Installing Drywall: Mudding and Taping

Installing Drywall, or hanging drywall as theframing.
professionals usually refer to the task, can be doneTaping and Mudding
by the homeowner. However, it is usually best doneAgain start with the ceiling. Apply a skim coat of joint
with two or more people as it requires significantcompound over the surface of a seam using a 6"
lifting of heavy material. Mudding and Taping can alsowide taping knife. If the seam is wide, apply a liberal
be performed by the homeowner, however theseamount of joint compound to fill it. While the Joint
tasks require some practice and artistry.compound is still wet, apply the fiberglass tape over
Measuring and Ordering Drywallthe skim coat of Joint Compound. Make sure the
Prior to actually hanging the drywall, the material firstseam is centered under the tape. Once the tape has
needs to be ordered and delivered. To determinebeen installed, apply additional Joint Compound over
how much material to order, measure all of thethe tape, again using the 6" wide taping knife.
surface area, starting with the ceilings and then theContinue this for all of the seams. Note: the tape will
walls. Calculate the total square feet and divide by 32.still be visible. Additional coats will eventually hide it.
The result should give you the number of 4'x 8'The inside corners are usually the most tricky and
sheets of drywall required for the job. I would alsorequire practice. Patience is the best advice and note
recommend adding another 5-10% to this figure tothat additional coats will be applied later to smooth
account for inefficiencies. Drywall does come in largerout any imperfections.
sheets, such as 4'x12', however for a Do-it-YourselfOnce the seams are done, using the 6" wide taping
homeowner these larger sheets can becomeknife, apply mud to all of the screw/nail dimples. A
unwieldy and maybe even impossible to bring into theskim coat is all that is initially required.
existing home.Note: When applying the mud over the tape and
For bathrooms or other moist areas Greenboardscrew/nail dimples, make sure all excess material and
should probably be used as this material is moistureuneven patches are smoothed down with the blade.
resistance.This will reduce sanding later.
For bathroom areas where ceramic tile is to beOnce the ceiling is done, you can move on to the
applied, e.g. Shower/Bathtub areas, Concrete boardwalls. Repeat the same process, however with the
should be used. The concrete board is also referredoutside corners just apply a liberal coat of joint
to as Wonderboard or Durock.compound to the valley that is formed by the corner
Joint Compound and Fiberglass tape will also bebead. This valley typically represents the first 3 or 4
required for Taping and Mudding. Joint Compoundinches from the edge of the corner.
typically comes ready-mixed in 5 gallon containers. IOnce the first coat has been applied let it sit
would suggest 1-2 containers per 500 square feet ofovernight or until it is dry, prior to starting the second
drywall. Fiberglass tape is quite inexpensive so Iapplication of Joint compound. Make sure to
would suggest picking up 2 to 3 roles for mostcompletely clean off the taping knife, the mud easel
Do-it-Yourself drywall projects.and any other containers or instruments that have
Drywall screws or ringed nails will also be required.mud on them prior to finishing up for the day.
Typically I use 1.25" length screws or nails. Also, stripsApplying the Second Coat of Mud
of corner bead will be required.After the first coat has thoroughly dried, it is now
Drywall Toolstime to apply the second coat of mud. It is this coat
Prior to starting drywall installation, you need tothat should hide the tape.
obtain the proper tools. A Drywall Lift really comes inAgain, start with the ceiling. Using the wider taping
handy when hanging sheetrock/drywall on the ceilings.knife apply a generous amount of joint compound
You can rent Drywall Lifts at hardware or homeover the taped seams as you want to build up the
improvement stores. If your budget does not allowarea over the tape. Taking large strokes smooth the
for this cost, Jacks (or Ts) can be made out of 2"xjoint compound over the tape applying more
4"s. The Jacks (or Ts) should be of a length suchpressure to the side of the taping knife further away
that they are just an inch or two taller than thefrom the tape. This will help to leave more mud over
height of the ceiling and have a cross beam that isthe tape. When complete, the mud should cover an
approximately 3' in width. Usually there are a couplearea that extends beyond the width of the tape by
of 45o angle braces connecting the crossbar to the2 to 3 inches.
main stem of the Jack. The Jack can then be usedAfter the seams have all been completed, apply a
to hold up the drywall to the ceiling while it issecond coat of mud over the screw/nail dimples.
screwed/nailed into place.With this second coat, flare out the mud over the
In addition to the Lift or Jacks, a drywall screw gun,dimples such that the diameter of the mudded area
hammer, T-square, carpenters knife, drywall saw andis about 3-4 inches in diameter.
a keyhole saw are required. The keyhole saw is usedFor the inside corners a Corner knife may come in
for cutting around electrical boxes.handy. Corners involve a little artistry so again take
If mudding and taping are to be performed thenyour time. Apply a generous amount of joint
Taping knifes, a Corner knife, sand paper, a polecompound and then run the Corner knife down the
sander and a Mud easel or pan will be necessary. Forcorner starting from the top. Take long, even
the taping knifes you will need a 6" wide blade and astrokes. A 6" taping knife may also be helpful to
12" wide blade.smooth out any imperfections.
Preparing the site for DrywallFor the outside corners, using the broad taping knife
Prior to hanging the drywall, make sure the buildingapply a generous amount of joint compound and
inspector has first approved the Framing, Plumbing,flare out the material such that it extends out 6
Electrical and Insulation jobs. Secondly, a vapor barrierinches or so from the corner. Again, apply more
should be applied over the insulation on the outsidepressure to the blade side that is further away from
walls if un-faced insulation was installed. Frequentlythe corner so that you leave more mud nearer the
sheets of plastic are used for creating the vaporoutside corner.
barrier. The plastic is simply stapled to the framing,Once the second coat has been applied let it sit
covering the insulation.overnight or until it is dry, prior to starting the final
Finally, inspect all of the framing carefully. Ensure thatapplication of Joint compound. Make sure to
nailers (e.g. 2" x 4"s) are existent at each corner andcompletely clean off the taping knife, the mud easel
header, that the framing is straight, and that theand any other containers or instruments that have
framed walls create smooth planes. In addition, themud on them prior to finishing up for the day.
ceiling should have strapping applied (1" x 3" crossApplying the Final Coat of Mud
boards). Also, make sure metal protection platesAfter the first coat has thoroughly dried, it is now
have been installed to studding where sheetrocktime to apply the final coat of mud. It is this coat
screws or nails could inadvertently penetrate plumbingthat requires the most artistry and the least amount
pipes or electrical wire.of joint compound. Here you are simply applying a
Safetyfinal skim coat to the already mudded areas.
Drywall installation is dirty, heavy work. The GypsumPrior to applying the skim coat it is best to take your
in drywall can be irritating to the eyes, lungs andwide taping blade and lightly pass over the mudded
sinuses so wear safety goggles and masks to avoidsurfaces. This will remove any bumps or ridges.
breathing in the material. Gloves are alsoAgain start with the ceiling seams and apply a small
recommended to protect against sharp blades.amount of joint compound using the broad taping
Installing Drywallknife. Again continue to flare out the seam by
Start with the ceiling as this will allow the sheets onextending the mudded area such that about 6 inches
the walls to help hold the sheets on the ceiling. Useresides on each side of the now invisible tape.
the Drywall lift or Jacks to hold the sheets in placeRemember this is a skim coat so little mud is required.
while screwing or nailing them to the ceiling. TheThe purpose of this coat is to effectively fill in any
screws or nails should be installed such that they arelines or recessed areas.
slightly recessed and create a small dimple withoutAfter the seams have all been completed, apply a
breaking the paper. Screws or nails should be appliedfinal coat of mud over the screw/nail dimples. With
every 8 to 12 inches on each stud. Screws arethis second coat, flare out the mud over the dimples
typically stronger and can be placed further apart, e.g.such that the diameter of the mudded area is about
12 inches. It is best to fasten the screws/nails to the6-8 inches in diameter.
edges of the drywall first and then fill in the fieldFor the corners use the broad taping knife and add
afterwards.just enough mud such that you can flare out the
Rows of drywall should be applied in a staggeredmudded surface area to about 8-12 inches, taking
pattern. This will create an interlocked pattern thatcare to filling in any lines or dimples.
creates a tighter and stronger ceiling/wall.Once the final coat has been applied let it rest
After the ceiling has been completed it its time toovernight or until it is dry,
move on to the walls. Drywall should be applied fromSanding
the top down, with the sheets hung perpendicular toSanding is a very dusty and dirty mess so please
the floor joists or studs. Again the rows should beuses goggles and a mask. I find it best to use a pole
staggered. The bottom piece should sit aboutsander with an open screened sand paper material
½ inches from the sub-floor.specifically designed for sanding sheetrock/drywall
For purposes of efficiency and strength it is best tomud.
apply the large sheets of drywall over the doors andLightly sand all of the taped areas, however
window openings and cut out the excess later. Thisconcentrate sanding on the outer edges of the
will create stronger/cleaner looking walls and savemudded areas such that all seams and ridges are
significant time.eliminated and blend into the main surface areas.
Installing Corner beadOnce sanding is complete, vacuum up the dust and
Once the drywall has been installed, corner beadyou are ready for priming and painting the walls and
should be applied to all outside edges. Corner beadtexturing the ceilings.
should be nailed every 6-8 inches and penetrate the