How to open sheetrocked walls

[franksinatra]

I've done plenty of sheetrocking in my day but my experience with opening walls to run wires is zero. My goal is to cut a section of sheet rock out and keep from disturbing the plastic barrier. Once the Sheetrock is removed, I can then cut the plastic in the center, run my wires, tape it and have it properly sealed before adding new sheet rock. Anyone have some tips your willing to share?

 

[WWheeler]

You might be able to do what you want with a rotary tool with a sheetrock bit if you set the depth of cut right.

I've never had to worry about it as every place I've owned has been a lot older than any codes requiring a plastic vapor barrier between studs and sheetrock. Only thing right behind my sheetrock on an exterior wall is insulation.

 

[nine4gmc]

We don't have plastic here but I have been cutting from the center of one stud to the center of the next stud so the patch piece will have a place to screw. In other words, vertical cuts center two studs on either side and horizontal cuts connect them. Cut a patch that fits in.

 

[shoot summ]

I've seen it done a lot of ways.

6" hole saw works well, keep the plug and use it to patch the hole.

Oscillating tool works great too, make a cut out, then use the section you cut out to patch with.

You don't have to go stud to stud, get some 1/2" or 3/4" ply and cut some "fingers". Use drywall screws and attach the "fingers" around the opening, allowing them to protrude into the opening. These will support the patch, and give you something to screw to. Screw the patch to the "fingers", mud and tape, and you are good to go.

 

[franksinatra]

Thanks guys. Wheeler, that was my idea as well. If I could pull it out and leave the plastic in place, that would be ideal. I'm just finishing up my heater and then I'm getting me some outlets. Woohoo. I will try and get some pics so everyone can get a chuckle. Lol. It should work out ok.

 

[ishiboo]

Don't over think it. Sheet rock is air-tight when finished. Cut your hole, if you're **** tape the vapor barrier around the opening inside, and then patch as normal when you're done.

I've never seen anyone try and keep that much integrity on the vapor barrier.

 

[ard]

Kind of depends on what you are running and where.... for a receptable drop from an attic, just a hole for a box; flex bit to drill fire blocking; drill the top plate, and fish. No patching

Crossing studs you can also use a flex bit ...

 

[KDXSR5]

Here is a post made a while back for a similar post (OP wanting to add some outlet circuits):

My buddy and I did something somewhat similar in his garage for the same reason. His was taped and mudded drywall with no paint. What we did is take a circular saw set at 5/8 depth and cut out a 4 inch wide strip of drywall all the way around the garage and into the electric panel. This was really easy, but also very dusty. I recommend a face mask. We then put normal plastic boxes in and ran normal house wiring through holes drilled through the studs. We did two circuits with a GFCI as the first outlet on each. We then put the cut Sheetrock back in the exact spot it came out, minus the cut outs for the outlet boxes. This made for easy tape and mud. My buddy actually likes to finish drywall. He moved before we ever got around to painting. We thought this would be easier, cheaper, and look better than exposed conduit. Just another option. Good luck with your project! Post pictures and keep is updated.

No guarantee you will preserve the vapor barrier though. That may be difficult.

 

[ishiboo]

Don't use a circular saw, that's a mess. It takes like 40 seconds to cut out an outlet box with a jab saw. I almost never use a manual saw for wood (ONLY times recently I can think of are to square up a cut I started on a table saw or miter saw) but this is one instance where its just far easier to do it by hand.

Everything else sprays dust everywhere and unlike sawdust it's a pain to get rid of.

 

[KDXSR5]

Don't use a circular saw, that's a mess. It takes like 40 seconds to cut out an outlet box with a jab saw. I almost never use a manual saw for wood (ONLY times recently I can think of are to square up a cut I started on a table saw or miter saw) but this is one instance where its just far easier to do it by hand.

Everything else sprays dust everywhere and unlike sawdust it's a pain to get rid of.

The circular saw worked perfect for us. We were able to cut a 4 inch wide drywall strip out all the way around the garage at the correct depth with very little work. The extra clean up was not a huge deal.

 

[franksinatra]

I have done a bit of construction through the years, buddy is a contractor. I just know how hard we have worked in the past to maintain a seal on the barrier. I'm a bit picky but I'm trying to keep what the carpenters worked hard to achieve. On the other hand, it's really tough to gauge how well an exterior wall is sealed in the first place. I appreciate the ideas.

 

[ishiboo]

The circular saw worked perfect for us. We were able to cut a 4 inch wide drywall strip out all the way around the garage at the correct depth with very little work. The extra clean up was not a huge deal.

Oh sorry. I didn't see that you were cutting it all the way around. That would definitely not be fun with a jab saw!

Yeah I'd definitely use the circ then with someone holding the vacuum.

 

[ishiboo]

I have done a bit of construction through the years, buddy is a contractor. I just know how hard we have worked in the past to maintain a seal on the barrier. I'm a bit picky but I'm trying to keep what the carpenters worked hard to achieve. On the other hand, it's really tough to gauge how well an exterior wall is sealed in the first place. I appreciate the ideas.

You need to realize though that the drywall itself is an air barrier. In fact several building systems use "air tight drywall." It becomes an issue when you cut outlet boxes in it that are usually not completely sealed, and taped joints fail and everything else, but drywall sheets themselves are.

I understand where you're going with this, but you need to understand the complete building system and what you're exactly doing to know that cutting the vapor barrier to put a box in is not doing anything if you've sealed the box air tight when you're done, and if you haven't you've "damaged" the system (to a minimal effect) anyway.

 

[KDXSR5]

Oh sorry. I didn't see that you were cutting it all the way around. That would definitely not be fun with a jab saw!

Yeah I'd definitely use the circ then with someone holding the vacuum.

My explanation may not have been the best. I wish we took pictures because it would instantly make sense to just about anyone. With the 4 inch strip cut out, we were able to use a right angle drill to drill the studs to run wire. Mounting the boxes was simply a couple hammer whacks. Replacing the drywall was as simple as putting it back where it was cut out of, minus the width of the outlet box. We got lucky and hit zero drywall nails/screws when we did this.

 

[brownbagg]

hammer