates huge amounts of messy dust that spreads easily. Containing the dust during sanding and cleaning up properly afterward makes the job much less intrusive. Following simple drywall dust reduction techniques keeps the dust under control. Protective gear, containment tools, hand sanding, priming first, and wet sanding all significantly lower drywall sanding dust. With proper planning and diligent precise work, drywall finishing can be a much tidier process. Implementing these practical dust reduction tips makes sanding drywall faster, healthier, and less disruptive.