Drying time for drywall mud, often called joint compound, is 12 to 24 hours. The drying time for some quick-setting formulations is shortened to 5 to 90 minutes.
After applying drywall mud, if it remains moist after a day, there is a problem that needs to be fixed right away.
In this post, I’ll go over the possible causes of drywall mud’s slow drying as well as some suggestions for accelerating the process.
Why Doesn’t Drywall Mud Dry?
The following are typical explanations for why drywall mud could remain wet after a day:
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An excessive amount of humidity
Newly built buildings or specific spaces like the kitchen and bathroom are where this is most common.
The moisture in the drywall mud dries considerably more slowly when there is an excess of water vapor in the atmosphere. As a result, the joint compound may take days to dry in such an environment.
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Water and Moisture Leaks
In addition to mud, drywall itself shouldn’t be put in a location where water leaks could occur. Any kind of moisture can lengthen the drying time of drywall mud and may eventually deteriorate it, regardless of whether the leaks are caused by rain or plumbing.
The drywall mud combination cannot dry in the anticipated amount of time if moisture is continuously added back into it.
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Using Drywall Mud That Has Expired
I am aware that the majority of you do-it-yourselfers like to save supplies for later use. However, drywall mud degrades with time, just like other materials.
After a while, some of its constituents start to break down, rendering it unusable.
It might not dry in time if you use drywall mud that is older than a year. Furthermore, it might break or wear out too soon even if it does.
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Putting on Thick Mud Coats
Because it expedites the installation process, most novices typically believe that applying thicker coatings of drywall mud is preferable.
But there are risks associated with this approach as well. It will take much longer for thicker mud coats to dry, particularly in humid conditions.
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Adding an excessive amount of water to the mixture
Additionally, your drywall mud mixture may take too long to dry if you add too much water. Always adhere to the manufacturer’s suggested mixing ratios.
How Can I Shorten the Drywall Mud’s Drying Time?
You should now have a general idea of why your drywall mud isn’t drying in the anticipated amount of time. There are a few ways to expedite this procedure, which is excellent news. Among them are
- Use Thinner Coats: Thinner mud coats dry considerably faster and ensure a smoother surface than thicker ones.
Please be aware that excessively thin layers will render the drywall mud useless. Applying adequate drywall mud is important.
- Install a dehumidifier: This is now standard procedure for the majority of drywall construction projects. A dehumidifier performs exactly what its name implies.
It allows the mud to dry considerably more quickly by reducing the humidity levels in the surrounding air. In less than six hours, drywall mud can be dried with a dehumidifier.
- Increase Air Circulation: The absence of fresh air can also result in prolonged drying periods when drywall mud is applied to crowded spaces like restrooms. As a result, opening the vents to encourage airflow is advised.
- Turn Up the Heat: You should slightly increase the temperature if the HVAC system is already installed and operating. Evaporation is how drywall mud dries, and heat can greatly accelerate this process.
- Use a Blow drier or Portable Heater: One option for households without HVAC systems is to use a blow drier or a portable heater.
These may also encourage quicker drying periods. When utilizing heat guns, it’s a good idea to stand a few feet away from the drywall mud. It can cure more quickly and crack if you stand too close.
- Use Hot Mud Instead: If you often have this issue, it’s a good idea to use the quick-setting formulae that are commonly referred to as hot mud. In contrast to ordinary mud, hot mud dries in less than 90 minutes.
If Drywall Mud Doesn’t Dry, Do You Have to Start Over?
This greatly depends on what you are going through right now. You can expedite the process by using a dehumidifier or heat gun if the drywall mud is still moist after 24 hours.
The best course of action is to start over if the drywall mud hasn’t dried after a few days. Additionally, you should use thinner coatings this time.
I wouldn’t suggest you start over right away because the excessive humidity in the area could be the cause of your drywall mud’s continued wetness.
Start anew only once you are certain that no matter what you do, the drywall mud will not cure.
Is It Possible to Work on Wet Drywall Mud?
Working on damp drywall mud is never a good idea. Always wait for it to dry completely before applying paint or sanding. It will be simple to sand away the entire product if the drywall mud is still wet.
Second, the paint could not stick to it well. To put it briefly, anything you try to do over wet drywall mud will not work.
Therefore, before doing any work on your drywall mud that is still wet, use the above-mentioned recommendations to expedite the process.
Can Wet Drywall Mud Be Hardened by Products?
It’s unfortunate that there isn’t a product that helps hasten the drying of drywall mud. Your only choice is to modify the surroundings, such as by raising the temperature and decreasing the humidity.
You don’t need to search for any chemicals to harden damp drywall mud, and these techniques are typically very successful.
How Can I Tell When the Mud on My Drywall Will Dry?
Knowing when drywall mud dries is simple. First, your fingertips should leave a tiny dust impression when you contact it. It should feel dry as well. Look at the hue as well. The drywall mud becomes somewhat white when it dries.
It is still wet, though, if it is darker and feels moist to the touch.
Does Drywall Mud of Poor Quality Take Longer to Dry?
One of the many drawbacks of using a subpar joint compound is that it takes longer to dry. The only advantage of low-quality drywall mud is that it is typically less expensive.
Even under ideal circumstances, it might take longer than 48 hours for it to cure after applying it to drywall seams.
It’s best to stick to high-quality joint chemicals to prevent such issues. Despite their somewhat high cost, they are easy to work with, long-lasting, and dry fairly quickly. The greatest joint compounds on the market can be found with a fast Google search.
Is It Possible for a Fan to Quickly Dry Wet Drywall Mud?
Finding a fan pushing air into a wall when you enter a building is not unusual. In this instance, a fan improves ventilation, which shortens the time needed for wet drywall mud to dry. Therefore, feel free to utilize a fan if you find yourself in such a circumstance.
