How to Use a Setting Compound on Sheetrock

Drywall compound seals the drywall joints and helps insulate the room.

Drywall compound not only seals drywall joints and helps insulate a room, but also acts as a fire barrier. Before any compound or tape is applied, all sections of ceiling or wall sheetrock are cut to size and installed in place, using screws for the ceiling and nails for the walls. The joints between each sheetrock section are then covered and sealed with compound. Where paper tape was once used universally to cover the joints prior to the application of compound, today sticky-sided mesh tape is also available. This makes the compound application process easier for the DIY sheetrock installer to carry out.

Things You'll Need

• Mesh tape
• Utility knife
• Corner beading
• 1 5/8-inch drywall nails
• Hammer
• Drywall tray
• Drywall compound
• Medium and fine sandpaper

Instructions

1. Pull a section of sheetrock mesh tape from its roll, and cut it to the required length using scissors or a utility knife. Apply the tape over all sheetrock joints, making sure the tape's sticky side is against the wall and that the joint runs along the center of the tape. Run your hands over the tape to make sure it is properly stuck to the wall.

2. Cut all sections of corner beading to the required length using the utility knife, and apply it to all outward room corners with 1 5/8-inch sheetrock nails.

3. Pour some sheetrock compound into a drywall tray. Scoop some compound onto one side of a 6-inch drywall knife. Apply a thin layer of compound over all mesh taped areas with the knife, feathering out the compound. Smear compound past the edge of the tape onto the walls, decreasing the thickness of the compound as you go.

4. Apply compound with the knife to all corner beading where the nails hold the beading in place, as well as all screw and nail heads holding the sheetrock sheets to the ceiling and walls. Wait at least 24 hours for the compound to completely dry.

5. Sand all compounded areas using medium and fine sandpaper to get rid of all bumps and ridges. If any mesh tape or screw or nail heads are still seen, apply a second coat of compound, wait for it to dry and sand a second time.

Tips & Warnings

• Though sheetrock knives come in different sizes -- 4 to 12 inches -- a 6-inch knife is suitable for most DIY sheetrock compound jobs.

• Wash the sheetrock knife and tray in hot soapy water immediately after use.

References

• "Home Improvement 1-2-3"; Benjamin W. Allen, Christopher Cavanaugh; 1995