How to Replace Fiberglass and Drywall Near a Water Heater

The drywall knives

By Gary Boutin  
Helpers: Carl N. and David V.               

Supplies and Tools: 
Cordless drills 12 volt and 18 volt 
Drywall knives
Drywall screws - coarse
Electrical plates
Fiberglass rolls R19 
Hammer claw with rubber grip
Hammer staple with extra staples
Mud pan
Joint compound
Paper tape
Paint cans 
Sanding screens
Tool belts  

Mrs. Stone wanted her garage walls repaired. She had the city place a new water heater in her garage, and each step needed to be inspected. The water heater had to replace and fiberglass needed to be installed in the walls. There were three area that needed to be inspected. He needed to inspected the installation of the fiberglass, the installation of  the new sheetrock around the water heater and finely the painting of the garage walls. The painting was going to be done by another contractor.

This post shows the nine steps to replace fiberglass ans drywall  by the water heater. Now the home owner was able to get insurance for the garage.

Step 1: Fig.1 shows the new fiberglass rolls R-19 purchased at a warehouse store. Including supplies coarse drywall screws, paper tape, 1/2 inch drywall, joint compound and sanding screens.

Fig.1 Garage fiberglass rolls

Step 2: Fig.2 through fig.8 shows the walls were inspected and repaired of any small wall damage. This includes removing all the nails and staples from the wood studs. This was done to have a smooth surface when the new sheetrock was placed on the wall studs.

Fig.2 Removing nails

Fig.3 Heater wall repair

Step 3: Fig.4 through fig.8 shows Carl placing several metal plates were needed to cover the electrical wires and or water pipes. Some area were sprayed with paint.  

Claw hammer used to remove large nails

Fig.5 Checking existing fiberglass

Fig.6 Carl checking ABS drains pipping

Fig.7 Removing 16D stud nails

Fig.8 Finishing simple repair

Step 4: Fig.9 and fig.10 shows that the installation of the fiberglass into the walls that have no existing fiberglass and staple the edges to the wood studs. Some of the existing fiberglass was too damaged and needed new fiberglass added to the wall.

Fig.9 Fiberglass by water heater

Fig.10 By water heater

Step 5: Fig.11 through fig.12 shows the metal plates are hammered into the studs that protect the electrical wiring inside the wall. The electrical plate prevents a nail or screw from getting herself into any live electrical wiring, or water, drain pipes.

Fig.11 Fiberglass in wall

Fig.12 Adding electrical metal plates

Step 6: Fig.13 shows that some parts of the wall have large ABS pipes in them and its important to know were they are but not put in a screw into the pipe.

Fig.13 Electrical plates

Step 7: Fig.14 through fig.15 shows Carl and David installing wallboard over the new fiberglass. Some of the wallboard are large pieces and some are small pieces. It's like a jigsaw puzzle that both Carl and David had to solve.  

Fig.14 Repair water heater wall

Fig.15 David and Carl work on wall

Step 8: Fig.16 through fig.17 shows Carl doing some special measurements for drywall behind the water heater. Some pieces like fig.18 needed to be measured and cut to fit around the water piping.

Fig.16 Carl at water heater

Fig.17 Carl measuring area around water heater

Fig.18 Custom water heater piece

Step 9: Fig.19 through fig.21 show the wall pieces have their first coat of drywall joint compound. And now the job finished.

Fig.19 Joint compound dried

Fig.20 New wall piece added to wall

Fig.21

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