| The Art of Drywall Taping |
| Written by Anthony Bidiforu |
| Tuesday, 17 November 2009 09:18 |
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If you're in the process of improving your home, there's a good chance you'll need to learn to tape drywall. It can be a pretty intimidating process if you don't know what you're doing, but it's really extremely easy. Even kids can manage to tape drywall successfully. Here's a look at all the drywall supplies and techniques you'll need to do the job right.
If you're in the process of improving your home, there's a good chance you'll need to learn to tape drywall. It can be a pretty intimidating process if you don't know what you're doing, but it's really extremely easy. Even kids can manage to tape drywall successfully. Here's a look at all the drywall supplies and techniques you'll need to do the job right. Remember that taping can take a surprisingly long time. It's not hard, but sometimes it takes up to three times as long as hanging the sheets. Taping gives the room a more professional, attractive look, and can help reduce the lumps and problems in your wall. If you don't feel like you're up to it, talk to a professional to do the job for you. It might be worth the investment for renovators who don't have a lot of time, or aren't secure in their accuracy. So what kind of drywall supplies will you need? Well you're going to need joint compound, that's for sure. You will also need a drywall knife and some grit sandpaper. This will help with the finishing, though larger projects will require an electric sander. First off you'll need to cover the joints using joint compound. Normally people do this with three layers, allowing each later to dry before starting again. Between layers you may also need to sand and smooth them out, though it's best to try to keep them smooth as you put them on, rather than taking care of it later. Yes, you can sand it down later, however isn't that an utter waste of material? Experts will not need to do any sanding, though being a beginner you probably won't achieve results like that. In any case, make sure that you do the best you can. Once you've gotten done with your sanding, taping is what's left. Yes, the joints are covered up and will be hard to see, so you will need to take your best guess. Luckily, tape can be moved about if the compound is still wet. After you have finished taping, make sure that you smooth it with your knife to squeeze out any excess compound. When all is said and done, put a thin layer of mud on the tape, but make sure that the tape is still visible. Smooth it out with sandpaper and get rid of any bumps or rough spots. Doing your own drywall taping is remarkably easy, once you get used to it. Take the time to learn how to do it, and you'll have great looking, professional walls without hiring a contractor. About the Author: Prior to purchasing any of your drywall supplies for your home improvement, you should make sure you get the best deal possible. BidForMaterials.com is the latest online source where you can find dozens of suppliers to bid on your supply needs. |
