21. Finish Drywall and Texture

Once your drywall is hung and any required nailing inspections have been completed you are ready for the 'Finisher' to start the tapping and bedding. This a multi-step process and the weather will have an impact. The first step is to tape all of the drywall joints. This does not use tape like we know it with a sticky side, this part is using drywall mud and what is called tape. The tape will be installed using the drywall mud and cover all joints and crinkles. A crinkle is where a sheet of drywall might of been dropped and developed a crack in the drywall. These crinkles are not very noticeable until after paint. Your finisher should be tuned into looking for them and you might not even notice one. If you see a tape joint in the middle of a board or where you know there wasn't a joint that is what it is. After all joints have been taped the next step is to bed the joints. The first phase has to be dry so it might not take place until the next day. If you live in a humid climate or if it is the rainy season, or the winter where the mud can freeze it could take longer. Your mud might look dry to the untrained eye, but your contractor will know when he can move forward. The last stage is floating out the joints. Your joints will be somewhere between 8 and 12 inches wide. All joints will be smooth and the finisher will sand and and touch-up as necessary. Your builder and texture person should walk home prior to spraying.
There are several types of texture and your builder will have one or it might be a selection option. The part of the country live in will also determine what type of texture is offered. Some builders do not texture and offer slick finished walls. This is popular in the North and Northeast. Once your texture is complete you are ready for your cabinets and interior trim to commence.