When looking to fix drywall joints or repair cracks, drywall mud, also known as a joint compound, comes in handy. When you walk into a store, you will be puzzled by the various types of drywall mud in the market. Settling on a specific one is quite challenging, especially if you are a novice in the construction industry.
Luckily, picking your desired joint compound is not that difficult. Here is a detailed piece on which drywall mud is the best, depending on its use.
All-Purpose Drywall Mud
As we have mentioned earlier, drywall mud is manufactured depending on its purpose. However, for this specific type, it can be used for any drywall job you can imagine like, skim coating, as a filler, and finishing coats. In most instances, this compound is used to finish corner beads and the first and second coat on seams.
The all-purpose compound is straightforward to work with, especially for DIY lovers, and dries very fast since it’s lightweight. However, this mud is not as strong as other types.
Quick Setting Compound (Hot Mud)
The quick setting drywall compound comes in a powdered form, usually packed bags with plastic lining. The lining protects the mud from moisture. It is important to keep hot mud away from water since the slightest contact results in an irreversible chemical reaction that hardens the compound.
Hot mud is an ideal option if you want to finish your job faster, or else if you intend to apply multiple coats of the compound on a single day. Just as its name suggests, it dries completely fast. It is also helpful while filling cracks.
Taping Joint Compound
Taping compound is perfect for embedding tape on your drywall. The drywall mud dries hard and is more challenging to sand through than all-purpose and topping drywall mud. It is also excellent for laminating drywall panels and covering plastic cracks.
Topping Compound
The topping compound is mainly used in the two final coats after applying your taping combination. The compound shrinks slowly and forms a durable bond on your surface. However, this mud is not recommended while taping joints. You can also use a topping compound to achieve your desired textures.
While you can use two different joint compounds for a job, you should first refer to your manufacturer’s instruction on the recommended practices. Additionally, you need to get in touch with a drywall contractor near you for more guidance.
Get in touch with Skyway Drywall Repair Services for all your drywall repair problems in St Petersburg, Fl. Call (727) 248-0108, and let us begin working on your project.
Please read our next article”Why Drywall Tape Peels“
