Hit 10,000 sheets of drywall hung last week and my shoulder is screaming at me

I was just counting up my old job logs for fun and realized I've personally hung over 10,000 sheets since I started in the trade back in 2015, which is a wild number considering I still can't seem to avoid those little corner cracks everyone complains about... anyone else ever add up their lifetime count?

2 comments

2 Comments

oscarmurray10d ago

Wait, have you actually been keeping logs since 2015? That's dedication man. I've been doing this since 2016 and I just sort of guess my numbers. But 10,000 sheets is serious weight, it adds up fast on your body. Your shoulders and elbows are basically screaming at you for a reason, that's like 30,000+ pounds of drywall you've lifted over the years. I'm at maybe half that and my right shoulder clicks when I rotate it now, can't imagine the wear and tear at 10k. Have you tried switching up your hanging technique to save your joints a little? I started using a drywall lift more often a couple years ago and it helped my shoulders survive the workdays.

parker_patel8410d ago

That really hits home, oscarmurray. I've been tracking everything since 2015 because it helps me see patterns in what hurts and what doesn't. My right elbow has this dull ache that never really goes away anymore, and my left shoulder pops every time I lift my arm over my head. You mentioning the drywall lift is smart, I only started using one regularly about two years ago when the pain got bad enough. Wish I had done it sooner though because all that lifting before that is really catching up with me now. I know guys who have done more sheets than me and they all have similar stories, it's just part of the job. Your shoulder clicking is a warning sign for sure, don't ignore it like I did.