Plasterboard can now be fixed to the wall using special expanding foam, popular makes include Fix All, Dry fix or Insta stick. This foam acts as a glue and is used to glue the plasterboard to the walls, it is handy if you only need to fix a couple of sheets but for larger jobs you may be better off using the dot & dab method. The foam is quick to cure and plastering can take a place a couple of hours after fixing using this method. You can use this method to fix regular plasterboard or insulated plasterboard, the foam is also useful for fixing insulation sheets such as when insulating a garage door.

 

plasterboard foam fixing

Position the first board ensuring it is level, here you can see that on the left of the sheet of plasterboard there is a laser level line, which aligns with the edge of the sheet. To get the sheet level you can use blocks of wood underneath and packing shims. Behind the plasterboard is a back-box for the light switch, the switch has been removed and the electricity has been isolated. When you are sure the sheet is in the correct position you can firmly smack the plasterboard around the back box which will leave an indentation.

plasterboard indentation

On the back of the board you can see the indentation.

plasterboard wall saw

Push the wall board saw through the plasterboard and proceed to cut out the hole.

plasterboard cut out

You should be left with something like this.

plasterboard fixing foam

Now lie the board flat on the floor. You can see that I have placed a piece of wood on the sheet here where the cable runs up the wall, this is so that none of the foam comes in contact with the cables. Apply the foam using an applicator gun and leave it for the time specified by the foam manufacturers.

spray wall with water

With most fixing foams you need to dampen the surface of the wall, here we are using a garden sprayer to damp the wall using cold clean water.

plasterboard on blocks

Lift the board back into position ensuring it is in the correct place and level. You can see that this board is packed up from the floor, after the foam has set the packers will be removed and a piece of plasterboard will be cut to attach to the bottom, but a gap of at least 2 inches will be left between it and the floor. This gap will be covered by skirting board and prevents and moisture from rising up the plasterboard.

level plasterboard

Push the board firmly against the wall and ensure that it is completely flat and level using a spirit level. Hold the board in position until the foam has set sufficiently (normally a couple of minutes) You can then move onto the next board.

Once the foam has set you can then tape the joints and then skim the boards- How to apply scrim tape | Plaster skimming

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