georgiamudman

This winter we are having more issues with hairline cracks, mostly in the ceiling. Anyone else having it? What kind of mud and board do you usually get? Do you screw and glue? Any help would be appreciated.

Muddauber

What mud are you tapeing & finishing with?A few years back I started getting hairline cracks in flat joints in some of my jobs.Finally noticed the only time this happend was when I used Gold Bond mud.Stopped using the mud and the cracks stopped showing up.
You said "winter".Were the ceilings insulated,and was there proper heat on the job while finishing?

Tim0282

Did you switch to USG mud?

Muddauber

Magnum& USG

Tim0282

Do you feel the Gold Bond is too soft? USG has a mud for taping. Supposed to have more glue in it. Called Beadex. Have you heard of it or used it? Also supposed to take less water to thin for the bazooka.

georgiamudman

I use some USG and National, doesn't seem to matter. Most of the problem is coming from houses finished in the summer, and left to sit unoccupied. Insulation is in everywhere but the garage. Had cracks in garage and the rest of house. Has been in heated and nonheated houses. I've heard of the taping mud, but never tried it. The cracks don't show up it seems until a big swing in temp/humidty.

Muddauber

trusses?

BUTCHERMAN

Sometimes in the corners if the dust from sanding isn't cleaned out and it gets painted over it looks like cracks. When you scrape them clean the crack is not in the spackle. I'm also wondering if the mud has frozen and thawed. When that happens the glue separates. Some guys mix it and use it but it does'nt mix right it comes out watery and loses it consistincy. Also if the framing still has moisture as it drys the wood shrinks and move the board it does'nt take much for hairline cracks. Especialy if the job has'nt cured.

player2watch

cracks in joints and angles generaly happen with temp changes drywall has hydromteric and thermometic expantion. in temp drops it will crack or if you have high humity then drops like in fl. or if you have movment in your structure. you can check out my claims in your usg handbook. if your mud freezes the mud will flake off and sometimes it will have cracks.

muddman

do you pre fill everything tight

georgiamudman

Thanks for all of your responses. They have been a big help. We do prefill sometimes with hot mud. I understand what causes the cracking, but was wondering if there is a particular brand of mud that does it less than another. It seems that a more brittle mud would crack before a more flexible mud, if movement is what is causing it. Are there better or worse muds for this?

muddman

usg tapping mud green lid works great i was having some problems with other light wieght mud Ithink they changed the mix i was having the tape do just what you are talking about then i started prefilling everything tight gap or not and started using usg i havent had a problem since