How-To
Prepping for Taping
Check through this list before you begin—and be sure to protect the work area.
Before you start taping, you need to double-check a few things around the room:
- Make sure that all the drywall panels are firmly attached.
- Make sure that all the electrical outlet boxes and other openings have been cut out.
- Make sure that the corner bead has been installed where necessary (some types of corner bead are attached after the tape has been embedded).
- The temperature of the air, joint compound, and drywall surface should be consistent—at least 55°F if you’re using drying types of joint compound and 45°F if using setting types. Ideally, the temperature should be 65°F to 70°F.
- Good ventilation and low humidity also help the joint compound dry and set up properly.
- If there are any damaged areas of drywall, such as busted-out inside corners or outlet-box openings, cut away the loose drywall and fill the holes with a coat of joint compound.
- Also fill any gaps between panels that are more than 1/8 in. wide. Allow these areas to dry before applying the first coat. If time is of the essence, use setting-type compound as filler.
| THINK AHEAD: Before you begin, make sure the work area is clean and uncluttered so that walls and ceilings can be finished along their entire length without worrying about tripping or falling over drywall scraps or tools. This is especially important if you’re working on stilts. |
Protect the WorksiteWhether you’re working for clients or making small repairs around your own house, the taping process makes a mess—dust is inevitable and misplaced compound is likely. Before beginning, protect the work environment.
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