How can I effectively gyprock/drywall my house to avoid moisture issues with bessa block/cinder block walls in Bundaberg, Queensland?
Asked by Alejandro Santiago 
3 months ago
Last Updated: September 25, 2024
Hey everyone! I’m thinking about putting gyprock/drywall in my house because I really don’t like the bessa block/cinder block walls. They make me feel like I’m in a jail.
I’ve been watching some YouTube videos where people mention that moisture can be a problem when attaching gyprock sheets to block walls. I’m not sure which method to use. Some people use furring strips first and then attach the board, while another video showed using blobs of cornice cement on the block wall to stick the board on – I think I prefer this method. I just want to make sure I won’t have any moisture or mold issues later on.
I live in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, where the weather can be wet at times but mostly sunny year-round.
Thanks for any advice! 🙂
When framing and insulating walls, it’s likely that you’ll need to rewire the entire basement
Hey , nope this is my bedroom. No basement here. This is my actual residence. I have no idea why someone decided to use blocks instead of proper bricks to construct it. Clearly a cost-cutting measure… but it looks terrible for a house.
Definitely stronger though. I actually quite like it.
Is it really more durable than a regular brick house? I have noticed cracks on the exterior and I’m concerned about potential future problems, especially when selling the house.
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Just needs some repointing. Brick houses often require this too. Many brick houses in North America experience this issue in the basement or foundation.
Hey , thank you so much for this. I’ve been stressing about the possibility of my house needing to be demolished in the future due to the cracks… haha I did some research and it seems pretty straightforward.. just remove the old pointing and replace it with new.
It’s totally common, even in Canada, . Just a bit of wear and tear, plus some pointing, will fix you right up.
Who needs drywall when you have art like that?
With art like that, , the wall won’t remain dry.
Furring out the steps is definitely the way to go. ‘t mess it up.
If you’re familiar with using a trowel, you could smooth out the walls with a plaster product.
Have you considered just skimming the block with mortar instead?
O ahead and send it!
Using furring strips is probably the most cost-effective approach, although it can be a bit tedious with all the anchors you’ll have to put into the cement blocks. Make sure you have an impact driver and a drill with a masonry bit.
Opt for the purple drywall that’s resistant to mold and moisture. If you do decide to frame it all out for insulation, consider using rockwool!
You might also need to do some basic rewiring for your outlets, but that’s pretty straightforward. I say go for it!
I’ve got 25 years of experience in corrections and I have to say, that really does resemble a jail cell, complete with those “classy” posters and all.
Ah, it’s a shame you’re so far away. There’s this amazing product by an American company that works wonders for finishing block walls like that. It’s called insofast and I actually used it on my most recent basement project. Awesome stuff, I highly recommend it. Check it out at https://www.insofast.com/
Looks like found some great stuff!
Foam board, furring strips, drywall. That’s a solid solution!