Drywall And Ceiling Tile Installers

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

Description

Apply plasterboard or other wallboard to ceilings or interior walls of buildings. Apply or mount acoustical tiles or blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing materials to ceilings and walls of buildings to reduce or reflect sound. Materials may be of decorative quality. Includes lathers who fasten wooden, metal, or rockboard lath to walls, ceilings or partitions of buildings to provide support base for plaster, fire-proofing, or acoustical material.

Tasks

Measure and mark surfaces to lay out work, according to blueprints or drawings, using tape measures, straightedges or squares, and marking devices.
Read blueprints or other specifications to determine methods of installation, work procedures, or material or tool requirements.
Fit and fasten wallboard or drywall into position on wood or metal frameworks, using glue, nails, or screws.
Hang dry lines to wall moldings to guide positioning of main runners.
Measure and cut openings in panels or tiles for electrical outlets, windows, vents, plumbing, or other fixtures, using keyhole saws or other cutting tools.
Hang drywall panels on metal frameworks of walls and ceilings in offices, schools, or other large buildings, using lifts or hoists to adjust panel heights when necessary.
Assemble or install metal framing or decorative trim for windows, doorways, or vents.
Coordinate work with drywall finishers who cover the seams between drywall panels.
Trim rough edges from wallboard to maintain even joints, using knives.
Cut and screw together metal channels to make floor or ceiling frames, according to plans for the location of rooms or hallways.
Inspect furrings, mechanical mountings, or masonry surfaces for plumbness and level, using spirit or water levels.
Cut fixture or border tiles to size, using keyhole saws, and insert them into surrounding frameworks.
Cut metal or wood framing and trim to size, using cutting tools.
Install horizontal and vertical metal or wooden studs to frames so that wallboard can be attached to interior walls.
Scribe and cut edges of tile to fit walls where wall molding is not specified.
Fasten metal or rockboard lath to the structural framework of walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings, using nails, screws, staples, or wire-ties.
Suspend angle iron grids or channel irons from ceilings, using wire.
Seal joints between ceiling tiles and walls.
Mount tile, using adhesives, or by nailing, screwing, stapling, or wire-tying lath directly to structural frameworks.
Install blanket insulation between studs and tack plastic moisture barriers over insulation.
Install metal lath where plaster applications will be exposed to weather or water, or for curved or irregular surfaces.
Apply cement to backs of tiles and press tiles into place, aligning them with layout marks or joints of previously laid tile.
Nail channels or wood furring strips to surfaces to provide mounting for tile.
Wash concrete surfaces before mounting tile to increase adhesive qualities of surfaces, using washing soda and zinc sulfate solution.
Apply or mount acoustical tile or blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing materials to ceilings or walls of buildings to reduce reflection of sound or to decorate rooms.
Remove existing plaster, drywall, or paneling, using crowbars and hammers.

Knowledge

Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Skills

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Abilities

Arm-Hand Steadiness: The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Trunk Strength: The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Near Vision: The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Extent Flexibility: The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Gross Body Equilibrium: The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Visualization: The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Work Activities

Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Work Context

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls: How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Spend Time Standing: How much does this job require standing?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate: How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Spend Time Walking and Running: How much does this job require walking and running?
Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body: How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
Contact With Others: How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Time Pressure: How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
Exposed to High Places: How often does this job require exposure to high places?
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions: How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
Work With Work Group or Team: How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Interests

Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Style

Dependability: Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail: Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Leadership: Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Initiative: Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Cooperation: Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Independence: Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Integrity: Job requires being honest and ethical.
Achievement/Effort: Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Persistence: Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Adaptability/Flexibility: Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Work Values

Support: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Achievement: Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Related Occupations

Construction Carpenters

Tile and Marble Setters

Tapers

Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

Lay Titles

Acoustical Carpenter

Acoustical Ceiling Installer

Acoustical Ceiling Mechanic

Acoustical Ceiling Technician

Carpenter

Ceiling Installer

Dry Wall Installer

Drywall Applicator

Drywall Boardhanger

Drywall Finisher

Drywall Hanger

Drywall Mechanic

Drywall Metal Stud Worker

Drywall Sander

Drywall Stripper

Drywall Taper

Drywall Worker

Drywaller

Exterior Interior Specialist

Framer

Furrer

Lath Hand

Lather

Lather Apprentice

Metal Framer

Metal Furrer

Metal Lather

Metal Stud Framer

Plaster Lather

Rock Lather

Rockboard Lather

Sheet Rock Applicator

Sheet Rock Applier

Sheet Rock Finisher

Sheet Rock Hanger

Sheet Rock Installer

Sheet Rock Layer

Sheet Rock Nailer

Sheet Rock Sander

Sheet Rock Worker

Sheet Rocker

Sheetrock Applicator

Sheetrock Hanger

Sheetrock Installer

Wire Lather

Wood Lather

National Wages and Employment Info

Median Wages (2008):: $17.89 hourly, $37,210 annual.

Employment (2008):: 75,810 employees