The Drywall and Taping Process: A Complete Breakdown for Homeowners

The Drywall and Taping Process, Step-by-Step:

Step #1: Choose the right materials

Choosing the right materials makes it easier to complete each step and helps ensure you achieve a professional, durable, and smooth finish. The most critical materials include the following:

Durabond: Durabond is a setting compound. It fills the gaps between butt joints and helps provide a stronger bond between the tape and drywall by eliminating gaps. It also reinforces the seams while helping avoid cracking and shifting.

Paper tape: Paper tape is used to cover seams. It is strong, helping to avoid tearing when applying the mud. It also creates a smoother finish as you sand.

Compound/mud: Use a taping compound for the first and second coats, and a finishing compound to ensure a smooth finish. Although they do make all-in-one compounds, choosing the specific compound designed for each step will see better results.

Knives: When applying the compound, using the right knife will help perfect the finish. A 2” to 4” straight edge is best for applying Durabond and the first coat of taping compound.

A 10” to 12” knife is preferred for the final coats or when covering larger areas. A 6” straight edge is designed for patch jobs or screw holes. A corner knife makes life easier to get even, defined corners.

Step #2: Pre-fill joints

Once the drywall is installed, inspect the wall for butt joints. Pre-fill these joints using Durabond to secure the drywall and create a solid base for the taping process. As mentioned, Durabond is a setting drywall compound designed to embed tape while also filling and smoothing joints.

This step is critical to ensure the drywall is properly secured and that any gaps are filled for a solid base. Once you’ve filled all the gaps, allow it to completely set according to the instructions and type of Durabond used.

Step #3: Fill holes

Check to make sure the pre-fill has set. If it feels dry, use a taping compound to cover the screw holes. Wipe away the excess mud as you work to make the sanding step easier.

Step #4: Apply taping compound and paper tape

Apply taping compound over the joint. Align a strip of paper tape long enough to cover the joint over the wet mud. Use your finger to press it into place, and then use your straight-edged knife to gently embed the tape into the compound. Try to get the mud as smooth as possible, but avoid being too forceful, or you might tear the tape. Allow the compound to dry completely.

Step #5: Apply a second coat of taping compound

Use the same compound to lightly cover the tape so you can still see it. Allow it to dry and then sand it down to a smooth finish. If you skip this step, it will be almost impossible to apply the finishing compound properly.

Step #6: Apply the finishing compound

Switch to the finishing compound and apply it as evenly as possible. Wipe away excess as you work, and then allow it to dry completely before sanding. As you sand, use your hand to feel for bumps, ridges, and bubbles that are harder to see. This approach will help ensure you find all the imperfections and achieve a professional-level finish.

Common Drywall and Taping Mistakes

Be careful when mixing compounds: If using powder compounds, be sure to get the right consistency when you mix them. If it is too runny, it won’t adhere to the drywall, and if it is too wet, it will moisten the tape, increasing the risk of tears. When it’s too thick, you’ll increase the risk of air bubbles forming under the tape so it can’t adhere properly. This, in turn, increases the risk of tears when adding the next coat.

Sink your screws: Sinking your screws slightly deeper into the drywall allows you to simply fill the little divots to create a smoother finish. It is easier to fill divots left from sunken screws than it is to either remove or re-sink raised screws.

Never use a lumpy compound: Whether it’s a result of poorly mixed powdered compound or hardened chunks from improperly sealed pre-mixed compounds, a lumpy compound creates a mess that can’t be corrected with sanding.

Oversanding: If you sand too aggressively, you can remove too much compound, increasing the risk of tears as well as the tape lifting.

Not feathering properly: Feathering is a technique that works upward from the bottom toward the joint and downward from the top of the joint. It helps direct excess mud into the joint. With a final swipe across the joint, you both remove the excess mud and force more compound into any remaining gaps.

Shortcuts: Common shortcuts, such as not allowing the compound to dry completely or skipping the sanding stage, create a mess of your drywall installation. As a result, it ends up taking longer and requiring much more work than following the steps correctly.

Not filling the joints: Trying to tape over gaps, even when they appear narrow, causes structural issues while also making it difficult to apply mud and tape. If you go directly to taping, you will either tear the tape, force the tape and mud into the gap (thus creating a dent), or both.

At Ontario Drywall And Taping, we ensure a professional finish. We have the experience to understand how common mistakes and shortcuts impact the final product. We take our time and make sure there are no “fisheyes,” bubbles, or uneven bumps. Our crew doesn’t consider the job complete until they’ve touched up every little imperfection.