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DRYWALL MATERIAL

DRYWALL COMPOUND: called mud in the building trades, comes in a variety of types. Usually you just need a setting type and an all-purpose joint compound. Both should be labeled lightweight, a variety that is not as hard as others but easier to sand. Setting compound comes as a powder and begins to harden as soon as water is added. It dries without shrinking or cracking. Use it when you need the compound to be thicker than 1/8-inch or when you are in a hurry. All-purpose compound is easier to use because it's already mixed and hardens slowly. The downside is that you have to allow a day or so between coats for it to dry.

In addition to these two joint compounds, you'll need a primer to seal the wall prior to painting, or a combination primer-sizing to go under wallcovering.

DRYWALL TAPE: There are two types of drywall tape: paper and fiberglass mesh. Paper tape is simply perforated heavy paper that gets sandwiched between layers of compound to reinforce the joint so that it doesn't crack. A 300-foot roll will suffice for an average-size room. Mesh tape is very easy to use because it's sticky and adheres directly to the joint without a bed of compound. Mesh tape is strong enough to use with any type of compound for small repairs, but for bigger taping jobs it must be covered with setting compound. Unlike paper tape, mesh tape can't be creased to fit tightly in corners. Mesh tape costs more than paper.

CORNER BEAD: is usually applied when two drywall panels meet at an outside corner or an archway. But there are types for other situations. The common right-angle corner bead covers most outside corners. Bullnose is a variation of it that gives inside corners, outside corners, and archways slightly rounded edges instead of sharp ones. For sharp corners, even when the walls don't quite meet at a right angle, there's flexible corner bead. J-bead or L-bead wraps the ends of drywall sheets where they meet a wall covered with another material, like brick or paneling. Arch bead is used to cover curved corners, usually those on curved archways.

Corner-Bead Perfection

How do I Install corner bead on an outside corner?
Corner bead strengthens and pro-tects the edges of drywall on outside corners and around archways that don't have wood trim. Use a piece of corner bead that will cover the full length of the corner. For example, cover an outside comer on a 10-foot wall with a single section, not two 5-foot pieces.

Fasten the corner bead every 12 inches, creating a shallow depression for drywall compound. When the corner bead is pushed flush against the corner and nailed in place, the outside edge should protrude about 1/8-inch above the surface of the drywall. When two pieces of corner bead meet at the top of a doorway, cut the ends of the beads so that they meet at a 45° angle. Also make sure the ends line up perfectly. If the adjoining pieces don't line up, your knife will jump and make a ridge in the joint compound. To cover the beads, apply at least three increasingly wider layers of joint compound.

Bubbles in Joint Tape

What can I do to get rid of bubbles in my drywall tape?
Bubbles often occur when the layer of compound under the tape in the joint is too thin. They can also happen when the paper face of the drywall underneath has separated from the gypsum core. Cut out any tape bubbles with a knife; then recoat the area with compound.

Sanding with Less Mess

I've heard I can use a moist sponge to sand drywall joints. Is that true, and how do I do it?
Wet sanding is great for small pro-jects when you want to avoid dust. With a light touch, it's easy to get good results. You can use a kitchen sponge or, better yet, a sponge float used for stucco finishing. For hard-to-reach areas, use a sponge mop in a pail of warm water and moving it across a section about 3 feet long. Work the area until it's smooth, then continue down the joint. Rub over any high spots until a little compound collects on the sponge. Rinse the sponge frequently. If the joint softens too much and smears, let it dry and go over it again later.

SAFETY CHECK

Buckets Can Kill Kids

The 5-gallon buckets that dry-wall compound and paint come in are very handy, but don't leave them around with liquid in them—small children can drown in them. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, children under 2 years old cannot right themselves after they fall in. Curious pets are also at risk. If you're using 5-gallon buckets that are filled with liquid, make sure you keep the covers tightly snapped on.

Sanding Is a Crucial Step

I've applied three coats of drywall compound and my walls still aren't smooth. Should I sand?
While expert knife work can eliminate most additional smoothing, some sanding is unavoidable. Sanding drywall is tedious, but the results—seamless joints and smooth walls—make the job worthwhile. The trick is to sand as little as possible. Sand joints and patches over fasteners lightly, stopping every so often to run your hand over the area to check for smoothness.

To keep drywall dust from getting everywhere, cover doorways and anything left in the room, including heating ducts, with plastic sheeting. Put an old fan (dust is tough on the motor) in the window to suck dust out of the room. Always wear goggles and a dust mask when sanding, to protect your eyes and lungs.

If you notice small gouges that you missed with the compound, mark them with a pencil and fill them in later. Oversanding can make the drywall facing and paper tape fuzzy. Light fuzz can be covered with paint, but bad scuffs will show through. Smooth over them with a very thin coat of compound.

A mesh sanding screen cuts through compound quickly, but in most areas, you can use regular 100-grit sandpaper. Use a swivel-headed pole sander to reach high walls and ceilings. Use a foam sanding block to smooth out inside corners.

Realize that heavy-texture paints or thick wallpaper can hide minor imperfections. However, glossy paint will highlight mistakes, so the finish must be perfect. If you find flaws after priming, spread a thin layer of compound and follow up with a light sanding. Seal the patch with a second coat of primer.

 

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TITLE: Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture Store

Home Improvement Category: Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture, Home, Do it Yourself, Doityourself, DIY, Diy Network, Do-it-Yourself

Shopping Mall: Home Improvement offers do-it-yourself Home Improvement guide and store, Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture, Home, Do it Yourself, Doityourself, DIY, Diy Network, Do-it-Yourself Store

Home Improvement Topics: Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture, Home, Do it Yourself, Doityourself, DIY, Diy Network, Do-it-Yourself