Hot take: mudding vs taping first on butt joints...

I had a ceiling joint blow out on me last Tuesday in a new build over in Tacoma. I always tape first then mud, but a guy at the supply house swears by pre-filling the gap. Which way do you guys go on butt joints when the gap is over 1/8 inch?

2 comments

2 Comments

paul33020d agoMost Upvoted

Slammed a ceiling joint last Wednesday that had a 1/4 inch gap and yeah @brian303 is totally right, I used to just tape it and ended up with a crack right down the middle two months later. Pre-filling that gap with a first coat of all purpose and letting it tack up before the tape saved my ass on that one.

brian30321d ago

That line about "pre-filling the gap" from the guy at the supply house is exactly what I'd recommend for anything over 1/8 inch. I learned the hard way years ago that taping a wide gap without pre-filling just leaves you with a hollow spot that cracks every time. I'll fill the gap with all-purpose mud, let it set up firm but not fully dry, then tape over it while the mud is still a little tacky. Makes the joint a lot stronger and you don't end up with that dreaded bubble or sag in the tape. Just don't overfill it or you'll be sanding forever.