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Do I Use Joint Compound or Drywall Spackle?

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If you have a drywall repair to do, and you have no idea what you are doing, it is wise to do your research first. It is very easy to make drywall repair mistakes, so familiarize yourself with the basics before you take a turn at drywall repair. A great place to start is understanding the various tools you need for drywall repair, like drills, saws, miter boxes, utility knives, taping knives, drywall tape, mud pans, drywall screws, and of course, your adhesion product. This can be either joint compound or spackle.

Continue reading to learn the primary differences between joint compound and drywall spackle, and which applications call for each.

Indianapolis Drywall and Painting 317-269-7319
Indianapolis Drywall and Painting 317-269-7319

Joint Compound

Drywall joint compound is a white powder containing gypsum board dust as its main ingredient. It is combined with water to produce a mud, which can be used for joining drywall seams and bedding drywall seam tape. It has a lighter consistency than spackle, which means it is not well-suited for the same applications. It can be used to patch holes and cracks, but it takes longer to dry and shrinks more than spackling paste.

Drywall Spackle

Spackle is different from joint compound since it is mainly used to patch up holes and cracks in plaster and gypsum board. It has a thicker consistency, which is why it is also known as “drywall mud.” Spackle comes in two primary forms: quick-setting and premixed. Quick-setting drywall mud is also referred to as “hot” mud because a chemical reaction occurs during the curing process that causes heat release.

Premixed Drywall Mud

Premixed drywall mud is the more common or traditional drywall spackle, probably because it is ready to use. The type of spackle you choose for your project depends on the type of drywall work you are doing. Hot mud is recommended for small patch jobs, like door knob holes because you don’t have to wait 24 hours to reapply your second or third coat.

Drywall Repair Tips

It is important to have the proper tools, materials, and equipment to finish drywall. Not only is it a challenging task to undertake without experience or knowledge, but it is also a costly investment. A better option would be to hire professional Indianapolis drywall contractors. They have the specialized training, experience, and resources to get the job done right, and in a convenient time frame.  This is strongly encouraged for large-scale or complex drywall repair projects.

Indianapolis Indiana Drywall Installation and Repair at the Best Price

Call Drywall by Local Builders at 317-269-7319 for Indianapolis drywall repair and installation service. We are experienced drywall contractors who offer a wide range of residential and commercial drywall service, including repair, replacement, installation, new home construction, metal stud framing, custom drywall texture, grid ceilings, and much more. Call 317-269-7319 to request a free estimate, today.

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors
Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Common Types of Drywall Spackle

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Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

If you are setting out to repair a patch of drywall in your house, be prepared to face a whole lot of options in terms of choosing a drywall mud. There are various types of spackle available for drywall work and repair, but each one has separate qualities that meet certain drywall patching needs. It is important to know these differences so that you can properly match the type of mud to your drywall project. This will give you the best results.

Continue reading for a brief description of the most common types of drywall spackle on the market and
where to find them at the best prices in town.

Drywall Muds

There are two basic categories of drywall mud: 1) Quick-Setting and 2) Premixed. Quick-setting drywall mud is also referred to as “hot” mud because a chemical reaction occurs during the curing process that causes heat release. Premixed drywall mud is the more common or traditional drywall spackle, probably because it is ready to use. The type of spackle you choose for your project depends on the type of drywall work you need to do.

Hot Mud Spackle

Hot mud spackle comes in powder form, inside a paper bag lined with plastic to keep moisture out and the product fresh. Once the mix hardens, it can no longer be used. Even if just a small portion of the bag hardens, the entire bag is compromised. You can purchase hot mud with different drying times, from 5-minute drying to 90-minute drying, and more. Keep in mind that the actual drying times are usually around 5 or 10 minutes quicker than advertised. So 45-minute hot mud will likely only take 35 minutes or so to fully dry. And it is not fully-dry until it turns entirely white in color.

Hot mud is recommended for small patch jobs, like door knob holes because you don’t have to wait 24 hours to reapply your second or third coat. But many experts say mesh tape should be used with this type of spackle. And since it is slightly difficult to sand, it is not recommended to be used as a “finish” coat.

Premixed Mud

Since this mud is pre-mixed, it is virtually ready to go right out of the package. Premixed spackle is generally sold in 4.5 gallon buckets or boxes lined with plastic at any home improvement store. All you have to do is add a small amount of water to the mud to soften it up before application. The amount of thinning depends on the type of drywall project you have on deck. For instance, a thinner consistency of spackle is likely a better choice for when bedding in tape or using automatic taping tools. On the other hand, if you need to apply the spackle to walls, mud that is too thin will shrink back too much. The different types of premixed mud include light-weight all-purpose, all-purpose joint compound, and topping.

Indianapolis Drywall Repair

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Call Drywall by Local Builders at 317-269-7319 for professional drywall repair and installation in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are highly-trained and licensed drywall contractors that offer a wide range of drywall services for residential and commercial properties. Trust us for outstanding results at a competitive price! Call 317-269-7319 to request an estimate for Indianapolis drywall repair, today.