Tape & Bed Drywall
Remodeling / Plastering /
Painting
Taping the Drywall Seams
All drywall seams need to have tape embedded in joint compound. The tape strengthens the joint, and the joint compound, or mud, is the adhesive that strongly hold the tape in place. Furthermore, there’s a lot more to hand-taping beveled drywall seams than slapping a bunch of mud on the wall and running tape. I’ll focus on the methods I use for taping beveled (or tapered) seams with the most common types of tape—paper, fiberglass-mat, and fiberglass-mesh.
Paper tape, a commonly used type of drywall tape among professionals, and fiberglass-mesh tape, a self-adhesive variant popular with occasional users, are both important drywall tape types. The fiberglass-mesh tape, favored for its lightweight adhesive, allows for easier application over seams before covering with compound, thus eliminating the need for the juggling act of simultaneously applying mud (drywall mixture) and tape. This process, often referred to as 'tape and bed,' is crucial in drywall installation. Fiberglass-mat tape, similar in strength to paper tape and applied in a comparable manner, differs in being made from an inorganic material, akin to fiberglass mesh.
In the tape and bed process, there's a common inquiry about whether you should wet drywall tape or use it dry. While some professionals prefer wetting the paper tape to ensure better adhesion and ease of application, others opt for dry application, especially when using self-adhesive mesh tapes. Therefore, when choosing between paper tape or mesh tape, one should consider the need for wetting the drywall tape based on the type chosen.
Subsequently, it is advisable to reinforce the tape with additional layers and allocate substantial time for the drywall mixture to fully dry after it's been bedded. If the drywall mixture isn't allowed adequate time to dry, applying sealants or new paint prematurely can result in uneven drying. This can compromise the paint's adhesion and overall finish, a concern particularly relevant in strapping drywall, where creating a smooth, uniform surface is essential.
The Process
The process of taping and bedding drywall involves applying paper or fiberglass mesh tape to the creases or edges where the drywall panels meet, especially in corners or where a joint is formed. This tape acts as a type of tape with a purpose to ensure adhesion between the panels. The tape can be added on the seam in multiple layers or until the two panels are adequately conjoined, showcasing the compound's ability to fill gaps and holes. Once the tape has been applied, the bedding process occurs, which essentially layers on a wet drywall mud (a product known for its moisture management properties) to the seam to reinforce the tape's adhesion. This wet mixture, often enhanced with plaster for durability, is then smoothed, and excess paste is discarded or reapplied for a stronger layer. It's then dried for a minute or more, depending on the area's humidity levels, before being sealed, primed, and painted. Applying a coat of joint compound over the fiberglass mesh tape significantly improves its resistance to mold and wrinkle, ensuring the ceiling to floor coverage adheres well even in high-humidity areas like the bathroom.
Techniques
The techniques we use to tape and bed drywall seams are quite simple but should be done with precision and in the right order to obtain lasting results. Key to this process is the use of a corner bead and adhesive tape to ensure privacy policy and terms of service level joint integrity, particularly around the bathroom where humidity and moisture are prevalent. If taping and bedding are done without adequately sealing the seams of the drywall panels or ensuring that the taping is in the appropriate place—like ensuring joint compound fills every hole and corner for a smooth adhesion—then the process is redundant and could potentially fail at sealing the seams between your drywall. This could lead to issues with moisture, mold, and overall stability of the drywall installation, undermining the purpose and effort of DIYers. The use of drywall mud and joint compound, along with a careful application that avoids wrinkle and ensures a uniform coat over the entire length of the seam, is critical for a durable finish that upholds the privacy policy and terms of service of a well-constructed area.
Tools Needed
The tools needed to complete taping and bedding include a wet drywall mixture, similar to a clay or paste, paper or mesh drywall tape, a scraper that helps even out and remove excess drywall mixture, and the painting supplies to finish your walls with the desired paint color.
We provide all of the tools to accompany the project. If you have a particular paint color that you’d like us to add at the end, we ask that you provide this beforehand.
Adjusting Drywall
If you have a
drywall surface that has already been installed but was never properly sealed at the seams with tape and bedding, we are able to help reseal the area. When a drywall surface has not been sealed at the seams, the paint can easily seep through and make the space between the panels more obvious. To adjust this, your walls will need to be repainted, but taping and bedding the surface will not damage the integrity of your drywall.