Drywall is a popular pliable material that is most commonly used to level various surfaces. These can be uneven walls, floors, or ceilings. Installation of such elements is quite simple, however, after its completion, as a rule, unattractive seams remain between the drywall. Today we will talk about the features and nuances of sealing joints between drywall sheets.
The need to seal cracks
Most often, for laying drywall boards, a reliable and strong frame made of metal or wood is pre-installed. Even if this design is made perfectly and there is a sufficient number of necessary profiles in it, the seams between the gypsum boards will still be noticeable. Their size directly depends on the condition of the edges of the facing material and the possibility of changing the dimensions of gypsum plasterboard sheets in conditions of temperature extremes.
If you do not seal the seams formed between the panels, then the surface of the drywall structure may become uneven or appear so - both options are undesirable. In addition, a coating in which there are conspicuous joints looks sloppy.
As a rule, seams between panels are formed if the sheathing is not rigid enough or there are not many profiles in the design. For example, under the weight of plasterboard panels, metal frames can be deformed. Because of this, the edges of the slabs begin to protrude unevenly.
Also, ugly seams between the panels can form due to the loss of the linear dimensions of the structure. Such phenomena most often occur due to temperature changes. In this case, minimal sheet shifts can lead to cracking of the material. Without sealing the seams, the facing material will quickly become unusable, since its edges will be directly exposed to external factors - to absorb moisture or dry out.
It should also be borne in mind that without finishing the joints, ugly stains will appear on the surface of painted or wallpaper-pasted drywall. Over time, finishing materials may completely detach from such a base.
What can you use?
The joints between gypsum plasterboards can be sealed with different materials.
Let's consider in detail the most common of them.
Paper tape
This material is sold in rolls. The length of the tape is most often 50, 76 or 153 m, the width is 52 mm. Such materials are made from special paper with increased strength. It is reinforced with fiberglass in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. As a rule, the surface of the paper tape is characterized by a rough texture, which provides a better and more reliable adhesion to the putty on the plaster.
The paper tape has a special depressed insert located in the center. Thanks to this element, it is very easy and convenient to use such material. In addition, paper tape is ideal for sealing corners of a structure. This material is not subject to stretching and crushing, unlike simple masking tape.
Of course, paper tape is not an ideal material. It also has its own weaknesses. These include a rather laborious installation process, especially when compared with the installation of an ordinary serpyanka. Such material is susceptible to the formation of air bubbles if there is an insufficiently dense layer of putty on the base.
To avoid such shortcomings, it is recommended to purchase perforated tape. Bubbles are much less likely to form under it.
Self-adhesive serpyanka
Most often, when sealing seams between drywall, craftsmen use a serpyanka. It is realized in rolls 45 and 50 mm wide, 20, 45 and 90 m long. Self-adhesive serpyanka is ideal for sealing joints between plasterboard panels with a thinned edge. In addition, this material can be used to repair cracks in the substrate or small holes. Currently, in stores you can find many options for high-quality and durable serpyanka, which is very difficult to tear.
Such a mesh happens:
- self-adhesive;
- not self-adhesive.
The latter product is more affordable, but its installation is laborious.
Using a self-adhesive serpyanka, it is necessary to take into account one important detail: an already started roll of such material should be stored only in a plastic bag so that the adhesive layer does not dry out and does not lose its properties.
Putty
This is another important component needed to seal drywall joints. Experts recommend covering the joints with a high-quality putty, which does not shrink and does not crack over time. In addition, the filler mixture should form a smooth and durable surface on the plaster base. Proprietary formulations produced by the Knauf brand meet these requirements.
Primer
Such a composition is necessary to protect the material from mold and mildew. In addition, drywall covered with soil is not so afraid of contact with moisture. As a rule, the primer is applied to the base in 2 layers.
Plaster
The plaster serves as a topcoat, creating a perfectly flat and neat surface. In addition, the plaster mix is able to provide drywall with additional protection and high adhesion to the following coatings to be applied.
Required tools
Before proceeding with the sealing of seams between drywall, it is necessary to prepare some tools and devices:
- A set of spatulas. Experts recommend buying three main instruments - wide, narrow and medium. The wide attachment is the least you'll use, but it can be used to smooth seams very quickly and easily.
- Falcon. This tool is optional, however, many craftsmen use it very often. Sokol is a special device for working with putty mixture. It consists of a flat plate and a handle.
- Level. Experts recommend choosing between a laser and a bubble instrument.
- You can buy or rent a special typewriter to putty the walls.
- Drill with mixer attachment.
- Primer brush and roller.
- Clean bar.
- Sandpaper.
- Special construction knife.
Buy only high-quality and reliable tools from well-known companies. As a rule, they have a high price, but they are reliable and durable, so it will be much more convenient and efficient to work with them.
Step-by-step description of the process
If you have stocked up with all the necessary materials and tools, then you can safely proceed to sealing drywall joints. Let's consider in detail how these works are performed.
Preparatory stage
Drywall must be securely and firmly attached to the crate. Clean the surface of the base from dirt and dust. If there are burrs at the joints, then they must be removed with a construction knife.
There should be no protruding elements and other defects on drywall and seams. The base can be wiped with a regular cloth. However, if the structure made of gypsum plasterboard has stood for some time, then it must be cleaned with high quality.
Be sure to check the caps of the screws.
Many craftsmen neglect this step, which further leads to the "stumbling" of the spatula on these elements during the application of the solution. Walk your hand over the fasteners. If in some area the self-tapping screw protrudes above the surface, you will definitely notice this. In such cases, the cap must be carefully sunk into the material using a screwdriver or screwdriver.
The factory edges of the sheets do not need to be subjected to additional processing. However, if your materials have joints of straight end sides or cut parts, then they need to be trimmed slightly. At the junction, a chamfer should be made at an angle of 45 degrees Parv. Its width and depth should be 5 mm. Cutting must be done with a construction knife.
Before the direct sealing of the joints, a primer must be applied to the plasterboard surface. If you bought a concentrate, then it should be diluted with water in certain proportions indicated on the package. If you have stocked up with a ready-made mixture, then you need to mix it well, and then apply it to drywall. At this stage, it should be borne in mind that the processed planes are clearly visible on the sheets, so the whole process must be kept under strict control.
Seams must be primed 15 cm on both sides of the joint.
Sealing of seams
You can proceed to the sealing of the seams only after the correct preparation of the base.
- The joints should be filled with tape. Previously, the technology was slightly different - first the composition was applied, and then the serpyanka was sunk into it. Today everything is different - tapes have adhesive coatings, so they can be carefully glued to the base. When the joint between the plates is sealed with a serpentine, the excess material must be removed with a knife.
- Before proceeding with the putty of the joints, you need to prepare the mixture. To do this, take a clean container and pour the required amount of water into it. Then you need to fill it with a putty composition. The required proportions are usually indicated on the branded packaging.
- Then the components are thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained. For this, it is recommended to use a drill with a mixer attachment. With such a tool, the mixture will be of better quality.
- Next, you need to take a small amount of putty, put it on a wide spatula with a narrow tool. First you need to fill in the seams between the sheets of gypsum board. Move across the joint, covering the groove, pressing the putty solution into it.
- Now you need to align the mixture along the joints so that the groove of the seam is filled to the end. This requires a 200 mm spatula. As for straight joints with a cut-out chamfer, then to align them, you need to apply the mortar in wide strips of 150 mm in each direction.
- To strengthen the corners of the structure, it is recommended to glue a serpyanka mesh with a width of 100 mm. It will protect materials from cracking. It is better to finish such areas with a special angled spatula. This tool is manufactured for both external and internal corners.
- After the base has dried, its surface must be leveled with a sanding bar, emery paper or a special abrasive mesh. If, after sanding the coating, you find any flaws on it, then they need to be repaired and re-aligned.
Thus, you will prepare the base for wallpaper or painting with your own hands.
Useful Tips
- Using a self-adhesive serpyanka, one should not waste time in vain, so as not to spoil the work. Unscrew the tape gradually, pressing it against the drywall joints or the opening between the floor and the panel.
- Experts recommend using gypsum plaster for such work. Such solutions are good because they allow the walls to "breathe".
- For priming drywall, it is better to use an acrylic composition, since there are many harmful substances in the facade solutions.
- When gluing the mesh, try to overlap the fasteners on the plaster wall.
- When preparing the putty mixture, it is recommended to knead no more than 5 liters at a time, since it begins to dry in the next 30 minutes. Because of this, you just have to throw away the hardened putty if you don't have time to spend it.
- If you are using gypsum plaster, you should remember that it is incompatible with materials such as chipboard, ceramics or stone.
- It is not recommended to use an oil-glue putty mixture for sealing joints, it gives too much shrinkage.
- In order for all work to be carried out successfully, the surrounding space must maintain a temperature of at least 10 degrees. Humidity should be within normal limits. Protect the room from drafts.
- Use only high quality and branded materials for work. Otherwise, the drywall construction will not last long.
- For work, you need to use clean containers and tools, otherwise the quality of the putty may decrease significantly.
- If you notice that spots have appeared near the seams on the painted drywall or wallpaper is coming off the base, this means that the joints were sealed incorrectly and of poor quality.
For a master class on sealing drywall seams, see below.