Why tape sheetrock

Although it is not required, it is highly recommended to use drywall tape. Applying tape to the joists of the drywall helps clean up the look. Read on if you just want some guidance with installing your drywall or if you want to do a touch up renovation in your house. The purpose of mudding will be defeated as the mudding will not be enough to cover the entire gap created at the joint.

Drywall tape is made out of either paper or mesh and is used to cover up the joints that can be found throughout the drywall. The joints are the gaps between the different drywall boards. This not to be confused with joists, which are the parallel members found in drywall.

Paper Drywall Tape is, as the name implies, made out of paper and carries the characteristics that come along with that material. Mesh Drywall Tape is made out of fiberglass, the same material used for boats and surfboards, which also gives it the properties that come along with that material. The only thing that you need to consider is the current conditions that the drywall undergoes on a day to day basis. Joints in the bathroom should preferably be covered up with a mesh drywall tape, while joints in the living room should be covered up with paper.

On the other hand, paper drywall tape tends to leave air pockets or crumple if not installed properly. When installing drywall tape, especially in the inner corners of a room, the name of the game is to make sure that everything is in alignment.

Drywall tape usually comes with a seam in the middle that helps it fold and, at the same time, can also serve as a guide to make sure the tape is centered on the joists. If using paper drywall tape , make sure to apply the drywall compound throughout the joint you wish to cover up. Upon placing it on the joint, start flattening it out and allow the drywall compound to ooze out of the tape. This is to ensure that no air bubbles are left between the tape and the wall.

If using mesh drywall tape , you no longer need to apply the drywall compound before taping over the joints. Learn more. What is the purpose of tape when finishing drywall? Ask Question. Asked 10 years, 3 months ago. Active 6 months ago. Viewed k times. This, from eHow: Embedded in a layer of drywall joint compound, drywall tape creates a physical bond between adjacent sheets of drywall.

Improve this question. JYelton JYelton 2, 8 8 gold badges 27 27 silver badges 32 32 bronze badges. FYI, "mudding" isn't a thing. There's only taping. Finishing drywall requires tape, and that's what it's called in the industry. It's not a verb among pros. No one says, "I'm a mudder", and no one says, "I'm going to do some mudding today". I'm not saying I disagree, just that people in my area are, shall we say, fond of slang.

Fair enough, and there are different types of "professionals" as well. Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. Go ahead and try it if you don't believe me! I certainly did Improve this answer. Karl Katzke Karl Katzke 7, 3 3 gold badges 25 25 silver badges 43 43 bronze badges. It seems like Russ Olinatz's technique would compensate for this? Wow, that was an excellent comment. Oh wait Tape doesn't shrink and helps reinforce the joint. Mike Perry Mike Perry 1, 12 12 silver badges 16 16 bronze badges.

KeithS KeithS Does proper drywall installation usually involve multiple layers of tape? Actually yes. I've done corners both ways and though the corner tool has advantages, I have found that as an amateur it is neater to do the two sides with a standard drywall knife and then use the corner trowel to neaten up the corner. How drywall tape is designed How to install drywall tape Apply a layer of drywall compound over the seam or area to be repaired.

The compound does not need to be applied evenly, but it must completely cover the area behind the tape. Any dry spots may lead to tape failure and more work later! It is not important to fill the gap between the panels behind the paper.

Indeed, if the gap is very large the weight of the compound filling the gap might cause the tape to bulge out If you feel the gap should be filled, it is better to fill the gap first, allow the compound to dry completely and THEN apply the tape over it. Lay the tape into the compound, seam bulge toward the wall. Run your taping knife along the tape, pressing it hard enough to cause most of the compound to ooze out from under the tape. There should only be a very small amount of compound left behind the tape.

NOTE: Some installers like to wet the tape first by running it through a bucket of water. This can improve the stick between the compound and the tape by slowing down the drying time. When the tape absorbs the moisture from the compound, it can cause dry spots that may lead to tape lifting.

It's your choice As you work, apply the excess compound over the top of the tape in a thin layer OR clean it from the knife and use fresh compound to lightly cover the tape. Of course, if you prefer you can let the compound dry and put the next layer on later. Most experienced drywall people do this layer at the same time. However, less experienced people sometimes find that they tend to move or wrinkle the tape when applying this second coat right away.

So it's your choice!!