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.

3 comments

3 Comments

noah_barnes1mo ago

Just hit it with a spray bottle first, right?

the_drew1mo ago

No way it cracked before you could touch it!

taylor.mary1mo 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.