Just found out most tape joints crack because of the mud recipe change

I was reading through the ASTM C475 standard last night and saw that joint compound specs changed back in 2019. Now they allow way more water retention which means slower drying and more shrinkage cracks on butt joints. Has anyone else noticed more callbacks on tapered joints since around that time?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_sam12d ago

Man, guess even my tape joints are getting payback for my bad jokes.

daniel_gonzalez12d agoProlific Poster

Doesn't it feel like everything comes back around on you eventually? I've noticed the same thing with my car - every time I skip an oil change or put off a small repair, it seems like the bill comes due twice as bad later. Maybe it's just life's way of reminding us that cutting corners never really saves you anything in the long run.

robert65912d ago

The mud changed in 2019 sure, but tape joints have been cracking since way before that. Good chance it's more about how the tape is bedded and the humidity in the house than some spec in a standard. I've seen plenty of jobs with older mud crack just as bad because the guy slapped it on too thick or didn't let it set right. People love to blame the materials when a lot of times it's just lazy workmanship.