Friday, May 18, 2018

Patching Things Up With A Drywall Mud Dispenser

By Sarah Gibson


People build walls to create a degree separation between space, to denote where one space ends and another begins. Walls are so effective that the construction of them can be a time consuming process. But using a drywall mud dispenser can make things a little bit easier for all parties involved.

Drywall is constituted from gypsum. They are widely available in rectangular boards. They were developed early in the twentieth century, between 1910 and 1933. But their widespread use is only fairly recent. Earlier construction used the lath and plaster technique, which slowly lost popularity with builders thanks to advent of a simpler method.

Drywall, also known as sheet rock or gypsum panels is found in most homes in most developed countries around the world, at least, in most newer homes. Some older homes will not have any, having been built before the prevalence of using gypsum panels. They are mainly used to finish the construction of interior walls, serving as the surface, the part that gets painted over eventually. It is also used on some roofs, for the same reason as walls.

There are numerous reasons to use mud and a roll of tape. The mud is not really moist dirt, it is actually a joint compound made of gypsum powder and water, with the consistency of cake frosting or the namesake object, hence the name. The tape can either be regular paper or a mesh variant. They are both used in the act because plaster boards come in uniform sizes but interior walls and the houses they are built in do not. As such, it may be necessary to use multiple panels or to cut a panel down somewhat. However, doing so leaves seams, gaps in between panels. The materials are used to fill those gaps, to create the illusion of seamlessness, especially when the wall is painted over.

The tools are not hard to use. First is the joint compound, which comes in a bucket. Then comes the trowel, to hold and apply the mud. To keep the hands free, a holder can be used for the tape, to secure and dispense. Finally, there is the knife. Survivalists often state the knife is the most versatile of tools and this is not different. The knife can be used to apply the compound, cut off bits and pieces off the tape, and to smooth out the surfaces.

Using mud and tape is easy enough. The first step, after getting the sheets secured on the wall, is to apply the mud. The trick is to apply an even amount throughout the seam, to prevent dry spots. Once the compound has been applied, apply the tape over it. Once that is done, all that if left to do is to smooth out the surface.

Getting everything needed is easily accomplished. A hardware store will more than likely have everything required. If not, an online retailer will.

Like anything else in construction, safety precautions should be taken. The compound is not corrosive, but it should definitely not be ingested in any way, shape, or form. When working on ceilings on high walls, be sure to secure the position to prevent falling over.

Homes are meant to be beautiful. Skeletal walls are not beautiful. Luckily, applying an outer coat is fairly simple and straightforward.




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