Will Primer Cover Drywall Tape? Some Things to Consider

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Drywalls are made from several materials and are great for roofing, walls, flooring, and other purposes. They come in large flat sheets which are arranged in sections. Hence, tapes are used to cover mudded seams or joints, but will primer cover these tapes?

Applying primer directly over drywall tape might not completely cover it, and even if it does, the taped seams will likely be susceptible to damage over time. Here are the steps to follow to ensure drywall tapes are well-covered and damage-proof:

  • Skim coat over the drywall tape with a thin layer of joint compound.
  • Allow the skim coat to dry.
  • Use 150-grit sandpaper to ensure the coated areas are consistent with the rest of the wall.
  • Apply two coats of primer, allowing proper drying time between coats.
  • Finally, apply paint when the primer is sufficiently dry.

For areas on the wall with multiple drywall tapes exposed, it can help to skimcoat the entire drywall surface for an even look. Buildings take time to finally settle into position. And when they do, If the drywall seams are not properly reinforced, they might lead to cracks.

In the rest of this article, we will discuss drywalls more comprehensively, including their different types and how to install them.

What Are Drywalls?

Drywalls are used as alternatives to plaster in the building constructions. They get their name from requiring less water during installation, unlike plastered walls that require layering wet plaster and waiting for it to dry between applications. As a result, drywalls are easier to install and require less time and labor.

Drywalls are also cheaper, more fire-resistant, easier to repair, and durable. They go by several other names, such as plasterboard, wallboard, gypsum panel, sheetrock, clapboard, and so on. Drywalls are shipped as 4×8, 4×10, or 4×12 feet sheets with various thicknesses, textures, and colors.

Types Of Drywalls

There are different types of drywalls based on the materials they are made from. They include:

  • Gypsum boards
  • Asbestos-cement boards
  • Wood-fibre and pulp boards
  • Eco-friendly drywalls

Gypsum boards

These are the most common types of drywalls, which are made from gypsum and used for interior walls and ceilings. The crystalline gypsum is mixed with water to form a thick paste, which is then sandwiched between a facer and backer paper and molded. It is then sent to the furnace, where the moisture content is removed, and the core hardens.

Afterward, it is cut into the required size. In addition to gypsum and water, gypsum boards can contain other additives to improve their soundproofing property and resistance to water, fire, heat, or mildew.

Types of gypsum boards

There are different types of gypsum drywalls tailored according to their purpose. Therefore enabling you to choose one that’s most suited for your projects. They include:

  • Regular drywall or whiteboard
  • Fire-rated board
  • Sound-resistant board
  • Water-resistant or green board
  • Impact resistant board
  • Lead-lined drywalls
  • Blue board

1) Regular drywall or whiteboard

Regular drywalls are the cheapest and most common type of gypsum board used for standard purposes. It is also called a whiteboard because it is white on one side of the board and brown on the other.

Regular drywall has a respectable fire, water, sound, and heat resistance. However, other specialized drywall options have stronger resistance against these elements.

2) Fire-rated board

These types of gypsum drywalls are thicker and more fire-resistant than regular drywalls. Hence, it is suitable for use in buildings where higher resistance to fire is required.

Specifically, they are used where the fire rating exceeds 20 minutes. They are made by adding non-combustible fibers to the materials used for regular drywalls.

3) Sound resistant board

As the name implies, these types of drywalls possess a more robust soundproofing capability than regular gypsum boards. They are suitable for buildings where a higher rate of sound transmission is a concern. In addition to the materials used for regular gypsum boards, these boards also contain viscoelastic polymers.

4) Water-resistant and green board

These types of gypsum boards have a green cover, which provides a more significant level of resistance against moisture than regular drywall. However, they are unsuitable for use in areas directly impacted by moisture. Instead, you can use them as a tile backer in areas with minimal moisture.

5) Impact resistant board

These types of gypsum drywalls are denser and stronger than regular gypsum boards. Hence, they are suitable for use in high-impact areas. In addition to the basic materials used for regular boards, these types contain fiberglass strands. Also, fiberglass is used instead of the facer and backer papers in regular gypsum boards.

6) Lead-lined drywalls

These types of gypsum drywalls are more suitable for use in areas subject to radiation, like x-ray rooms. They are made by adding a layer of lead between the gypsum and the backing paper to block radiation.

7) Blue board 

Blue boards provide the highest level of resistance against moisture. Hence, they can be used in areas with direct impact of moisture, like bathrooms.

However, unlike other types of gypsum drywalls, they do not use tape, joint compound, or paint for finishing. Instead, they use veneer plaster.

Asbestos-cement boards

Asbestos cement boards are drywalls made from a mixture of asbestos fibers, cement, and water to form a slurry. It is then compressed and cured using low or high pressure to form rigid sheets. These types of drywalls are used for several purposes, such as roofs, tile backend, weatherboards, flooring, underlays, and exterior walls.

However, asbestos boards have been associated with the causes of lung cancer and have ceased production in the United States.

Wood-fiber and pulp boards

Wood fiber and pulp boards are made from several particles of wood mixed with adhesive. They are then loaded in a conveyor belt, pressed together, and heated until hardened. Afterward, they are cut into required shapes and sanded.

Eco-friendly drywalls

More recently, there has been the advent of eco-friendly drywall options aimed at reducing the carbon footprint common to regular drywalls. These types of drywalls are made from sustainable materials like grasses and straw, as well as other additives. They are compressed, cured, and cut into the required shapes and sizes.

How to install drywall properly from start to finish

Here are the steps to follow for an excellent drywall installation:

  1. For improved sound and heat insulation, foam, and wool should be used between the wall and the gypsum board overlay. Using insulating materials will also get rid of the hollow sounds made by uninsulated drywalls when tapped.
  2. Install the drywall sheets by screwing them to the surface you are drywalling. Ensure the factory seams of the drywall sheets are properly joined.
  3. Make a mixture of joint compound and water into a batter with a not-too-thick nor too-runny consistency.
  4. Mud the seam or joint with a skim coat of mud compound, ensuring the coat flushes seamlessly with the surrounding drywall.
  5. Place the drywall tape over the mudded seam to cover it. To avoid getting bubbles from tapes that would not bond well, wet the paper slightly. Doing this will ensure the tape bonds properly with the mud by preventing the tape from rapidly absorbing the moisture in the mud compound.
  6. When the joint compound is completely dry, and the tape is properly bonded, skim coat over the drywall tape with a thin layer of the joint compound.
  7. Allow the skim coat to dry.
  8. Use 150-grit sandpaper to ensure the coated areas are consistent with the rest of the wall.
  9. Apply two coats of primer, allowing proper drying time between coats.
  10. Finally, apply paint when the primer is sufficiently dry.

How To Fix Exposed Drywall Tapes

When drywall tapes are not adequately covered, they can be exposed even after finishing with paint. But not to worry, you can fix it by following the steps below.

  1. Use 150-grit sandpaper to lightly sand over the painted area where the tape is exposed. Doing this will get rid of the paint and primer surface. Be careful not to damage the drywall tape underneath.
  2. Make a mixture of joint compound and water.
  3. Apply a skim coat of the mixture over the area with the exposed drywall tape.
  4. Use a putty knife to scrape the excess joint compound while making the taped area flush with the rest of the drywall surface.
  5. Leave the area to dry.
  6. When the area is completely dry, check if the tape has been completely covered. If not, you need to apply another layer of joint compound.
  7. When the tape is well covered, use 150-grit sandpaper to smoothen the surface.
  8. Then, apply a thin coat of primer.
  9. Lastly, apply paint to the area worked on to ensure a smooth transition with the rest of the wall.
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