How to Tape and Mud Drywall

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 1 - 2 hrs
  • Total Time: 2 days
  • Yield: Tape and mud wall 128 square feet
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Estimated Cost: $20 to $40

Drywall taping and mudding, for many DIYers, is the most challenging part of drywall installation. The process isn't exactly art, but it can seem that way since it requires a careful hand. With a little practice, though, successful and professional-looking drywall taping and mudding can be achieved by nearly anyone.

Taping and Mudding Basics

Taping and mudding drywall happen in the middle of the drywall installation process. Taping and mudding—two events that are done at the same time—happen after the drywall has been hung and before sanding.

  • Taping: Taping is the process of applying paper or mesh tape over joints between drywall sheets.
  • Mudding: Mudding is the process of applying drywall joint compound, called mud, to drywall screw holes and over drywall tape.

Before You Begin

The drywall should already be installed (hung). Screws should be no more than 16 inches apart in the center (field) of drywall panels and no more than 8 inches apart on wall edges.

On ceilings, drywall screws should be a maximum of 12 inches apart on the field and no more than 7 to 8 inches apart on the edges.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • 6-inch drywall knife
  • 10- or 12-inch drywall knife
  • Drywall tray

Materials

  • Drywall joint compound
  • Paper drywall tape

Instructions

taping technique for drywall

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Instructions

  1. Add Mud to the Tray

    With the 6-inch drywall knife, add a couple of scoops of mud to the drywall mud tray.

  2. Apply Mud to Screw Holes

    Use the drywall knife to apply joint compound, or mud, across screw holes in the face of the drywall. Swipe a small amount of mud across the hole, followed immediately by a 90-degree swipe.

  3. Apply Mud to Joints

    Mud the drywall joints before taping. Use the 6-inch drywall knife to apply mud to the seams between sheets of drywall. Apply only a thin coat, as this will be used to adhere the tape to the drywall and not to act as a filler.

  4. Apply Tape to Mudded Joints

    By hand, press the drywall tape into the wet mud. Use the flat of your hand rather than your fingers. Immediately proceed to the next step.

    Tip

    Before applying the mud, cut the paper drywall tape to length as this saves time and prevents the mud from drying on you.

  5. Smooth Down Tape

    Further smooth and embed the tape in the mud base with the 6-inch drywall knife. Wipe away any excess and deposit it back in the drywall tray. After applying the first layer of mud under the tape, you can add one more thin coat of mud to get a smooth finish.

  6. Sand Dry Mud

    After taping and smoothing drywall, wait one day to allow the mixture to dry overnight. Next, lightly sand off any bumps before applying another coat of mud. Go easy with the sanding at this point to avoid abrading the drywall tape paper.

  7. Apply Second (Filler) Coat of Mud

    With the 10- or 12-inch drywall knife, apply a second coat of mud to the seam. This coat is sometimes called the filler coat. The tape should show through the filler coat. If it doesn't, your filler coat is too thick.

  8. Apply Third (Final) Coat of Mud

    Carefully apply the final coat or coats and feather it out well with the 10- or 12-inch knife. One error with butt joints is to use too much mud under the tape, creating a hump that is hard to hide with all of the thin final coats.

    Butt Joint

    Butt joints are seams where two panels meet at their square (not tapered) edges, so there's no recess for the tape and mud.

Drywall Taping and Mudding Troubleshooting

Inside drywall corners look ragged, not straight

Instead of creasing all-paper tape to form corners, mud and tape inside drywall corners with metal-reinforced corner tape. Metal-reinforced tape combines a metal angle with paper flanges for a perfectly shaped and smooth inside corner.

Drywall tape shows through the mud

If the drywall tape shows under the mud, the coating is too thin. Use three layers: tape coat, filler coat, and final coat. Covering the tape comes only with the final coat or coats. If your initial final coat doesn't cover the tape, apply more coats, but keep them thin.

Mesh tape shows through the butt joints

Mesh tape is difficult to mud, especially for novice drywallers. Switch to paper drywall tape.

Paper tape is visible on butt joints

Apply a little extra pressure to the knife when smoothing the tape over the initial layer of mud helps to squeeze out excess mud from behind the tape.