How to Tape and Joint Drywall

[@paulstevens865]

Hi Stuart. Did my first bit of plastering today using your guidance and although it isn't the prettiest job, it would have been a lot messier without your help. Thank you, DIY Dad!

[@andymartin86]

Definitely my favourite DIY channel at the moment. Great videos explained very clearly, with a good sense of humour too!

[@ProperDIY]

Glad to hear that!

[@michaeldavies8297]

I wish all plasterers prepped ceilings like this. Our living room ceiling was shocking, all screw heads have popped plaster out and cracks on most joints. Good preparation is definitely the key.

[@yuriilukkumbure7416]

I’ve seen so many videos on KZbin where ‘experienced builders’ demonstrate plastering techniques; yet none of them have used scrim tape in the right way. This is the first time I’ve seen it used in the correct manner. Nice one! 👍🏽

[@ursamajor6546]

Best demonstration/explanation on the WHOLE of the Internet!! Many thanks 👏👏

[@kevintodd6150]

Being a decorator for approx 50 years, all we had in the old days was paper tape, some decorators liked to soak the tape in water before applying to prevent blistering. Another definite rule is never to use a paint with a sheen (i.e mid-sheen, silk etc) as these will highlight even the smallest imperfection. Always use a matt paint (usually emulsion).

[@paulthomas8262]

super matt is a godsend.

[@TAP7a]

I tried to tell my in-laws there was no point in using anything sheeny for the roof, but they weren't having it! They're dyed in the wool for white silk ceilings. Joke's on them, I'm a terrible painter but a very enthusiastic labourer

[@paulrowley71]

Loving the Harry Enfield tribute! Great job. That ceiling is coming along great. BOSH!

[@adrianandrewrogers]

If the filler is too dry/stiff add a little water and mix thoroughly to loosen it up

[@andykg73]

I used the knauf fill when i did my 90 degree ceiling/wall joints taping but that stuff took ages to go off. I then tried the green makegood which is the jointing and filling compound to use with tape rather than the red one you used which is tapeless and is thicker.

[@Paul-XCIV2]

For dust free sanding I can highly recommend the Mirka hand sander that plugs into your vaccum. Although I've never used it overhead, I'd imagine that would be quite hard going!

[@Christopher_T_Paul]

I recently replaced the ceiling throughout the downstairs of my house. I used the tape and fill process as well. However I used paper tape for all the joints and Easifill. The tapered joints are easy, the butt joints I filled around 8" past each side of the joint, to lose the tape bump as much as possible. Whatever tape you use, you have to make sure you have enough filler over the top, or you will sand through to the tape and cause you problems. Easifill is powder filler, so you can mix it as thick as you want. My first coat was thick to bed the tape, then a medium coat, finished by a very thin coat that covers any lift off or snags, no sanding inbetween coats. The third coat really reduced the amount of sanding I needed. I painted and then snagged again with filler where needed and my ceilings are flawless. I will never plaster over fresh plasterboard again....

[@isyt1]

You’ll get a better finish skimming it though and it’s much quicker. Trouble is, taping and filling is a DIY job if you’re patient. Skimming requires getting a plasterer in. Depends how important your own time versus cost is I suppose

[@Christopher_T_Paul]

@@isyt1 Taping and filling is faster from start to decoration by far than plaster as there is hardly any drying time. The huge drawback is that sanding can be messy if you don't have a specialist sander with extraction. The other drawback is butt joints, as there is a slight hump in the filler, but you can avoid butt joints on average walls as ther plasterboard will be long enough to go from floor to ceiling.

[@isyt1]

@@Christopher_T_Paul If you’ve got pros doing the taping then I’d agree it’s faster but if you’re doing it yourself you’ll probably do a second coat of filling after the initial sanding. And then probably shine a torch along the joints and wonder if you can be arsed doing another coat. And as you say, the sanding is so dusty it’s a hell of job unless the room is empty

[@Mikey-ns6nz]

Great video and welcome reminder of the 80's!

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@vince9196]

your videos and absolutely flipping brilliant... as a novice DIY'er trying a lot of projects i've learned so much from you and how to complete jobs in a practical way... great work!

[@SprocketN]

I never knew about the tapered edge on plasterboard. It’s true, you can learn something new every day 😀

[@ProperDIY]

Very true!

[@no_short_circuit]

Thanks for the video. You make it look easy but from experience as a reasonable DIYer I found it quite difficult. I didn't realise that there was such a "tapered edge" on the board and shining the light through it highlighted it well. The tip about where the light shines on the join is also worth remembering. Have a nice Christmas.

[@ProperDIY]

I'm glad I have shown you something new! Merry Christmas.

[@jonnyharris55]

You can mix a little water in with the filler to loosen it up

[@vukojebina1944]

Most famous/infamous plasterer, Moxey from Auf Wiedersehen Pet.

[@jayt9882]

My immediate thought for plasterer was Moxy off Auf Wiedersehn Pet... really showing my age!

[@stevenjones1009]

I would of fitted knoggins to support all the edges of the plaster board it’s a little bit of extra work but it stops any movement between the boards and cracking in the future. Great video 👍👍

[@ProperDIY]

You can do but modern house building doesn't do that. Once the joint is properly taped and set it's a very strong connection.

[@johnm3413]

Bish. Bosh. Great advice! Doing the garage ceiling is deffo the place to practice if new to plaster boarding. Looks great.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@jamesp739]

Garages are a great place to learn a skill. Great tip on using light to detect defects! Any reason you didn't thin the mud a little to help workability? Same question I asked in Part one....looking back, is there anything you would have done differently such as prefill your joints/seams, primer the drywall prior to painting? Great video and thank you for posting. Cheers!

[@awt]

I have seen a tip (somewhere on KZbin) to fold paper tape in half and rip the unfolded edge, in order to make the edge thinner and so easier to feather.

[@harryinhuahin1272]

This is a good idea, because you're feathering the paper. I used to do this with wallpaper, especially when making small repairs.

[@Hagar2670]

Good Job! My experience with ready mixed fillers are that they soften with a good stir with a filler knife. You can also buy (knauff i think) board end adhesive which is good to lock unsupported ends together. So next week plastering wall then? LOL

[@colingoode3702]

I was a big fan of The Friday Night Live show (UK version). It featured a who's who of young UK comedy talent of the time. "Loads of Money" & "Stavros" were my Harry Enfield favourites as well as Ben Elton when he unleashed his tirade on the politicians of the day (mainly Mrs. Thatcher) interspersed with the obligatory knob joke 😂. Good tips on plasterboard jointing. Plastering is a job I have never really been able to master & have managed to steer clear of so far. However, after watching this I reckon I would have a go at a garage ceiling or a utility room ceiling or wall. I did manage to fall through a ceiling once many years ago while I was installing central heating. It was a lath & plaster ceiling in my first house built in the 1880's. It made a right mess & resulted in the whole living room ceiling having to be taken down, boarded over & replastered - by a pro. You live & learn!

[@ProperDIY]

I've never fallen through a ceiling but been close a few times. I'm sure the mess it makes and the work involved in putting it back is a real pain

[@LeeBottomley]

Excellent video. 👌 Huge respect for the experienced tradesmen out there, but this video is ideal for me, the DIY’er. It basically gives me the confidence to to do tape and jointing, and to give it a go. It’ll never be perfect but you’ll get a great self sense of achievement for doing your best. I guess, the more you do it the better you’ll get. 🤔

[@1971wizzard]

Fantastic video Stuart, removing the fear of a once believed to be, specialist job. Yes one “can do It” after all!! Lol

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you!

[@harryinhuahin1272]

Excellent again... I keep forgetting to say, I like your logo - simple but with a nice 'diagonal' flourish... Every time I see your broom-head drop off I think: "You didn't wanna do that..."

[@simonmiddleton4977]

Great video as usual thank you. Thank you for also covering my question about the led lights. 👍😃

[@ProperDIY]

No problem

[@lenshand]

One thing I learned about joints. Use the tape or mesh, stick it up and then use white wood glue to stick it. Then, when dry, use your filler.

[@dougsaunders8109]

I was really interested to see how the ready made compound worked. Glad I used the Knauf mix up yourself stuff last year when I did my office. That looked like spreading a compound that had already partly gone off! Though when it is that stiff you don’t wear as much 😁

[@ProperDIY]

Yes, it wasn't good - last time I'll be doing that!

[@seancrowe3353]

Are there any alternative brands to try of ready mixed?

[@Vision2UK]

Our Redrow new build you can move the plasterboard up with your hand, can see all edges of entire boards, nail pops everywhere and severe movement from upstairs which sounds like a train. Redrow sent some guys out and they put 250 screws in lounge ceiling, another 250 in master above floor, redecorated the ceiling and the result is the same as before. NHBC tell us its fine, snagger has laser leveled it to be over 14mm sloped and needs noggins / bracing. 400 snags later, still fighting.

[@ProperDIY]

That is a shame - I feel for you. I wonder would thickness board they used? I think our house building standards have really been lowered to the cheapest possible. Not good that NHBC think it's acceptable!

[@Vision2UK]

@@ProperDIY I think it's the lack of enforcement of standards. Our house had all these snags left after all these works and those screws in the ceiling. What gets me is that the nhbc didn't even bother to measure it even though our snagger, Snagaroo (Paul Frost) did, sadly Paul passed away and we have been fighting Redrow and nhbc on our own. Not sure how they can ignore something measured. Were working with our MP on the new ombudsman and have gone to press which is everywhere at the moment. I sent you our reports a while back if you want to see the current standard of building. Can send you nhbc report too.

[@David-bl1bt]

@@Vision2UK sorry to hear of your plight. sadly "tradesmen" on new builds are a thing of the past. Builders want the job done as quickly and as cheaply as possible for maximum profit so there is no way they will use proper "tradesmen" due to the cost. They employ odd-jobbing contractors who are unlikely to have little, if any formal trade qualifications... A 3 week college course & certificate at best. If you pay peanuts you get monkeys. Time served apprenticeships and City & Guild qualifications are well gone. For this reason, and as your experience demonstrates, I personally wouldn't consider any new-build property. The nhbc "warranty" isn't worth fa, they are in cahoots with builders, so guess where their loyalty lies🤔 www.theguardian.com/business/2017/feb/05/new-homes-warranty-firm-pays-millions-to-leading-homebuilders Posting a link to your issues would be good to highlight the issues and hopefully preventing others from making the same mistake, or at least dodging that particular builder. Or even better, a youtube video highlighting their building "expertise" to name & shame them 👍 Good luck.

[@rpaasse6453]

The ready made compound, by my knowledge, should be thinned with water to. Finishing paste you can aply directly.

[@garyolsen3089]

Great vid. How do you finish wall edges external and internal using this method? Cheers.

[@awantamta]

That is looking really good and thanks for all the useful advice. How about installing some windows as a future project ?

[@AccountantDoesDIY]

Did this for first time on my garden gym build last year. I mixed the compound myself BUT was far far far too generous on the volume used. The sanding was HORRENDOUS! My deltoids and biceps were knackered by the end of it and the entire room was about half an inch deep in dust. It was still coming out of my hair two weeks later…. Also loved your point about blemishes at the end. I only plastered the ceiling of my gym and can live with the blemishes. The walls are all plywood so no tape and jointing to worry about there:-)

[@ProperDIY]

Yes taking off compound is far harder than putting it on.

[@chrismajor69]

I saw a tip on KZbin that it’s better to mix in some washing up liquid to make the filler more workable

[@jimporter]

Don’t take as gospel anyone suggesting using washing up liquid as a plasticiser, buy the purpose made stuff. The problem with washing up liquids is that they contain salts which can make their way through finishes especially bad when used in mortar cement.

[@littleGnT]

If this was a living room ceiling would you plaster the whole ceiling after boarding or just the joints then tape and paint?

[@brassroot166]

It definitely looked like hard work using that mud from the tub. I was wondering whether it would be a good option to use and then I saw your video. 😳Thanks Stuart.👍

[@MaxCJ]

You've done a nice job there

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@glynnhancock9546]

Great video as always. Where would you use tape and joint rather than plaster skimming? Thanks

[@kennethmolloy128]

Very helpful, thank you.

[@NAFO_Badger_Brigade]

Great video explaining the principles. It may have been worth adding a couple of cups of water to the so called "ready mix" just to make it a bit easier to work with.

[@MarcusT86]

Another fantastic video. If you are capable of it, I would love to see you do a video on plastering with multi-finish. Like on an old wall or even new plasterboard.

[@DjGiluk]

Great work Stuart - love the easy to understand explanations. Have a nice Christmas 👍🏻

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks, you too!

[@trevorwhite9138]

Thanks, this has been a real help.

[@martincook3201]

I think you could do a fantastic Grayson (from the Mr Cholmondley-Warner sketches)

[@haydenlewis9825]

I can see no cracks coming through that ceiling 👍

[@stevensmith8998]

Hi mate, great videos. Are you doing any showing boarding loft and doing stud walls and a floor? Cheers

[@potnoodle3419]

Hot mud on tapes.. "powder " esp fibre tape.. will get the job done a lot quicker . Premixed will air dry take longer to dry. Powder will chem reaction dry.. Just a handy tip.

[@danielfoord7464]

Good video i hope you have a nice Christmas 🎄

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you - you too

[@aaaaa4266]

Did u have to seal the plasterboard before painting

[@martynbuzzing3327]

That’s great, just what I needed to see. Thanks for the explanation. 👍

[@ProperDIY]

No problem 👍

[@FlowWorksArt]

Good Job on that ceiling, it’s a dusty process which is the worst part. Thanks for sharing the lights link. Yeah I never found the ready made compound any good as you can’t get it to the consistency to work with it easily. P.s first night in our new house and you got me itching to get diy ing

[@Stu1982]

Proper job, always ready for a stu video, 🤙🏻

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stevecook2137]

As that was originally a garage how do you stop the damp getting into the plaster board 🤔

[@davidross1210]

May I ask if you used the ready made compound (or "mud" as our colonial cousins would say) on the paper tape or did you resort to mixing your own as you seemed to be having an easier time of it? Merry Christmas

[@jigsey.]

Brilliant instructions and entertaining

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks

[@KienTang-y8u]

Just one thing you missed out. Gaps should be pre filled before taping

[@markhannan5167]

Great job

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks

[@hazmanhatta9964]

how did you do the part where the plaster met the wall? with mesh tape or without?

[@antonyporter5045]

great video......... what make/model are those work lights

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. Links for the lights in the description

[@qwertyuiop124172]

Hello Stuart, Good afternoon, Brilliant video on plastering. I have checked in the description of materials used in plastering. Mesh tape, Paper tape, Long pole sander, Long pole painter and roller, Ready mix jointing compound, etc. I am about to do my children's rooms over Christmas break so please advise me the stuff you used, and where to get it. Thank you. Wishing you and your family very happy festive holiday and happy New year. Best wishes from Leicester, ENGLAND. Ahmed.

[@beeftec5862]

This isnt really a plastering video, when plastering you put a skim over the entire wall surface (normally after this stage of joining the plasterboard

[@notaclue]

Google?

[@ProperDIY]

Most of the tools you can get through Amazon. However I tend to use Screwfix and B&Q for my materials who will have everything in stock I'm sure.

[@barrywall3333]

Excellent Stuff Stuart - I do recall the Loadz money reference! Have a great Christmas - will there be a "12 vids of Christmas?" 🤞

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. No 12 vids of Christmas I'm afraid - it's hard enough to do 1 per week!

[@harryinhuahin1272]

@@ProperDIY - You could try 12 brief clips (like your opening sequence) of previous episodes... Not that I'm trying to make work for you... Happy holidays, M8.

[@LondonStuff.]

Confused as to why your sheets demo has different stud layouts.

[@kevincox5232]

How did you find the pre nixed compound?

[@christopherjones5583]

B&Q sell it.

[@dillsplosion5334]

That stuff he is using in the video is diabolical, its b&q rubbish

[@philrockabilly]

Good work. I need to do this soon (smaller room) so thanks for the tips. I think my style will be HE's Tim Nice but Dimm...🤣🤣🤣🤦 Merry Christmas.

[@ProperDIY]

Have fun doing this - I could spend all day coming up with Harry Enfield quotes

[@wolfkayak9]

I thought it was only the Americans that did walls and ceilings like this? I'm just used to having the walls skimmed over completely.

[@arronnorton8457]

How come you haven't plastered it skim coat

[@brianherald5756]

Pre fill my friend

[@garytango]

👍👍

[@olson.pamela]

make sure you use a lot of good lighting while you are doing this job. I carry around a 3000 lumens flashlight that will quickly pick up blemishes I missed. Especially if you are over age 40 and need reading glasses.

[@ProperDIY]

It comes to us all

[@NikNakGB]

Sir Henry Cooper, Sir Sean Connery & Frank Sinatra were all plasterers in their lives & more famous I think than 'loads of money' character

[@ProperDIY]

They may be more famous but no one knows they were plasterers!

[@NikNakGB]

@@ProperDIY I thought it was common knowledge that Henry Cooper's punch was more powerful from his time spent pushing plaster onto a wall, not as funny as Harry Enfield's character though

[@markhoulding1938]

You could of made life easy buy using a curved drywall trowel on butt joints then 10 or 12” knife either side of joint also buy yourself a mud pal for the knives it’s easier to keep blades clean and control the mud 😉👍

[@somewhereelse3813]

Brilliant. Will that mesh work on the Mrs wrinkles?

[@ProperDIY]

You can try !

[@CRAZYCR1T1C]

Loadsa 💰

[@garvielloken3929]

Nooice!

[@markw7997]

Put your mesh in the microwave for about 20 seconds it makes the glue stick better .

[@ProperDIY]

Not heard of that - good tip!

[@1442GlennLane]

Is that on defrost or max power? 😂

[@cragly8759]

Nice video Stuart as always. Maybe I missed it but it would be good to know what the rest of your plans are for your workshop. I have a new build garage that I’m going to turn into a workshop. I’m going to be following your vid of cutting in a new side door and adding plasterboard. I’m also thinking of soundproofing the walls and lining with Ply. However I may end up using plasterboard and taping due to the silly price of Ply at the moment. So it would be really good to know your long term plans. Have a good Christmas and hopefully a prosperous 2022 for you and your channel.

[@normancoutts]

Well done, but no, I don't fancy that myself. Time to call in a pro - at my age.

[@SpartanMJO12]

L O D S OF E M O N E What's that spell? Loadsamoney! Probably...

[@ProperDIY]

Nice one!

[@SteveMonk1956]

Nice job and I bet it saved you "Loadsa Money" :-)

[@ProperDIY]

Certainly did - bosh!

[@harryinhuahin1272]

@@ProperDIY - Don't call him, Bosh...!

[@marksheppard9880]

I was using automatic tapers, and boxes 30 years ago. Keep up.

[@cyclingjoezone]

I was with you until you sanded