Heat & Glo LifeStyle 2137-900 Installation of Non-Combustible Facing Materials, Painting

C. Installation of Non-Combustible Facing Materials

Gypsum wallboard (drywall) joints adjacent to the

fireplace opening require special attention to minimize potential development of cracking. Hearth and Home Technologies recommends the following steps to mini- mize potential cracks in the finished drywall around the fireplace opening:

•When installing gypsum wallboard around the fire- place, install the hole for the fireplace opening in a single wallboard sheet, if possible. This will mini- mize the joints adjacent to the fireplace opening.

•The factory-supplied non-combustible board and the gypsum wallboard must join on the structural fram- ing, where applicable. Wallboard and non-combus- tible board should be fastened to the framing with at least 1.25" long screw fasteners, located within 1.5" from each corner, and at no more than 12" intervals along the joint length.

•The wall-board joints should be finished with a Tap- ing Coat, followed by at least two subsequent Finish Coats of joint compound.

•For the initial Taping Coat, it is critical that a general- purpose chemically hardening joint compound, such as SHEETROCK™ Brand Durabond™ Setting-Type Joint Compound, be used to fill the joint and embed the mesh tape. Fiberglass-mesh tape is recom- mended because it will provide a more crack-resis- tant joint than one finished with paper tape. Let the Taping Coat properly cure before applying subse- quent Finish Coats.

•For the second and third finishing coats, it is ac- ceptable to use a light-weight joint compound and standard application, curing and sanding methods.

•Do not operate the fireplace during the drywall

finishing process. Allow the finish coat to cure for at least 24 hours prior to using the appliance.

Painting

If desired finishing includes a painted wall, 100% acrylic latex with compatible primer is recommend around the appliance. Oil-based or standard acrylic paints may discolor due to heat exposure.

Wallboard Joint-Crack Prevention and Repair

Wallboard joints around the fireplace will be affected by exposure to elevated temperatures, along with other en- vironmental and structural factors. The specific methods presented in the previous section will help prevent or minimize development of cracks.

If a crack does emerge adjacent the fireplace, it can be permanently repaired by filling it with spackling paste or paintable latex caulk, followed by repainting.

Heat & Glo • Soho24B • 2137-900 Rev. P • 8/12 33