Q. I am interested in a career as a drywall worker.
Would you please send me some information
about entry-level skills needed? I also would like
to know about job openings and pay scales currently available.
A.
In your part of the country the first group to
investigate is the Architectural Contractor Trade
Association in Farmington Hills, Mich. Their
Web site, www.actmich.org, has a wealth of information about
apprenticeship programs available. There are two tracks you
might be interested in. The information below was taken from
ACTA’s Web site. The first is your primary area of interest.
“Drywall finishers are important members of the interior finishing
team. The drywall finisher ensures that all seams, angles,
corner beads and nail spots are finished and sanded smooth.
Finish work around critical lighting and architectural designs
are areas where unique techniques are used for reducing expansion, crowning, ridging and beveling edges of walls and ceilings.
This is necessary in creating a unified and seamless wall or ceiling
surface to which paint, wallcoverings or other decorative
finishes can be properly applied.
“Drywall finisher apprentices are trained in a two-year apprentice
program taught at the Painting and Drywall School in Hazel
Park, Mich. Those in the drywall trade must be especially aware
of safety due to their frequent use of ladders and scaffolding, as
well as often working in confined spaces. The ability to read blue-prints,
good mathematics aptitude and mastery of the architect’s
scale, as well as knowledge of the care and maintenance of the
specialized equipment used in the trade, are all part of the skill
and artistry of a successful drywall tradesmen.”
The other area you might want to explore is carpentry: “Carpenters
work in many different areas of the construction industry.
The need for carpenters is greatest in the field of new construction,
but many carpenters also work on modifying existing
structures or remodeling projects. Carpentry is a year-round occupation that requires skill with wood materials, metal framing,
flooring, lath and other fabrication techniques. The United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America offers a four
year apprentice training program to those who wish to enter the
carpentry trade.”
Q. Our next question comes from Gregg Yesko
with Gilbane, who was having a problem with
an overzealous inspector. The inspector was
looking at the finished drywall 12 inches from the surface of
the wall. Gregg wanted to know if there were standards for
inspecting finished surfaces. Well just so you know that I don’t
always take credit for the answers in this column, while I was
doing my research, Gregg came up with the answer.
A. So here’s to Gregg and the kind assistance of
Diana at the Painting and Decorating Contractors
of America. PDCA publishes Standard
PDCA P6-99 for the Acceptance of Completed Wallcovering Installations.
Article 5, paragraph 5.5 states the following:
“5.5 Upon completion, a visual inspection by the owner of
owner’s agent should occur in order to determine compliance
with this standard.
“5.5.1 The acceptability of the surface shall be determined when
viewed without magnification, at a distance of 5 feet or more,
under inspection lighting conditions, and from a normal viewing
position.
“5.5.1.1 Inspection lighting conditions will allow the finished
surface to be viewed with minimal distortion, which may be
caused by the quality of the substrate preparation and/or illumination
at an acute angle.”
By the way, Standard P-6 and other standards are available on
the PDCA Web site at www.pdca.com.
About the Author
Donald E. Smith, CCS, is AWCI’s director of technical services.
