Is Inspection Required?

Before you even begin any drywall work, it would be nice to check with your municipality to find out if inspection is needed. An inspection of your current drywall can give you an idea of where the issue is and if you even need to have it replaced. There’s nothing worse than tearing apart your current drywall only to perform some shoddy work when it was perfectly in place.

Gather All The Supplies

Next, make sure you have all that you’ll need to conduct the drywall work. In this case, you’ll need premixed mud (you can also use dry mud mix which is combined with water), trowels in different sizes and your preferred drywall tape. You can find all these at the supplies store. A broad knife works well for finishing. Choose a knife that has a nice blade preferably 5 inches wide. Knives that have very sharp corners may not be the best to use because they can easily tear the paper tape as you try and finish the seams.

Prepare The Mud

Pre-mixed mud can sometimes be very difficult to use because it’s too stiff. You can always add a little water to it and whip it until it’s consistent. Try and create a texture like that of a creamy cake icing. If you are using dry mix, add some water and mix it properly so that it doesn’t form any bubbles or clumps. The first coat doesn’t need to be thick; in fact, having a watery first coat of mud usually helps to come up with a smooth finish.

Also make sure that the mud if lump free. Be extra careful not to mix too much air in it because it will create bubbles when you apply. When the mud is ready, apply it generously on the seams in between the drywall boards. Make sure all the areas are covered.

Choosing The Best Type Of Tape

You will find paper and mesh tape options in the supply store. Paper tape comes in handy in corners whereas the mesh tape is best used for the seams. However, some people prefer using paper in both cases.

Applying Strips Of Drywall Tape

After applying the coat of mud and smoothening it, the next step is to apply the strips of tape. You need to be extra careful here and ensure that the tape is in line with the seams in between the drywall boards. To smoothen the tape, you can use a trowel. Press it gently instead of applying too much force. Gentle strokes will create a smoother finish and also prevent the mud from being squeezed out.

Coat The Corners With Mud

You will need to fold the tape when you get to the corners. Before folding the tape on the corners, use mud to coat the interiors of the corner and then press the tape into the corner. Use a knife to smoothen it down. As usual try and make gentle strokes so that you don’t create an untidy and uneven finish. Try not to apply a second coat on the corners at the same time. Apply the first corner and leave it to dry before doing the second one.

The Final Touches

Make sure you don’t leave any screw or nail holes on the wall. You can fill them up with some mud and then use a knife to scrape off the excess. Let the mud dry completely before applying a second coat. The first coat can take a whole day to dry up. When the mud dries up, it appears whitish and not grey.