PRE-FILLING DRYWALL (HOW TO PREVENT CRACKS)

[@londonarmory2545]

Just have to say this Ben, you have pretty much been with me the whole way over last 2.5 months of fixing a disaster house me and my wife bought in dorchester Ontario 2:13 and I pushed my hardest to get it done by the time my first baby came. I wasn’t able to get it done in time since she came last week but I would be significantly further behind if it wasn’t for you and your videos. Almost everything I have needed help with you got me through it and my finished results on parts already done still baffles myself. Hard to imagine I did it. I’m an electrician with many different jobs since I was 14 so I have experience in most things but very humbling experience this has been. I wish I could buy you a beer but instead I’ll just give you mine and my families heart felt gratitude. I know it may not be easy doing what you do but if there is a silver lining you really saved my ass many times. Thank you again and keep on doing what your doing, you have a great ability to explain things most everyone could understand and follow.

[@BS-dq1kz]

He is saving my ass too right now as I finish our basement, which I’m trying to get done before my granddaughter gets here. lol. So kinda same boat. My 23 yr old son moved back in with us, along with his pregnant girlfriend. So, I’ve spent many hours watching his videos to do this properly.

[@christinekurz8862]

more than anything, i really appreciate you explaining “why” these steps are necessary. you are my go-to for all things drywall and i’ve learned so much from you. thank you!

[@bleskfrieda]

Thanks for the instructions. No nonsense, no stupid commentary or lousy camera work. You are a true professional. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@mikemalone9896]

You explain techniques so good! Thanks for taking the time to post these vlogs. I am 72 years old and taking on my last remodel and with your vlogs, it should be the best one!

[@jemfly1062]

Excellent presentation of quality work. Good descriptions followed by good photography. No unnecessary or irrelevant chit chat, just appropriate information and reasons for actions. No annoying or irritating background 'music' to distract from information. Excellent work ethic and attitude; i.e. 'Do it once, do it well.' So refreshing. Well done, Ben. 👍👍

[@vancouvercarpenter]

Thank you!

[@marcuscicero9587]

yeah I don't go to these videos for a comedy show either

[@jhyanathan]

@@marcuscicero9587 I do. This dude is hilarious in a nice Canadian understated way. The drywall (carpentry?) info is great as well.

[@kam5876]

Well said. I really hate the videos that include annoying background music and endless chatter.

[@DBZSeanzie]

That’s what this is one of the only DIY channels I’m subscribed to

[@travisfryman6355]

I am getting ready to do my first drywall work and feel much more comfortable about starting after watching your clips. You are clear and concise without going over the head of a newbie like me. Thank you for making these videos, I appreciate it more than you can 8magine!

[@tristanburton3298]

Ben, I’m putting a bathroom in my basement and have learned a ton from your vids. I wanted to let you know that my 9 year old daughter has been helping my prefill with quick set after learning from your vids. Greatly helpful channel!

[@roofgod0484]

Another great video! What I like about your videos is when you talk about common issues or mistakes in the work. All these tutorials and videos start out like "we have this perfectly framed wall and perfectly installed drywall in ideal conditions" Great...I can now do 60% of the project I'm working on.

[@bluesriderDF]

You have no idea how happy I am that I found this video! I was wondering what to do about some larger than desired gaps that I'm about to start taping, and now I have my answer. You are hands down the BEST DRYWALL GUY ON KZbin!

[@jackberlien8916]

Just started watching and can't say enough about how to-the-point, and yet entertaining and personable your videos are. There are so many videos out there that ramble and "um" and repeat themselves almost like they are being paid by the minute! Yours are worth every minute of watching time! Thanks!

[@Woolleybear]

I'm a UK plasterer. That's great advice, top quality work. First class. And a fantastic attitude to doing a perfect job. Well done keep it up.

[@TrueDJ]

Hiya Woolleybear, do you do much drywal tape and joints? Seems they have a better range of fillers in America than we have in the UK! I have a small extension that I'm building and have boarded it out with tapered edge board but can't decide what the best filler would be , any advice? If it goes completely wrong I'll have to get it completely skimmed 😀

[@larrygill2223]

You plonka!!!!

[@aaronjones3014]

Perfect! Exactly what I was searching for. You’re videos are extremely professional and just what I need to get through the muddying and taping process that I am SO0o bad at. Love the tip about cutting a gap in the butt joints. Wasn’t sure how I was going to get them right. This helps so much! Best drywall videos out there. 👏👏👏👏👏

[@Newlinjim]

Man I’ve watched most of your vids and just want to say thank you for taking the time to create them.

[@brettlarson9550]

Hands down the best diy videos on this subject! I bought a house with an unfinished garage and these videos have been priceless.

[@LUckybones25]

Thanks for your videos Ben. I’m a professional drywall finisher, but I have learned a few tricks from you over the last couple years. Many blessings.

[@Temuba]

For decades, I always prefilled for the same reasons you mentioned. Funny thing now when I do it at work the other guys think I'm being excessive. I like to go back to the projects they mudded and see most of the cracks and tape voids where they didn't prefill.

[@stevelerch27]

I usually hate drywalling, probably because I was doing it wrong this whole time. Now, I'm excited to go out and try some of these techniques.

[@maxmontana3044]

Love this guy, pure genius. Learnt how to feather my edges and don't mess with a lift off.

[@jgoemaat]

Omg in the first 75 seconds you answered the basic questions missing from all the other videos I watched - thank you for the great explanation!!

[@diligentdisciple]

One of the best "how to's" ice seen in a long time. Painting contractor here. Thank you for helping me level up my game.

[@etejan42]

Thanks! This video was so helpful in our bedroom remodel. I really appreciate all the information about problems I am facing and good advice to fix them. I used hot mud for the first time on this project and it so much better! I didn't have to wait 2 days for my mud to dry! Thanks from a DIY homeowner.

[@jalex19100]

Answered so many tiny questions...like when quickset is a better option, and why prefill. Excellent!

[@asafktm2610]

man....u have a really nice set of drywall vids, about to do a job at home and u are really helpfull!

[@vancouvercarpenter]

There will be a lot more coming soon!

[@leighjo70]

Excellent information. I have watched several of your drywall videos and I must say your teaching skills are easy to understand and informative. Will be drywalling a loft next month and your videos will definitely guide us along. Thanks so much!!!

[@jasonsmith2674]

Great job. Videos are top notch. I’m doing a small reno in our bathroom and your videos are helping a lot. I respect you very much for putting yourself out there to be ridiculed. Keep up the good work.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

Thanks Jason:) Comments like your do help. I get a lot of very annoying comments from people just looking to bash someone so yours helps to balance things out.

[@robertbertolini898]

It is extra work but bravo to you for going the extra step and it’s a tremendous help for non-professional DYIers. I have rental property and the extra effort is huge

[@31295spike]

Are you waiting for the compound to dry when prefilling , before taping and floating over?

[@TallTigerTwo]

It’s been 3y so you probably don’t need an answer, but for anyone else watching/reading, I think he’s letting it dry because he says in the beginning to use any mud that’s easy to sand if you put too much. So it sounds like you let this pre fill dry first…then you put down another layer of mud and embed the tape.

[@TapelessDrywallFinishing]

👍👍👍👍👍. Prefill is very important. But it’s quite a bit extra work. That was how I got the idea to mix fibre in fast setting mud and skip the taping process

[@josemsm80]

These videos have been a great help diy around my home drywall 1955 made home problems 👍🏽

[@feo2229]

I think a lot of "pros" don't like this video since they would have to admit they have been cutting corners for years :)

[@electricianron_New_Jersey]

Then they're not a pro now are they!

[@quinnycoleman7214]

If it needs to be pre filled pre fill it, if it doesnt dont, it's as simple as that. if they dont pre fill and it needed it, it cracks. If they cant figure out why they get so many call backs they aren't really a pro. it's not about going over board every time but knowing where you need to give more love. As a professional, I love this man and his videos, and I agree lots of tapers are hacks

[@ihave35cents95]

Some other idiot instead of carving out would use a hump trowl

[@ministerdavidsolomonahayah1630]

lol yup, i love it i am just learning taping after 20 year of painting. And i see the logic in the "extra work".

[@treelimb2878]

Thanks for posting. I'm repairing a small area after a foundation leak and I would have left the drywall edges open. Appreciate your expertise. You are helping regular Joes.

[@jmp-rider]

Wonderful presentation and info! Following your straight forward instructions made my project manageable! Your videos are excellent and appreciate your sense of humour! Nice to see a local on here!

[@aokspage]

Always prefill gaps. Then set tape after its dry or set. Plus you're tape will lay better in a formed corner or flat. Movement causes cracks. Screw correctly. If it's breaking the sheet, it's not going to hold well. Good video. Good tradesman✌🤙

[@WA1installer-br5sq]

I really appreciate all your videos I install commercial kitchen equipment and we'll my drywall skills really sucks and with you and your demostrations my skills may have become acceptable so thank you and keep up the good work

[@MoneyManHolmes]

This is not something any local builder would do because they only care about speed, not quality or longevity. If I was making a repair on my own house, I would definitely use this method.

[@escobarr8818]

I moved into another brand new house a year ago and all throughout the building process I would go visit the site just to see the working being done and was pretty disappointed with the "speedy, low quality" work that I was seeing. It sucks that companies in general are no longer interested in making a great product anymore.

[@SteveWrightNZ]

If customers quit crunching tradesmen for the lowest price, that situation wouldn't have developed into an industry problem. Everyone wants the best price so they get a crap job - too bad for them.

[@escobarr8818]

@@SteveWrightNZ "crunching tradesmen for the lowest price" isn't why a lot of tradesmen have lost integrity and produce work of diminished quality. Your statement is just not true. That whole "lowest price" business was spawned because tradesmen started competing with each other for customers. It's pretty silly to suggest that some tradesmen produce crappy work just because a customer wants a lower price.

[@SteveWrightNZ]

@@escobarr8818 That's the same thing. "tradesmen started competing with each other for customers" means they undercut their opposition to get the job. Tell everyone what happens when that gets done for 25 years and customers learn how to play the game.... Tradesmen can't eat or pay the bills - that's what happens. Think before you speak.

[@escobarr8818]

@@SteveWrightNZ "Same thing?" Really? Haha, dude where'd you go to school? You're so laser focused on trying to "win" a debate (where there is actually no debate at all) that you missed my entire point and should consider taking your own advice about thinking before speaking. Customer chasing lower prices DOES NOT mean tradesmen should do crappy work point blank period! I can put up a piece of cheaper drywall just as square and plumb as I can an expensive piece of drywall. That statement probably went right over your head. This is my very last reply to you, so have fun! ;P

[@djvasforever]

This video is what I needed at 4 AM. I've always been using mesh and not long ago made a switch to tape. Never used it before and ran into some problems, this video will help me do it right the first time and not to lose sleep over my work.

[@martinradtke5181]

Best series of drywall You Tubes I've watched. Thanks for your clear explanations and demonstrations.🇨🇦🇺🇸🔨👍

[@f.demascio1857]

I hate doing drywall & I am glad there are pros like you out there.

[@markbroad119]

Your the only other guy I've seen who likes to use a trowel. While going through editorial videos on drywall I look for yours and painting tips it's Idaho painter.

[@jeffreysword6294]

That comment about quick set for big gaps is clutch. 🔥

[@karmatias11]

My house was stick built with 5/8 drywall and my god did i need this information. I wish i lived nearby because i would hire you instantly.

[@coreygrua3271]

“Happy taping ahead.” Yes. Your efforts will bring happiness to contractors and DIYers all over the world. Thank you.

[@sglewis5167]

I have experience with mudding, but I wasn't aware of this stuff. Thank you for the great tips!

[@jdftwo1]

Ben you are a master expert at mud. If I am not sure of something? I watch your videos. Your the greatest

[@GarlandLym]

Great video. I had a house DIY to do today, and I came to your channel for some info. Within a minute, I found exactly what I needed and you included direct info and supplemental info that helped what I needed. this video was actually the second video, because I was referred her from your corner taping video. Thankyou.

[@davidrobins4025]

Thanks for this great advice with the "show how you do it" factor. I'm getting close to doing this very thing so your video has been a great reminder of how to do the job right. Thanks.

[@MrGooddoctor]

Great one bro. I’m pre filling today. This was helpful to watch before I get at it. A bit surprised to see you use that compound but you killed it!

[@mwighaman]

Thanks brother. I hung some 5/8 in my house last week and will be following these tips!!!!

[@Holdfast]

You gave me the confidence to build and finish my own wall!

[@loswillys23]

I consider you a drywall deity...grateful for your concise and incredibly helpful videos!

[@richardfossani6421]

Great video. So you let the mud totally dry in the cracks before you tape?

[@rafbmasson]

Yes! Same question here. :)

[@waverlh]

You have saved me countless hours of recovering cracks in my home job. Thank you!!! Your advise has been appreciated. Keep up the good vids!

[@romannavarro4521]

Ben I want to thank you for your videos I truly enjoy them as I was getting ready for my project. With the valuable information that you provide I was able to complete my project as a a first-timer accepting my fate of sanding. The project came out great and on my last joint I was getting the hang of it. I have to admit that now I watch your videos for the fun of it thank you and keep them coming.

[@robinvelasques-reyes8494]

I watch your videos and I been learning and get better on my finish jobs

[@sstritmatter2158]

Vancouver Carpenter (Ben) - excellent work and video instruction - one question do you sand the profile after it has dried and before taping or do you just get it as smooth as you can with a drywall knife and go right into taping after it has dried?

[@roaddoggharley9431]

Thanks for your tips ..my taping has improved dramatically and my speed has doubled and less of a mess ..thank you

[@jascam1]

Now that's how a Pro with integrity do a job.The average dry waller simply slap mud/tape/mud before filling the joints... Many Thumbs Uppppp

[@daveyboymusic6277]

That's why they're average. I've taped drywall for 36 years, and ALL real Pros always pre-fill a room, unit, house, etc, including areas of the board that are damaged, and make sure all screw heads are inset. That's Taping 101. I use a fast setting 45 minute mud, Durabond or Con Fill to pre-fill that sets up and dries fast. That way, by the time I've finished pre-filling, I can start laying on tapes.

[@scottcarpenter910]

Ben, I want you to know I personally find your videos extremely helpful. I’m a handyman and your videos me to give my customers a better quality job. Thank you very much

[@deviltriggervergil7301]

I’m repairing my wall that got termites this will be a good guide for me thanks for the video mate I’m a noob at this but iv been self taught my hole life so I should be 👌

[@zackally828]

I like the “sorry” note next to the electrical box where the rotozip got a little out of control 😂

[@jeremyalbert3969]

4:20

[@gtg837h]

Tell me you’re from Canada without telling me you’re from Canada…

[@micahthompson3762]

I would not consider myself a drywall professional (in terms of efficiency) but have been doing what you stated in this video for a few years now on any job that requires drywall work... with the exception I typically use 45 min set for everything.

[@mscottsimon]

Great content, no filler or unnecessary chit-chat to artificially lengthen the video.

[@MrKaaz]

So looking for the easiest and most forgiving for a semi skilled novice craftsman doing drywall and finishing work for small diy home renovation... Would you first, pre-fill all the gaps, screw holes and attach the paper tape using a Quick Set Mud (such as Easy Sand 45 or 90 perhaps) and then once dry do your final coats over the tape and final finish coats with an all purpose mud or can you just use the quick set mud for the entire job start to finish? Thanks!

[@brandonbender2212]

1st I never comment on videos and rarely even hit the like. But seriously thank you. I would have never gotten as far as I have without your videos. Helped out from the very start. I just finished taping and will start my first coat tomorrow (when I get off work. Oh buddy!) And I am confident in being able to do this because of your instruction (and even screw ups from time to time. Anyway thanks man for making these videos.

[@ds61821]

Very helpful video. I'm reviewing a lot of these as I tackle the bathroom remodel. Thanks.

[@justinstrand6423]

Try using durabond. The drywall doctor has videos explaining why it works much better than AP and in my experience it dries much harder

[@daveyboymusic6277]

Con Fill is excellent too.

[@calebenglert692]

Thanks for adding value to the world. I definitely picked up a few new tips

[@roland5615]

I’m a rough/finish Carpenter by trade. But I love to finish Sheetrock on my side jobs. Thanks for all the great experience you share. It really helps me become more valuable and deliver a superior finished product for my customers

[@TFSTrader]

You are a true craftsman sir. Thankyou for the videos.

[@jjh.7014]

I've watched your video like ten times!!! Trying to fix my brothers awful mistakes! Thank for all the info

[@wyattsdad8561]

These are some of the best how to vids on KZbin

[@joemacplumbing1227]

Finally I found someone who does it the same way I do it. Speed comes in not having call backs

[@codyparncutt4336]

The knowledge you give us is very helpful! All of your videos are very helpful and explanatory for the most part! Thank you!

[@docjohnson3980]

I'm a huge fan of your videos. Thank you for showing us all your great techniques.

[@Nostalgia244]

Prefilling would have been so helpful! Thanks for the tip!

[@petermartin8856]

Do let the pre fill dry before taping over or can tape straight away

[@ponchopelayo77]

Very helpful. I like to see someone taking pride of their work

[@rudymerced964]

Pre fill and then tape or wait for it to dry?

[@skliros9235]

This is the right way to do it, and fill the beveled edges too, always. Especially on ceilings. If you don't prefill, and ceiling trusses dry out, tape on joints can buckle slightly. But most drywallers skip this because it's more work.

[@strikingtiger-filipinomart5043]

I use super strength fiberglass mesh tape which is wider and much stronger than standard white or yellow mesh and I use fast set on all of my joints. I never had to prefill or cut butt joints and never got a call back due to a joint that cracked out. I've been doing construction now for over 45 years. My body jacked up from many years of hard labor so now I only do patch jobs part time and teach part time.

[@motorv8N]

Thanks very much for this. Haven’t hung a single piece of drywall but came here to learn maybe why our kitchen reno ceiling was full of hairline cracks a year after they finished it. Now I can talk intelligently about it with the contractor who has to come back to fix it all. 😎

[@chuckg2016]

I agree with the idea of pre filling; the question is how many contractors will apply the extra time.

[@zachmetzger4621]

Hey, this may be a silly question.. do you let your prefill dry completely before taping? I had my basement flood and am redoing the drywall myself. I have some spots that the mediation company made some holes and what not that need to be filled. Was wondering if I could do my prefilling today and tape at a later date?

[@adqsvk]

Many thanks from Slovakia! Still very helpful in 2021. BTW, how long do you wait before taping?

[@MrCJHamill]

Good video and great explanations about how to avoid cracks.

[@dienekes4364]

From now on, I'm going to leave that 1/8" gap in all my butt joints. I'm a buy-n-hold real estate investor and I want my rentals to last as long as possible, so the better I can do on my rehabs, the cheaper it is in the long run.

[@sherrywoodcock5012]

Thanks for your videos! My walls are turning out pretty good!!! Learning the proper way at the beginning, takes patience but, it is well worth it... mudding correctly from the start...., you just fly with it! thanks again!

[@Rios0590]

Great video from a do-it-yourselfer homeowner! Thanks!

[@alanshealy3061]

Great videos you do a great job I’ve drywalled for many years I’ve never prefill butt joints or 5/8 I’ve never had a problem just wondering maybe I use different mud or different method for taping ?

[@redsquirrelftw]

Interesting I recently installed drywall (I have a video of that pretty bad job!) and found out I'm not good at it. Lots of gaps and issues. So I prefilled lot of those cracks without realizing it was actually a real pro thing! Good to know. Only thing I did different which maybe I shouldn't have, is I actually put tape but only on one side of the corner. Intention is to come back after then do the corner tape too. Now I'm thinking I probably should not have put tape on the prefill. I'll see how it turns out I guess!

[@jasonjohnson3424]

that was my question....do u let the prefill mud dry first or do u tape over and keep going?

[@tammybugg9805]

This method makes sense to me. And, it seems that pre filling would prevent taping from bubbling. Is that right? I am finishing up behind my drywall guy and finding lots of issues.... 😩

[@ouagadougou62]

Great explanation of how to fill the joints. I just noticed that the drywall in Canada has an indentment or a recess part for the tape. Where I work, there isn't one. So with tape, it's always higher by about 1 mm or so.

[@jeanpaulremond3076]

Hey good videos thanks a lot. Can u put up how to tape when u have a factory edge and a cut edge ? So is not flush ? Thanks

[@waynehuffer6730]

Hey Ben: My repairs exploded when I removed old original mud and tape to repair cracks along the flat and butt joints of a sheet of ceiling drywall. Both seams on this sheet were nailed to air and were hanging joints. The butt crack just missed the 2x4 joist, so I had to screw a "sister" 2x4 to the existing joist to attach my two repair patches. These hanging joints caused the original installation to get damaged when they over hammered into air. So... the ends I am mating my repairs to are damaged. I have already removed a 3 inch swath along the seam of paint, mud, tape and bedding mud, down to brown paper along the 4 ft and 8 ft cracks. But this brown paper edge is damaged, chunks of loose drywall. I am debating whether I should replace these sections, using furring strips where I can, sister joisting, etc. or just remove loose drywall chunks/crumbs, and prefill the damaged seams. Got a recommendation? If I remove the most damaged butt edge of my old-installed drywall, I'd prefer to span to the next 24" joist and remove a 4 foot X 2 foot section of drywall and patch it, but with what I've seen, there's no guarantee that the next nailed section will be undamaged. It could be an endless loop. I don't want to grow this repair. What would you do?.... Wayne

[@PapajosTraders]

Good vid! I always prefill too. Sometimes even with Durabond 90 if really big gaps.

[@msk3905]

I hear and read this all the time but no matter I do I still get cracks. I prefilled a recent ceiling drywall job and made it a point to filled entire gap then tape and mudded then after it dried had it plastered. Year later two cracks….🤬. So frustrating I just dug out an angled cracked join then filled with Bondo, holding up better but there is a hairline crack again.

[@jaymartin5434]

Pre filling is needed because as you said regular mud won't dry all the way before you coat it again .and will shrink causing a dimple or indent I use durabond 45 brown bag not easy sand white

[@guysteel]

I did my garage with cathedral ceilings and pre-filled everything with a refillable large caulk gun. You just take the nozzle off the front and stick the aluminum tube into the bucket and pull back on the plunger and it fills up with joint compound. Then you can just "caulk" with the joint compound. It worked great, especially with the inside corners and at the peak of the cathedral ceiling. google "aluminum sausage caulk gun"

[@loser-nobody]

But how long do you wait before taping?

[@joaquinsuarez6090]

You can tape as soon as joint compound is dry.

[@paulmaxwell8851]

I'm working with a guy right now who has 'been drywalling all my life". He overdrives the screws, leaves huge gaps unfilled, won't bevel the rough edges of the butts and figures taping and mudding will cover all the mistakes. I'm dreading the look of the finished job.