Finishing Drywall Joints: What to Avoid and the Different Techniques

Coating drywall joints to obtain a smooth wall is an art form in itself. Although still widely used to achieve an appealing finish, one must still take into account the errors normally done by novice renovation workers while undertaking this type of project to avoid making them in turn. 

Also, it can be pretty useful to note the differentiating techniques used to coat and finish drywall joints to choose the one that suits you best. But, most importantly, what exactly are the blunders one should avoid making when coating and finishing drywall joints?

Errors to Avoid When Finishing Drywall Joints

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First things first, avoid finishing drywall joints in rooms that aren’t sheltered from the elements: cold, rain, or wind. Indeed, adverse weather conditions won’t allow the joints to dry fully, which will cause cracks. 

Secondly, note that you should never proceed to coat and finish drywall joints on unstable gypsum boards. Ignoring such detail to complete the coating and finishing as soon as possible will be useless in the end since the product will crack in no time and you’ll have to start all over once the state of the structure is rectified. 

Another common mistake is thinking that a single layer of joint compound is all that is needed to conceal the hole left behind from the screw. Regarding this matter, a thick layer (even on a small area) will crack. You’ll then need to start over, which can be quite irritating. 

Layers of Joint Compound

Neglecting to apply the recommended three layers is strongly advised against, as this time-saving method can compromise the sturdiness of the joints. Furthermore, you’ll need to smooth out the joint compound at least three times before allowing it to dry, as to avoid air bubbles forming, which can be quite tricky to remove once at the sanding stage. Along the same lines, if you don’t allow the product to dry properly (usually for about 18 to 24 hours) between the layers, the outcome will be negatively affected.

Hence, it isn’t recommended to finish drywall joints less than 24 hours after the first gypsum board is installed. Besides, the same goes for the recommended time allotted when applying the last layer of joint compound and the finishing product. 

Type of product used

Another common mistake is to finish drywall joints around corner braces with a compound (cement) for standard joints when it’s more appropriate to use rapid-set cement. That way, it’ll also be way easier to have a smooth finish and aesthetically pleasing joint. 

It should be noted that overlapping joint strips can create bulging on the surface of the wall, so this too should be avoided at all costs.

The Different Methods of Finishing Drywall Joints

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There are two major differences in the suggested methods of finishing drywall joints. The first is the type of joint tape which can be used. Some will use adhesive tape, which has a criss-cross surface, and as its users will claim, has a better adherence than regular tape. 

As for the latter, it seems like it’s mostly chosen for its smooth texture and because it’s easier to conceal once the joint compound is applied. However, the risk of bubbling is greater than with adhesive tape, which is unlikely to peel off the surface. In some cases, people will use adhesive tape for horizontal joints and regular tape for cross joints. 

Secondly, some suggest only sanding the surface once, after the third layer. Although proceeding this way is possible, it can render removing any excess compound applied during the previous steps more difficult. Normally, it’s recommended to sand the surface after the second and third layers.