How to Tape & Float

Taping and floating drywall joints takes a bit of practice.

Taping and floating drywall joints takes practice; the more you do it, the better you will get. There are techniques that will help you get started so that you do not end up with humps in the drywall. The key to taping and floating drywall joints is applying just enough drywall compound to cover the tape. Taping and floating is a four-step process, but the time you spend properly finishing drywall seams will result in a flawless wall surface ready for painting.

Things You'll Need

• Drywall compound
• 5-gallon bucket
• Variable-speed drill
• Mixer bit
• Mesh drywall tape
• Utility knife
• 3-inch putty knife
• Drywall corner tool
• 5-inch drywall knife
• 10-inch drywall knife
• 150-grit drywall sandpaper

Instructions

1. Fill a 5-gallon bucket half full of premixed drywall compound. Add approximately 1 inch of water across the top of the drywall compound. Insert the mixer bit into the variable-speed drill and use it to blend the water into the drywall compound, which makes it easier to spread across the joints. Add more drywall compound if you the compound is too wet; it should not run off the drywall knives.

2. Cut a length of mesh drywall tape with your utility knife. Make the strip long enough to cover one drywall seam. Press the tape in place over the seam; mesh tape is sticky on one side, so you do not have to apply compound first. Repeat for each flat seam.

3. Work from the ceiling down the wall for vertical seams. Work from the right or left on horizontal seams, based on which hand you use the most.

4. Apply a thin coat of drywall compound to the taped seam with a 5-inch drywall knife. Scoop compound onto the knife, then place the knife on the wall and pull it across the tape until the knife is empty. Go back over the applied compound with the drywall knife to smooth it out and scrape off thick edges. The drywall compound should be no more than 1/16-inch thick when applied properly. Repeat this step for each flat seam.

5. Cut a length of drywall tape for each corner seam. Tuck the tape into the corner so that a portion of the tape rests on each wall. Cover both sides of the tape with drywall compound, using the 3-inch putty knife. Smooth the compound out and evenly disperse it in the corner with a V-shaped corner tool.

6. Allow the first coat of drywall compound to dry overnight. Premixed drywall compound can take up to 24 hours before it is completely dry.

7. Apply a second coat of drywall compound -- on the flat seams only -- using a 10-inch drywall knife. Pull the knife across the seams to completely cover the tape, then immediately go back over the seam to smooth out the compound.

8. Apply a second coat of drywall compound in the corners with the 3-inch putty knife. Smooth the compound with the corner tool.

9. Allow the drywall compound to dry overnight. Sand it with 150-grit drywall sandpaper so the seams are smooth and level with the surrounding wall surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Mesh drywall tape eliminates bubbles that can occur with paper drywall tape.

• You will have less sanding to do if you do not create thick edges when applying the drywall compound. It is better to apply several thin coats to cover the tape than to apply the drywall compound too thickly.

• Wear a dust mask rated for fine particles before you sand. Close or cover all air-return vents. The return vents will draw the sanding dust through the ductwork and spread it throughout the house. If possible, shut off the central heat and air while you're working.

References

• Drywall Info: Steps for Taping a Joint
• Popular Mechanics: How to Finish Drywall -- 18 Steps to Smooth Joints
• Ask the Builder: Ten Secret Drywall Finishing Tips