The process of mudding and taping is used to combine sheets of drywall to create one solid wall, as well as strengthen joints and hide nails and screws. If mudding and taping are correctly done, the wall is smooth and flat, and the taped seams are difficult to discern.
This guide explains how to tape and mud drywall, what types of tape and mud are suitable for the task, and the best way to safeguard the flooring and the area in which you are taping and mudding.
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There is a variety of joint compound used for mudding drywall. The mud options are available in “dry” or “wet” kinds.
Dry mud is the fast-setting powdered version of mud that is sold in plastic bags. Powdered mud is mixed using specially designed tools. Timed drywall mud hardens quickly and can take several days to dry thoroughly between coatings. It is typically used to create a sturdy base coat.
Pre-mixed (or “wet” mud) is already mixed and ready to use. It requires water to reduce the mud’s thickness until it is the proper consistency for application onto the walls.
All-purpose mud is often employed as a primer because the bonding agents within the mud cause the drywall tape to stay more securely. It is more difficult to sand and is rarely used as a final coat.
Topping mud is a type of dry mud that’s less heavy than the all-purpose. It is ideal for final coats.
Lightweight all-purpose drywall mud is less heavy and is easier to sand than joint compound all-purpose that is used to mud in drywall. It is a good choice for a second and first coat to seal seams and corner beads and is usually used as a finishing coat.
The options for drywall tape can be narrowed down to fibreglass mesh, paper and performed. The ability to tape drywall allows you to hide imperfections, holes, and indentations to the walls.
Paper tape: Tape made of paper is not adhesive and must be positioned in a compound layer to adhere to the surface of the drywall. It’s non-elastic and may form stronger joints in the weakest spots of the drywall.
Fibreglass mesh tape: Fiberglass mesh tape is a self-adhesive and adheres flatly to the surface of the drywall. The fibreglass mesh tape is also resistant to mold.
Preformed tape: Preformed tape is a kind of tape is typically used for the outside of walls and is made of plastic, paper, metal, or any other material. The tape that is preformed creates an even, smooth appearance.
Use coupon code TAPE10 to save 10% off your order. Limit is 1 per customer.
Prepare to Mud and Tape Drywall
Drywall mud hardens in just 15 minutes. The process of finishing and sanding drywall produces fine dust that could cause harm if breathed. Be sure to follow these steps for preparation prior to sanding drywall.
Gather the materials needed, such as joint compound, drywall tape, mud pans, and taping knives.
Wear protective clothing like coveralls to keep the drywall mud off your clothes and a respirator helmet to prevent breathing in dust.
Use drop cloths or tarps to prevent dust from damaging furniture or spreading beyond the work area.
Mud the Joints and Screw Spots
A long edge on every sheet of drywall is bevelled and intentionally thinner than the rest of a drywall sheet. The edges of the drywall are put together to form the joint. Utilize a drywall knife to put on around 1 inch of mud to make the joints more secure. Once you are done with the joints, go over the areas where screws connect the drywall sheets to studs. Clean up any extra dirt.
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Apply and Smooth the Tape
This process of what to do with drywall makes an even surface to mud the joints.
Lay a strip of drywall tape to the mud you just applied in the previous section. Firmly press the tape against the seam so that the mud holds the tape in place.
Then take a joint drywall knife and scrape it across the tape, embedding it into the mud and removing air bubbles as you go. Begin by putting the knife in the middle of the tape and move toward the corners.
Apply Mud and Tape the Corners and Edges
These steps will show you the process of taping the inside edges and corners of drywall.
Use the utility knife on the inside and outside of a corner. Put a folded strip of drywall paper tape in the corner over the compound.
The utility knife should be pulled along the tape, pressing it in the mud and pushing air bubbles out. Utilize gentle strokes to pull the tape toward the corner, then remove any remaining mud.
Lay strips of tape over the outside edges and corners. Spread mud on the edges and corners by applying continuous vertical strokes. Remove any leftover compound.
Let the taped and mudded areas air dry overnight. Once dry, you can sand them with 120 or 100-grit sandpaper to achieve smoothness to finish the initial drywall mudding task.
Apply a Second Coat of Mud
After the first step of mudding and taping, you must apply an additional coat of compound on both joints and corners.
Place a layer of the mud using a 10-inch knife using steady strokes. There is no drywall tape paper required for this step.
Remove any excess mud, and then allow for the next layer to set overnight.
Apply a Final Coat of Mud
The final mudding task will be putting on a final coat to cover any imperfections that remain on the wall. A lightweight all-purpose mud or topping mud is ideal as the coating.
Pour all the dirt into an empty paint bucket, and then add water.
Make use of a power drill with an attachment for mixing mud to make a more consistent consistency of mud before applying. Make use of a 12-inch drywall knife in order to spread the mud further.
Remove any excess mud, and let it dry overnight.
Sand the Taped and Mudded Drywall
Smooth the surface for the final steps of taping and mudding the wall. Sanding drywall is done with either an electric sander or a manual pole sander, as well as 120-grit paper.
Using a pole sander, scrub the joints until the surface is even and has zero lines between the edges of the material and drywall. Also, ensure there are no pinholes or ridges within the compound. If you decide to use an electric sander, place the electric sander along the wall and let it do the work.
Use coupon code TAPE10 to save 10% off your order. Limit is 1 per customer.
