4 important laws of GIB stopping

When it comes to GIB plasterboard stopping it is imperative to follow some fundamental rules to create a better-looking and long-lasting finish. This guide will help you to understand the four easy laws of GIB stopping so you can easily find a professional GIB Installer. Before you employ them, make sure to ask questions about their services and techniques. And, you will be easily able to find out any wrong practices with the help of this guide.

GIB fixer law – 1

Install GIB to prevent light falling directly across the plasterboard joins.

GIB plasterboard should be installed in a way that it doesn’t allow the light to fall directly the plasterboard joins.
This is usually accomplished by fixing the sheets so that the joins to run in a similar direction as the main source of light. In many cases, this means installing the GIB horizontally onto the walls. But sometimes light can also fall vertically on the surface such as in smaller or darker rooms or with skylights.

GIB fixer law – 2

Reduce the use of cut joins or butt

When two non-tapering ends meets together they form Butt joins. In order to minimize the formation of butt joins experts recommends to order particular GIB that easily fits to each wall and ceiling and use the longest practical sheet size. The framing members of sheet have the written instructions for the sheet layout. Thus, if you are confused about the sheet structure don’t worry and contact your plasterboard dealer and he will select an ideal layout according to the sheet layout.

Also, make sure to place the GIB above doors or windows, in cases where butt joins can be avoided without much difficult in some areas. Provided the condition should adhere to GIB fixer laws 3 and 4. Make sure that the butt joins in the ceilings are staggered so they are not properly visible.

GIB fixer law – 3

Ensure to keep the joins away from places prone to movement.
The places where a lot of moments occur, are generally more likely to get defected. Thus, GIB Fixers should prevent installing joins in these areas. Some common areas that are prone to movement are:

• Experts usually recommend to keep joining at least 200mm away from the corners of windows and doors so as to prevent cracking. As these areas are generally more prone to movement.
• The junctions between hallways and rooms.
• Another most common area in where GIB plasterboard can develop a problem is mezzanine floors or stairwells. In these areas long lengths of timber are used because of which the defects are easily visible. Basically, any timber contraction has an effect over a long distance due to long lengths of timber. The junctions between the two floors are also very prone to movement specifically when the building moves and lateral forces come into action. That’s why, experienced GIB fixers prevent creating joins around the junction of two floors.

GIB fixer law – 4

Use Back-blocking for stairwells and ceiling joins

Back-blocking is a technique of reinforcing plasterboard joints to minimize cracking and strengthening and stabilising the joins between board sheets. According to New Zealand GIB plasterboard standards black blocking should be always used in ceilings places where three or more joins occur. All the stairway walls and ceilings should be back-blocked with more than two joins running in a horizontal direction. This is because when the timber expands and shrink it reduces the chances of peaking.

Some of the GIB fixers also prefer to use standard setting compounds or contact adhesive. Despite being highly recommended by the plasterboard manufacturers and GIB fixers this technique is very rarely used. They prefer to use a highly adhesive plaster-based compound know as a cove bond in order to install back-blocks. The rigidity and strength of cove bond help in keeping the pressure off the join to avoid cracking.