Can we talk about low humidity cracking your mud work?

So I was finishing a job in a really dry house, and I applied the joint compound like usual. But the air was SO dry that it started to crack before I could even touch it. On the long ceiling seam, it looked like a spider web after just an hour. I had to scrape it ALL off and re-tape, which was a huge waste of time. Now I ALWAYS use a gauge to check the moisture in the air before I start. If it's too low, I mix the mud a bit wetter to slow things down. Trust me, it saves you from a total do-over.

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3 Comments

noah_barnes7mo ago

Just hit it with a spray bottle first, right?

5

the_drew7mo ago

No way it cracked before you could touch it!

3

taylor.mary7mo ago

Yeah, it can set up that fast in super dry air. The water just gets sucked right out of the top layer. That's why wetting it down a little first can actually help a lot.

3