How To Use Drywall Stilts Without Hurting Yourself

When roofers start a new job, they need to maneuver and utilize the ladder properly. Additionally, they’ll need to secure themselves onto the base. You can apply the same principles to drywall stilts. Here’s how to use drywall stilts without hurting yourself.

Drywall Stilts

Drywall stilts are one of the more advanced tools in the contracting business. Their invention has helped to revolutionize some areas of the drywalling business. Instead of relying on a ladder or a drywall bench, the stilts allow contractors to tape ceilings at any angle.

A drywall bench is a great tool because it offers more room than a step ladder. You can turn your body without causing too much strain. But the stilts are even more efficient because they move with you. Once you adjust them to your legs and feet, you can start moving around the site relatively easily. Your hands are free aside from your taping tools.

Putting On the Drywall Stilts

Before placing the stilts on your feet that day, you’ll want to grab your measuring tape. Measure the height of the ceiling so that you know what setting to place the stilts on. Basements with low ceilings will probably require you to adjust the stilts to the lowest setting.

Because you’re elevating yourself to a great height, it’s important to stand near a secure surface as you place the stilts on your feet. Lean up again a wall and slide one foot in at a time. Once you have your first foot inside the first stilt, use the buckles on the side to strap yourself in.

At the top of the equipment, you’ll notice another set of straps to secure around your calf just below your knee. You want to the straps tight but not to the point it messes with your circulation. Having your legs or feet fall asleep while working on the stilts will surely cause an accident that could escalate quickly.

Never buckle the straps around your knees because doing so could cause an accident. You need mobility while wearing the stilts. Manufacturers designed the stilts to make your life easier. If at any point it feels like you’re overworking yourself in them, you’ll need to adjust them.

Adjusting the Stilts

All drywall stilts have two tubes inside them. In each one, there are vertical lines with bolt holes through them. Next, you’ll find two adjustment bolts that hold the stilts securely. Whenever you need to adjust the heights of the stilts, remove the bolts.

Removing the bolts allows you to move the tubes up and down until you reach the setting where you need the stilts. Align the inside and the outside tube perfectly before placing the bolts back inside. Make sure both stilts are at the same height to avoid one leg being higher than the other. If you feel the slightest difference, step out of them and fix the heights.

Remember to get the measurement of the ceiling before adjusting the stilts. If you move to another location that requires new adjustments, step out of the stilts first. Never try and adjust to your desired height while wearing them. You might run the risk of losing your balance.

Safety Practices

Understanding the purpose behind drywall stilts and knowing how to wear and adjust them is only half the battle. It’s important to keep note of some key safety practices to follow when working with this tool. Here at Timothy’s Toolbox, we are all about safety. We have secure and dependable drywall stilts for sale, but first, make sure you use them carefully.

Clear the Space

Before you start anything, make sure to clear and clean the space. You never want to work in the stilts with items on the floor. They are very well balanced, but accidents still happen, and you could trip over a loose cord or nail. Pick up and sweep up everything. Even a loose piece of drywall could cause an accident.

Keep It Simple

Don’t overthink when you’re wearing the stilts. You might think you need to exaggerate your steps or pick your feet up higher than normal, but you don’t. They are very well balanced, and you don’t need to do much work in them.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice walking in them before doing a job just to find your rhythm. Practice working in them too. Imitate a few moves you would do on a new job to see how well you’ve adjusted to them. The straps on the stilts are very secure, but there are cases where that could be a downside.

Extra Modifications

If you happen to lose your balance and need to step out of the stilts, the straps will prevent this from happening. You can modify your stilts by bolting in a pair of slip-on shoes. Now you can easily step into and out of the stilts. However, keep in mind that the heel of your foot is not secure. There are also additional accessories like universal comfort straps that make walking in stilts easier and more comfortable. Approach every job with precaution if you go this route.

Proper Maintenance

Like the rest of the tools in your toolbox, you need to maintain your drywall stilts. You may think you don’t need to clean up your stilts like your other tools, but this is a false claim. The stilts have a gripped bottom to avoid slipping and sliding on the job.

However, working with drywall on a muddy surface is slippery and dangerous. Try to avoid slipping on the mud while you’re on stilts. Additionally, never let any dried mud get caked up on the tubes, foot surface, or bolts.

Dried mud will make it difficult to stay inside the stilts or adjust them to your desired height. After every job, clean your stilts. Make sure the straps are still strong. When you start to notice wear and tear on any part of the tool, consider replacing it.

Drywall stilts are an amazing invention, and they’re even better when you know how to use them without hurting yourself. For more information, visit our website.