Friday, May 18, 2018

Patching Things Up With A Drywall Mud Dispenser

By Sarah Gibson


Walls are erected to separate things, to create a divide, to create borders between spaces. They are very good at what they do. But building them can take some time and effort, it can take a little bit of sweating. But having a drywall mud dispenser around can make it a little bit easier.

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 has many other names, like sheet rock, gypsum panels, plaster boards, and gypsum boards. Many homes developed quite recently will have interior walls and ceilings finished with drywall panels. They are not as present in older homes though, or homes made to look older, as some older homes were constructed well before sheet rock became widely used.

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.

Obtaining the necessary tools and materials is not a difficult task. Most are readily available in hardware stores and big chain shops. If not, online retailers will definitely have what you need for the task at hand.

There are some safety precautions to consider. While the compound itself is harmless, the tools used are sharp and stiff, so they should be handled with care. When treating higher walls and ceilings, every precaution to secure a position should be taken.

Smoothness and symmetry are the keys to the job of home improvement or construction. Making things look pretty is the endgame of the job. Luckily, the finishing touches are fairly easy to do.




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