How to seal drywall joints?

Without a doubt, drywall is a very popular material that is used to decorate living rooms. However, it is not the end result of such work, since there should still be a decorative layer on top of it. And this means that the surface must be carefully prepared. Particular attention needs such a moment as the repair of drywall seams - this stage is given great importance, since initially everything needs to be done correctly. In this article we will talk about how to repair drywall joints.

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Selection of tools and materials

Starting any work, you should prepare everything in advance. It is necessary to pay attention to tools, the minimum set of which is as follows:

• A set of spatulas - it is better to take three main ones: narrow, medium and wide. The latter will be the least carried out work, however, using it is very convenient to smooth the seams.

Important! If desired, you can also include a falcon in the kit - this is a special device in the form of a flat plate with a handle for working with putty. It is very convenient to take a solution from its surface, although its wide spatula will perfectly take on its role.

• Level.
• Drill with mixer tip.
• Paint roller and primer brush.
• Sandpaper and whetstone.
• Construction knife.

Do not forget about the materials, which should be a sufficient amount. What is needed to close drywall joints:

• Two types of compounds for puttying: starting - for sealing drywall joints and finishing - with which it will close joints of drywall.

Important! The second type of putty is needed for applying a control layer, making the surface perfectly smooth.

• The primer mixture is preferably acrylic.
• A special serpentine tape, which will be used to seal the joints of drywall sheets. It is needed so that subsequently the putty does not give cracks.
• Do not forget that the seams are also angular, so it is advisable to prepare special perforated elements and reinforcing tapes for corners.

Only by collecting everything in one place, we can say that the time has come to carry out work on sealing joints of drywall, since the process should not be interrupted due to the absence of anything.

Important! When choosing a putty, you should focus on the final decorative coating. Thus, for a wallpaper you can choose a drier mixture. But in any case, it is advisable to give preference to a gypsum-based mixture - this is a reliable composition, excellent for such work.

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Work with seams

The sealing of the joints between the drywall sheets has its own characteristics. To close the joints of drywall with your own hands, you need to follow the following rules:

• Observe the optimum performance for the work indicated by the manufacturer on the putty packaging.
• Avoid drafts.
• Check gypsum boards for secure attachment to the wall (profile). Any “festivities” of the sheet can lead to the destruction of the layer of putty mixture, even when gluing a sickle net.

Now you can start puttying the joints of drywall, which can be divided into several stages.

Stitching

This process is the processing of the edges of the material. The purpose of the event is to obtain a surface that will be most suitable for work. To do this, use a construction knife:

1. In places where two plasterboard sheets fit, remove all unnecessary (broken areas, cardboard scraps).
2. Start cutting the chamfer. Do it at an angle of 40-45 degrees. That is, it is necessary to ensure that the junction of the plates resemble one well-known symbol - a “tick”. It is more convenient to do this until the moment of fastening. Although, in principle, nothing will hinder to do after.

Important! On sale you can find drywall sheets, the edges of which are already processed at the right angle.

Primer

It is believed that a primer is optional, but this is not entirely true. Yes, drywall sheets have sufficient adhesion properties that can hold a putty layer, as well as a subsequent decorative layer. But why take the risk? The cost of such compositions is very small, and they are applied easily and quickly.

Important! It will be more correct to give preference to a mixture based on acrylic. It has good penetrating properties and dries quickly enough.

Jointing

The process of sealing joints of drywall begins with the preparation of a dry mixture. Dilute it with water and mix well. After letting her stand for some time, repeat the procedure. Prepare a small amount - exclusively for an hour of work.

Important! A sickle tape can be used in the work, but there is also a paper reinforcing tape for drywall. In their parameters, they are similar, only the latter is used for increased requirements to the resulting seam. For greater convenience, it is worth choosing self-adhesive products.

The process technology is as follows:

1. For the convenience of working with joints, take a small container, put a small amount of putty in it.
2. Take the mixture with the middle spatula, holding it literally on the tip. Start to smoothly rub it into the seam. You need to ensure that the solution completely occupies the entire volume of the joint.
3. Now cut the tape, which then stick directly to the seam. It should be clearly in the middle.
4. Squeeze a little sickle. Next, apply another layer over the entire joint - so the tape is immersed in the solution and becomes flush with the surface.
5. Smooth everything thoroughly. Check the level.
6. After the layer dries, use sandpaper.

Important! Work with paper reinforcement is different. It must be immediately cut into the desired size and pour boiling water. After that, apply a layer of mortar to the seam. After drying, it should be sanded. Next, squeeze the tape and apply PVA glue to the seam. When sticking the tape on the joint, it must immediately be greased with the same glue. Next, the surface is smoothed with a spatula.

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Other technology

There is another way that is a bit similar to that already described. But in order to close up the joints of drywall with it, some skills in handling the tool will be required. The work process is as follows:

1. Quickly coat the solution with a medium spatula, without removing excess and without smoothing.
2. Then take a wide tool, place it at an acute angle and swipe it from the bottom up.
3. It will be more correct if you press a little on it.
4. Thus, it turns out that the putty will fill in the empty areas and form a perfectly smooth surface, onto which then attach the reinforcing product.

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Stock footage

The result of this work will be a surface that only remains to be covered with a finishing layer of putty. If you did everything correctly, then there will be no cracks. In any case, the main thing is to do all the work painstakingly and carefully, especially if you have not previously encountered the process of sealing joints of drywall.