12/05/2021
PRO TiP:
If you're doing DiY drywall repairs in your home make sure you're using the right materials for the job by reading a quick breakdown of the basics down 👇 below.
"Which Kind of mud should I use?"
Most repairs should be done with green lid General Purpose mud. This includes things like small holes from nails or mounted objects, door handles, as well as the initial taping application of seams and fastener heads.
General purpose mud is heavier because the mixture has more adhesive than other types, allowing it to be a versatile mud that can be used from start to finish.
Light blue / topping
Topping mud or light blue is as suggested, a lighter mud (-25%) with less shrinkage and easier sanding. These are not recommended as compounds for bedding or taping, but sufficient for all steps afterwards.Topping is also a brighter white when dried.
Dry mix
As stated, these aren't ready to use and must be mixed by the installer. 20, 45, and 90 minute "hot muds" as their known are meant to be mixed in small batches, applied quickly, and typically only used as filler, base layers that will not require sanding as it is very difficult to sand when it has set up.
The mixes are based on the amount of time it takes for the mud to begin to set up, with the time to completely set up varying depending on the size, amount of liquid used in mixing, and depth of patch.
"Tape is tape, right?"
Not really. Mesh tape or self adhesive tape made from hatched fibers is great as a patch to cover a small hole, but it is not ideal for standard seams, butt joints or corners.
For starters, fiber tape does not fold well, making sharp corners unachievable.
And while flattened seems seem easier with a self adhesive tape such as fiber tape, should the house settle, shift, or come under any force that would create cracks to develope (even just the stomping of a texture brush) mesh tape would show these stress cracks.
Paper tape
Paper tape is used for pretty much every seam and joint with the exception of outside corners and a few less common situations.paper tape is much more durable because when applied over a seam that may be prone to cracks in the future, when applied correctly paper tape will hide these fracture lines behind the solid surface of the tape, allowing the finished surface to remain uniform and intact.
Bonus TiP;
Don't get stuck working one small area repeatedly, and if you do so frequently it's most likely because your trying to do too much with a single layer.
Your final coat is the only perfect coat!
Leave those imperfections alone and keep moving, they'll be covered up in the next coat!
Thanks for taking the time to read through our first Recovery Home Improvements LLC Pro TiP post. Feel free to share it with your friends!
As always we provide everyone with FREE quotes, conversations and answers to questions so don't hesitate to have us set up a time to discuss your repairs, remodels and additions!
