Whenever you’re mudding drywall joints, you must use drywall tape. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a fan of fiberglass mesh tape or paper tape.
But as long as you do use tape, you’re assured of smooth-looking joints that will hold up for decades. However, because we are human beings, it’s normal for us to make mistakes such as forgetting to tape a drywall joint.
You may have been in a hurry to finish up the project or it may have been your first time mudding a drywall joint.
It’s understandable. And that’s why I decided to come up with a detailed guide on everything you should know about forgetting to tape drywall joints.
What to Do If You Forget to Tape Drywall Joint?
Step 1: Identify the joints that you forgot to tape
You have to figure out which joints you have forgotten to tape. If you didn’t use tape throughout the entire project, you’ll need to repeat the steps below on all the drywall joints.
Step 2: Sand or scrape the existing joint compound
You’ll need to dig out the existing joint compound so that you can create room for the application of drywall tape. There are two approaches you can use which depend on the condition of the existing joint compound.
If it’s already dry, you’ll need to sand it down until you reach the drywall joint or you have enough depth to fit the tape. If the mud is still wet, grab a putty knife and scrape it gently to avoid damaging the drywall.
Step 3: Apply the Drywall Tape
Now that you have room for the drywall tape, apply it over the exposed joint. Fiberglass tape is much easier to install than paper tape.
If you’re not very experienced in drywall installation, use fiberglass instead of paper tape. I’m not going to get much deeper into this comparison because that’s not the focus of today’s article. So, ensure that the tape covers both sides of the joint.
Step 4: Re-mud the drywall joint
Proceed to re-apply the joint compound over the taped drywall seam. Use the same drywall knife you did earlier.
Ensure that the tape and joint are evenly covered with drywall mud. Finish up by feathering the joint compound to create a smoother finish.
Step 5: Let it dry and sand it once more to get a smooth finish
Because drywall mud dries within 24 hours, wait until it’s fully cured and sand it down once more to get a smoother finish.
If you forget to tape the drywall joint, you have to restart the procedure from the beginning. There is no shortcut. I understand that sanding, taping, and re-mudding the drywall joint is a lot of work.
But it will save you from costly repairs later on. Also, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your drywall joints are reinforced with tape.
What Can Go Wrong If You Forget to Tape Drywall Joint?
There are many reasons why you must use drywall tape when mudding joints. To prove to you how useful this material is, here are some of the things that can go wrong if you forget to use it;
• The joint will be more vulnerable to cracking – One of the uses of drywall tape is to reinforce the structural integrity of the joint compound. Without it, the joint compound may develop cracks as a result of structural movements and changes in temperature.
• It will be difficult to conceal the joint – Joint compound or drywall mud isn’t enough to conceal drywall seams by itself. And that’s where drywall tape comes in.
If you forget to use it, the joint between drywall will still be visible even after painting. If the joint is still visible, the final aesthetics will be interfered with.
• You may run into moisture issues – Another reason why people use drywall tape is to prevent moisture from passing through the gaps between drywall. If you don’t use it, moisture can penetrate and damage the interior components or trigger mold growth.
• Such joints are more difficult to repair – On a drywall joint that hasn’t been taped, repairs are more difficult because nothing is holding the joint compound together.
• A tapeless drywall joint is structurally weak – Because it lacks reinforcement, such joints are easily susceptible to damage and premature failure.
As you can see from the above, forgetting to tape a drywall joint can lead to a myriad of problems in the future. If you’ve forgotten to tape the joints, remedy the situation ASAP, using the steps I have shared above.
Can You Apply Drywall Tape Over Dried Mud?
If you have forgotten to tape a drywall joint, you may assume that applying the tape over the dried mud can fix the problem. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but that will not work.
Tape is designed to be applied before drywall mud. And the other thing is that these two must dry together to create a strong bond.
Should you decide to apply drywall tape over dried mud, the first obstacle you’ll run into is adhesion. It will not bond firmly and as a result, its lifespan will be shorter. The second obstacle is that you will be creating an uneven surface that can’t be sanded down.
To emphasize what I discussed earlier, there is no shortcut to resolving this problem. Sand the dried mud to create room for the tape. Apply it and re-mud. That’s the only way you can fix this issue.
Why Do People Forget to Tape a Drywall Joint?
From the research I have done, here are the most common reasons why people forget to tape a drywall joint;
• Lack of experience – If you’re new to installing drywall, you may not be aware of the advantages of using tape. Therefore, let alone using it, you may forget to buy it when gathering materials for this project.
• Being in a hurry – Sometimes, if you’re in a hurry to finish up the drywall installation job, you may find yourself forgetting to tape the seams. This is one of the main reasons people skip using drywall tape.
• Overconfidence – I was surprised to discover that there are people who advocate for a tapeless drywall joint. If you believe that a drywall joint does not require tape for your specific reasons, you may choose to proceed with the installation without using it.
• Following an incorrect guide – There are a lot of guides online on how to install drywall. Should you accidentally run into an incorrect one that skips the taping step, you may unintentionally forget to do this.
Always follow guides from trusted experts and never rely on the advice of one person. Always get a second and third opinion.
• Lack of focus – This is a task that requires keen attention to detail. If you lose focus mid-journey, you may forget to tape the drywall joints and remember when you’re done.
Does a Tapeless Drywall Joint Affect the Resale Value of a Property?
Yes, it does! If you forget to tape the drywall joints, the visible and uneven seams will make your wall look hideous. It will also portray a lack of professionalism in the home’s finishing.
And this isn’t the first impression you want people to have when viewing your property. A tapeless drywall joint comes with all the drawbacks I discussed earlier. And trust me, no buyer wants to inherit those problems.
So, if you’re repairing your home with the hopes of selling it in the future, please do not forget to tape drywall joints.
And if you do, use the method I have shared with you to fix that problem before the resale value of your home decreases.