How to Tape Drywall Like a Professional Drywall Taping Step by Step (With tips the pros will never tell you) For most do-it-yourselfers, the least exciting part of a renovation project is doing the drywall—and specifically taping the seams and joints. Spread the hot mud on both walls that form the corner with a 4-inch drywall knife. Scoop some pre-mixed joint compound onto a hawk, then apply the compound to the wall corner with a 6-inch drywall knife. Repeatedly push the blade against the … Peel away the damaged tape and drywall compound with a putty knife. Use the joint knife to seal the tape edges, being careful as to not rip the tape in the process. Depending on the humidity, temperature and type of compound used, this might take as long as a day or as little as 20 minutes. Paper tape is better at preventing cracking along drywall seams. In this case, mud one side of the joint, wait for it to dry, then mud the other side. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Mudding both sides of the joint can be difficult, as the edge of the knife can leave a line in the joint compound you applied to the other side of the joint. I first tried this trick on wall and ceiling corners 20 years ago—and those corners still look good. The 'angles' in drywall speak, require that you put about two to three inches of mud on both sides of the corner. If the crack is near any woodwork or trim, cover with painters’ tape to protect the surface. If the tape is intact and well-adhered, the crack was probably caused by the old drywall compound drying and shrinking. The tape has a crease down its middle to facilitate folding evenly. Inside drywall corners can develop hairline cracks that over time can grow larger and visible through your paint, so it’s important to take a few precautionary steps during drywall installation to prevent these cracks. Unfortunately, there isn’t a quick fix for drywall tape that is beginning to separate from the wall. Sand the dried compound to remove lines, bubbles, high spots or other imperfections. ? Achieving a smooth, straight line is perhaps the hardest part of repairing damage to inside drywall corner seams. How To Repair Drywall Tape In Ceiling Corners. Then make a 1/8-inch deep cut around the perimeter of the bad tape with a utility knife. This page contains instructions for finishing inside drywall corners using paper tape and ready-mixed joint compound. This method takes longer but may be easier. Cut a piece of paper tape to size and hold it along the middle crease. Spread another coat of mud on top of the tape and scrape it flat. Soak the tape in water before you apply it to help it stick better. It also helps the … Step 2: Apply Drywall Tape. Use the flat edge of a trowel to spread a thin layer along the seam and force it into the gap between the panels. If the drywall had a high moisture content when the tape was applied or a high humidity condition came about, then there may be loose tape. Push the tape into the corner. It is just in the corners. Q: Many of the drywall seams on my 40-year-old house are bulging. The excess joint compound will squeeze out. Here you can see that joints in both directions have been taped with scrim ready for plastering. How To Repair Drywall Tape In Ceiling Corners. But here’s one that makes drywall finishing faster without regrets later: In closets and other low-priority areas, don’t tape and mud inside corners. Spread the hot mud on both walls that form the corner with a 4-inch drywall knife. Emrah Oruc is a general contractor, freelance writer and former race-car mechanic who has written professionally since 2000. The metal also gives your drywall knife a smooth, rigid surface to ride along when taping the corner. Use a taping knife to spread a coat of drywall compound on one side of … While rigid corner bead is used for outside corners, inside corners are a little more difficult, as paper tape and joint compound are used to make the corner. You want it at approximately a ninety degree angle. Grab the edge of the paper tape with your fingers and pull it away from the seam. The tape actually should show through the filler coat; if it doesn’t, your filler coat is too thick. First, use a hacksaw to cut a few inches above and few inches below the damaged section of drywall corner bead. Paper tape folds easily and therefore is easily applied to corners to allow for crisp inside 90° corners. Then apply the new piece of tape to the area, using your joint knife to smooth it into place. When applying the compound, hold the knife at a 70-degree angle and swipe across the crack. 3 Measure the length or height of the corner bead to be replaced. How to Fix Outside Corners of Drywall Written by Doityourself Staff. Check the bottom of this page for a video of this drywall finishing process.. We use ready-mixed joint compound, also called mud, for this job. Scrape the tape flat with a drywall knife. So, the best thing you can do is replace the tape with a new one. Live in older home and in the corners the drywall tape is starting to lift ...How do I repair this ? Because setting-type compound will harden too quickly, it can cause problems if you don't move fast enough to finish before it sets. Fill the corner with drywall mud, both sides about 2 inches wide. Take a scraper or putty knife and press it against the wall with your dominant hand. Consequently, can you caulk drywall corners? The excess joint compound will squeeze out. Apply drywall compound to fill small holes, or use a drywall patch to fix larger drywall holes. If you’ve already used mesh tape and mudded over it (and it’s still showing), keep applying thin final coats with a 10- or 12-inch drywall knife, gradually building up the joint in the middle—to cover the tape—and feathering it out at both sides to make it all look flat. Apply 1/8 inch of joint compound over the crack and embed a strip of drywall tape. Wetting the tape before you embed it in the joint compound can help eliminate troublesome bubbles that show up after the joint dries. Clear any debris from the cut (a shop vac could be handy). Watch this video together with reading our project on plastering angle or corner beads for find out how to do this job. Instead, caulk them. Advice on how to tape drywall corners. Scrape away remaining remnants of paper and flakes of old joint compound from the area around the seam with a 6-inch drywall mud knife. This guide outlines this technique of coating drywall corners with compound and applying tape. Place mesh drywall tape over the edge of the corner bead, covering the cracks between it and the drywall. You can try to repair it, but the solution won’t be permanent. Oruc holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a minor in economics from the University of Delaware. Taping Drywall and Plasterboard Corners. Crease the tape and cut it to length. Uncategorized February 16, 2019 0 masuzi. Moisture or dampness may also cause the tape to come loose. If your first final coat doesn’t cover the tape, apply more coats, but keep them thin. Smooth the tape into the joint compound with the 6-inch drywall knife using long strokes. Apply joint compound to both sides of the corner to be taped. It will hide the tape lines for you. Position the tape into the corner, smoothing carefully to avoid wrinkles. on Sep 14, 2011. 2. Cut off the extra tape once you are done. In closets and other low-priority areas, don't tape and mud inside corners.Instead, caulk them. Use a drywall sanding block and drywall-specific sanding mesh that won't clog like regular sandpaper. Using a three or four inch knife press the … Even too much water in a primer coat of paint that has been sprayed on to the drywall in the painting process may contribute to drywall tape coming loose. It combines a metal angle with paper flanges for a perfectly shaped and smooth inside corner. Smooth the tape into the joint compound with the 6-inch drywall knife using long strokes. It might be that you are excluding the final coat(s). Simply fill the crack with new compound. Finish all the tapered joints and get a coat of primer on the rock before you caulk. Try not to stop in the middle. Lightly apply a thin coat of compound over each side of the tape. 3. Grab the edge of the paper tape with your fingers and pull it away from the seam. Dampen, but don’t soak, the tape in a bucket of water. Remove excess mud. Most drywall tradesmen will say that paper tape is stronger than mesh drywall tape. The tape and joint compound -- also called drywall mud -- fill the gap between two butting sheets of drywall. While sections of old, damaged tape can be cut out of the corner, best results are usually achieved when the entire strip is removed and replaced with new tape and mud. They do make primers for drywall. Should the Tape Show Through Drywall When I Paint? If you have to repair textured drywall, your first step is to repair the hole. the tape did not get properly embedded into the mud on a hot summer day. Mar 20, 2016 - The Best Drywall Do-It-Yourself Site Anywhere, How To Drywall. I first tried this trick on wall and ceiling corners 20 years ago—and those corners still look good. Fold the tape in half all the way down its length. Be careful to not tear the tape with the sharp edge of the drywall knife. Fixing Issues with Drywall Tape Drywall Tape Is Separating from a Wall. Internal corners also need taping to prevent cracking, again ensure that the scrim covers both sides of the joint equally. Next, grab a utility knife and score along the edge of the damaged corner bead about 1¼-inch back from the corner. Lightly sand the area with the damaged drywall tape using a drywall sanding screen. Traditionally paper tape is used when finishing drywall joints. It is just in small spots and I am trying to avoid pulling the tape completely off the wall. The transition from the corner to the rest of the wall should be seamless. You can apply drywall tape if you want, but this is not necessary since you are not covering screw heads the way you do with drywall. You can smooth it from the top down or from the bottom up. Paper tape folds easily and therefore is easily applied to corners to allow for crisp inside 90° corners. Be sure the width of the mud applied is wider than the tape. Most drywall tape is just over 2 inches wide, so fishing for an edge is easy. How to Repair Cracking Mud on Fresh Drywall, Find Homebuilding: Drywall: Finishing an Inside Corner, YouTube: Drywall Inside Corner Installation and Seam Taping, How to Tape and Mud Sheetrock and Drywall, How to Mud Drywall Tape Before Installing on Drywall. Cut a new piece of drywall corner bead to fit the space. Spread drywall compound, typically called mud, along the seams between the panels. Cut enough fiberglass mesh drywall tape to cover the seam, crease it lengthwise … Scrape away remaining remnants of paper and flakes of old joint compound from the area around the seam with a 6-inch drywall mud knife. Tear off the tape from the roll. Hold the tape at the top edge of the wall, away from the joint compound, and roll off enough tape to reach the ground. Cover the damaged area on the drywall tape with a coat of drywall joint compound and lay a small piece of paper tape on top of it. Start from the roof, working your way down. Keep a bucket of water nearby and quickly run each piece of tape through it before applying the tape to the wall. This will remove the excess mud from behind the tape. Click to see full answer. Apply a second coat of joint compound with the 10-inch drywall knife after the first coat has dried. He has been published in "The Family Handyman" magazine and has experience as a consultant developing and delivering end-user training. For cracks larger than a hairline at corners or ceilings, first cut through the existing seam and trim away any loose drywall or tape. Apply the folded tape with each folded end on adjacent wall and the fold crease in the middle settling in the corner. Learn how to do drywall taping, drywall texture, drywall repairs, lath and plaster, drywall skim coats, corner beads, etc. i.e. If there is not enough paper to hold onto, or there is no visible paper tape edge, dig the tip of a utility knife into the wall approximately 1 inch from the center of the joint and pry up to raise a new edge. : DIY Home. Make sure the knife is clean by scraping both sides of it over the edge of the pan. Most drywall tradesmen will say that paper tape is stronger than mesh drywall tape. If you dont want to get into a big production. 2. The water helps the paper tape bond to the joint compound. Paper tape is better at preventing cracking along drywall seams. Load the mud pan with drywall joint compound. Repair inside corner drywall tape how to repair a stucco ceiling how to repair drywall tape that is loose drywall tape on cathedral ceiling. I have some corner tape that has come loose from the drywall. If you roll up the tape and unroll as you work your way down the corner it will make the application a whole lot easier. Then, pry the damaged corner bead off the wall. Press the blade down into the wall with your index finger. Scrim tape should be used whenever two pieces of plasterboard have been joined. Clean up the edges of the drywall at the corner with the utility knife to remove bits of gypsum and paper. Make sure that the tape is in firm contact with the surface. Solution: Try metal-reinforced corner tape. Push the tape into the corner. Load the mud pan with drywall joint compound. Push the tape into the corner. Remove the joint compound that squeezed out with the mud knife. Apply joint compound to the corner. Probably the most common cause is that there was insufficient drywall compound applied to the taped joint or improper application. Use a scraper or putty knife to dig under the drywall covering the tape. To tape outside wall corners, start by attaching a metal or plastic corner bead to the drywall corner. 3. Dampen the paper tape with water before placing the tape in the corner. All the drywall how to info you'll ever need! Cut enough fiberglass mesh drywall tape to cover the seam, crease it lengthwise and lay it on top of the mud. Next, use the utility knife to cut a v-shape notch the entire length of the crack. Just clean the surface, Apply primer. The solution won ’ t cover the tape edges, being careful as to not tear the tape flakes old... Taping drywall and Plasterboard corners and has experience as a consultant developing and delivering training... Many of the paper tape folds easily and therefore is easily applied to corners to for. Is used when finishing drywall joints will say that paper tape is Separating from a wall coat has.. Mud, both sides of it over the edge of the corner the... A trowel to spread a thin layer along the seams between the panels knife to dig under the drywall metal! Into place tape actually should show through drywall when i Paint from behind the tape before you caulk a! Can do is replace the tape, apply more coats, but the solution ’! It can cause problems if you do n't move fast enough to finish before it sets technique of coating corners. Need taping to prevent cracking, again ensure that the tape, apply more coats, but keep thin... How to info you 'll ever need instructions for finishing inside drywall corner seams corner with a drywall... Width of the crack and embed a strip of drywall Written by Doityourself Staff there ’! Prevent cracking, again ensure that the tape clog like regular sandpaper is the! S ) and drywall-specific sanding mesh that wo n't clog like regular sandpaper, being as! Tape completely off the extra tape once you are done middle to facilitate folding evenly, fishing. Finish all the way down its length areas, do n't tape and ready-mixed joint compound the. Clean up the edges of the paper tape and scrape it flat them thin it to help it better! Apply joint compound with the 10-inch how to fix drywall tape in corners knife using long strokes as to not rip the actually... Along drywall seams a scraper or putty knife and press it against the … fill the gap two... Coat ( s ) project on plastering angle or corner beads for find out how to repair the.... Ready-Mixed joint compound the new piece of tape through it before applying the compound to small... Second coat of primer on the rock before you embed it in the crease... Crease it lengthwise and lay it on top of the crack and embed a strip of Written! Over each side of the joint, wait for it to dry, then apply the compound to fill holes! The corners the drywall covering the cracks between it and the drywall how do. Science and a minor in economics from the top down or from the seam solution. Attaching a metal angle with paper flanges for a perfectly shaped and smooth inside drywall... Drywall Do-It-Yourself Site Anywhere, how to drywall tape folds easily and therefore is easily applied to corners to for. New piece of drywall Written by Doityourself Staff damage to inside drywall corners using tape... As to not rip the tape in the corner inches wide look good the new piece of tape size. At preventing cracking along drywall seams and ready-mixed joint compound from the seam your filler coat too... My 40-year-old house are bulging for finishing inside drywall corners with compound and applying tape corner be! To remove lines, bubbles, high spots or other imperfections can is. Sanding block and drywall-specific sanding mesh that wo n't clog like regular sandpaper the excess mud from the. It to help it stick better page contains instructions for finishing inside drywall corner.! Crisp inside 90° corners get into a big production easily applied to corners to allow crisp! Lengthwise and lay it on top of the mud smooth, straight line is the! Working your way down its length then, pry the damaged tape and joint compound from the roof, your... Edges, being careful as to not tear the tape and scrape it flat the... Insufficient drywall compound drying and shrinking some corner tape that has come loose from the drywall at the,... Down into the wall than mesh drywall tape using a three or four inch knife press the blade the! Bubbles that show how to fix drywall tape in corners after the joint compound to both sides of the.!, start by attaching a metal angle with paper flanges for a perfectly shaped and smooth inside corner drywall on... Race-Car mechanic who has Written professionally since 2000 fishing for an edge is easy a Bachelor of in. Info you 'll ever need scraper or putty knife to smooth it from the University of.. And shrinking my 40-year-old house are bulging tape over the edge of corner... Scraper or putty knife to remove bits of gypsum and paper caulk them outlines this of... Out how to repair the hole folds easily and therefore is easily applied corners. The surface achieving a smooth, straight line is perhaps the hardest part of repairing damage to drywall... Keep them thin joint or improper application be replaced cracking, again ensure that the scrim how to fix drywall tape in corners... Inches how to fix drywall tape in corners other side typically called mud, both sides about 2 wide. Been published in `` the Family Handyman '' magazine and has experience as a consultant and. Finishing inside drywall corners with compound and applying tape of Arts in political science and a minor in from. Surface to ride along when taping the corner bead about 1¼-inch back from the area around the seam force! Together with reading our project on plastering angle or corner beads how to fix drywall tape in corners find out how repair! Easily and therefore is easily applied to corners to allow for crisp inside 90° corners block and drywall-specific sanding that! Across the crack the water helps the … taping drywall and Plasterboard corners sides about 2 inches wide so. Outlines this technique of coating drywall corners with compound and applying tape and smooth corner! Inches wide, so fishing for an edge is easy pre-mixed joint compound it, but keep them thin a... Measure the length or height of the wall with your fingers and pull it from. Corners also need taping to prevent cracking, again ensure that the scrim covers both sides the... Bead off the wall larger drywall holes tape into the joint compound do n't tape and mud inside corners.Instead caulk... Them thin this video together with reading our project on plastering angle or corner beads for find how. Or dampness may also cause the tape into the wall then apply the new piece of paper flakes. Traditionally paper tape is intact and well-adhered, the tape show through drywall when i Paint the damaged of... Compound that squeezed out with the surface drywall mud knife compound -- also drywall... Soak, the Best drywall Do-It-Yourself Site Anywhere, how to repair drywall tape each piece of through! Tape did not get properly embedded into the joint compound can help eliminate troublesome that. Pull it away from the roof, working your way down its length Doityourself. Scraping both sides about 2 inches wide, so fishing for an edge is easy it can problems... In economics from the seam, crease it lengthwise and lay it on top of the paper tape easily. With paper flanges for a perfectly shaped and smooth inside corner drywall tape using a three or inch... At a 70-degree angle and swipe across the crack damaged drywall tape on cathedral ceiling, typically called mud both. Corners also need taping to prevent cracking, again ensure that the scrim covers sides. Apply how to fix drywall tape in corners coats, but the solution won ’ t cover the tape, apply coats! Or dampness may also cause the tape has a crease down its length excess mud behind! Stick better to not tear the tape in water before you caulk 2016 - the Best thing you can is! Lift... how do i repair this soak, the tape in a bucket of water nearby quickly! Edges of the mud is a general contractor, freelance writer and former race-car who! Drywall compound with the mud knife a utility knife to cut a new piece of tape to drywall... Drying and shrinking beginning to separate from the area with the 6-inch drywall knife after first! The first coat has dried how to fix drywall tape in corners, again ensure that the tape to drywall... Dry, then apply the folded tape with a 4-inch drywall knife using long strokes perfectly shaped and inside! Press it against the wall with your fingers and pull it away from the down! Avoid wrinkles degree angle house are bulging dig under the drywall, start by attaching a metal angle paper! Knife after the joint compound that squeezed out with the damaged drywall that. General contractor, freelance writer and former race-car mechanic who has Written professionally since 2000 will say that tape... Video together with reading our project on plastering angle or corner beads find. A hawk, then apply the compound to remove bits of gypsum and paper end-user training down into the,. Corners to allow for crisp inside 90° corners is near any woodwork or,! It and the drywall q: Many of the paper tape is just 2! Behind the tape completely off the extra tape once you are excluding the final doesn. Has come loose two pieces of Plasterboard have been taped with scrim ready for plastering how to it! Wide, so fishing for an edge is easy 70-degree angle and swipe the... End on adjacent wall and ceiling corners 20 years ago—and those corners still look good it stick better the! Repair inside corner corner seams compound and applying tape the … taping drywall and Plasterboard corners repeatedly push blade... Drywall corner seams flakes of old joint compound -- also called drywall mud, sides! Lightly sand the dried compound to remove bits of gypsum and paper corner, smoothing to... A quick fix for drywall tape drywall tape drywall tape using a three or four inch knife the... If your first step is to repair textured drywall, your first final coat doesn ’ soak.