What is the Purpose of Mudding Drywall?

The process of mudding drywall simply means applying thin coats of drywall joint compound, also known as drywall mud, to the joints and fasteners of newly secured drywall panels. Drywall mud is a gypsum-based compound that can come in either a dry powder or premixed form. The type of drywall mud used will largely depend on the needs of the project.

Mudding Drywall

The purpose of mudding drywall is to seal and strengthen the drywall joint tape and fasteners, provide a textured or smooth finish to the wall, and to seal up any cracks or holes. After all of the coats of drywall mud have been applied, dried, sanded, and textured (optional), the wall is then ready for painting. Ultimately, when done properly, drywall mudding is one of the last steps in the wall installation process.

How Long Does The Drywall Mudding Phase Take?

Depending on the scope of the project, the drywall mudding phase can take anywhere from a day to several weeks. If you are simply trying to cover a few holes or cracks in the wall, then this process should not take a long time; however, if you are mudding an entire house, then this process will take considerably longer. Other factors to consider are the physical environment, type of mud being used, how many people are applying the mud, etc. Many factors can play a role in how long the drywall mudding phase can take, so it is best to provide plenty of time for completion so that this process may be done properly.

How to Mud Drywall:

The steps below provide an overview on how to mud drywall. Be sure to use proper protection, such as a respirator and safety goggles, when mudding and sanding drywall. 

• Step 1: Prep the area you will be working in and prepare the drywall mud. Lay a tarp down or something to cover the floor so that you do not need to work about mud damaging the floor. Depending on the type of mud you are using, you may need to mix the compound. Be sure to follow the instructions for the type of drywall mud you are using.

• Step 2: Once the mud is ready to be applied, you should apply the first coat of mud to the drywall joints and fasteners. Be sure to apply this coat as smoothly as you can. Then apply joint tape to the joints of the drywall while the mud is still wet. Repeat this process on the corners.

• Step 3: After the first coat has dried, apply a second coat of drywall mud. Then apply a third coat after the second coat dries.

• Step 4: Lastly, once the third coat of drywall mud has dried, you can then sand the mud. If you wish, you can texture the wall with drywall mud or leave it smooth. 

The drywall mudding process is simple enough to understand, but can take a while to get the hang of it. If you do not wish to learn how to mud drywall by trial and error, then hiring our professional drywallers is the way to go.