How to Tape Corners of Drywall

If you've redone or added a room to your home, chances are you've put up new wallboard, or drywall. The next step is to tape and spackle the seams and corners and nail or screw heads. Taping and spackling inside corners can be frustrating, but using the right method and with some patience, you'll soon get the hang of it.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spackling compound
• Drywall knife
• Drywall tape
• Measuring tape
• Fine-grit sandpaper

1. Fill the corner seam with a generous amount of spackling compound using a 6-inch drywall knife. Fill the crack from ceiling to floor, making sure it is completely filled. Spread excess spackling compound onto walls on either side of the corner.

2. Measure the corner from ceiling to floor and cut a piece of drywall tape to the desired length. Fold the tape along the crease running down the middle of the tape.

3. Start at the top of the wall and press the drywall tape into the corner. Use the blade of the drywall knife to push the tape into the corner.

4. Use the drywall knife to feather excess spackling compound away from the corner. Smooth the compound over the edges of the tape.

5. Apply a second coat of spackling compound to the corner after 24 hours. Once again, feather edges and allow to dry for 24 hours. Repeat.

6. Sand dried spackling compound with a fine-grit sandpaper. Then paint or wallpaper as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Press your finger against the tape once you have pushed it into the corner as you run the drywall knife over the tape to make sure it does not slip out of place.
• You can also use a mesh drywall tape to tape corners.
• A special corner drywall knife with a 45-degree angle blade is available to make taping and spackling corners easier.
• Using too much spackling compound on the second and third applications can cause cracking later. Apply thin coats for subsequent applications.