Most beginners think that when working with drywall, the main thing is to install it correctly, and the rest is not so important. But this is very far from reality. An important step In the process of manufacturing the structure of their gypsum boards, drywall is puttied. Sometimes, even poor installation and uneven fastening of plasterboard sheets to the frame can be hidden behind high-quality putty on the surfaces of the plasterboard product itself. It is the putty that is designed to hide all the unevenness of the gypsum board surface, because even very expensive drywall samples sometimes show some flaws. If you want to learn how to putty drywall, be sure to read this article.

If you carry out the puttying process as described in this article, then the result will definitely not disappoint you, but on the contrary, it will pleasantly surprise you, because there is nothing complicated about it, as it seems at first glance. The technology itself for puttingtying drywall is very simple, but there are important points in this process that many beginners often do not pay any attention to. For example, many people think that there is no point in leveling the wall before puttying, but the heads of self-tapping screws and screws that stick out from the sheets of drywall will not go away themselves, but will only interfere when applying putty. These are the important points that must be taken into account and remembered, because they will help make the finishing of a plasterboard product reliable and easy to perform.

The article is divided into blocks that describe in detail how to properly putty drywall, and what needs to be done at each stage of this important process in the manufacture of a gypsum board product. Please note that there is nothing complicated about puttingtying the gypsum board surface, but very stupid mistakes can happen the first time. To prevent this from happening, you need to carefully read each paragraph of the article, everything is explained in detail and the mistakes and advice of many specialists who have been working with drywall for a long time are taken into account. And if you know how to putty drywall, then you should still read this article, as it describes many secrets that will help a master of any professional level.

What is this article about?

Preparing a plasterboard surface for putty

The most common element that prevents high-quality puttying of drywall sheets is the protruding heads of the screws that fasten these sheets to the frame. At the preparation stage, they must be driven deep into the sheets, but you should not apply too much force, otherwise you can make a hole in the sheet, which will be very difficult to disguise later. It is enough to quickly run a spatula over the surface of the drywall. If it goes through without any hiccups, then you can start puttingty; if not, then you need to remove the unevenness that interferes with it.

The second reason why puttying drywall may not go as planned is the paper layer peeling off from the gypsum base. If such protruding pieces of paper are present on a sheet of drywall, then they must be carefully cut off with a stationery knife to the very “root”. Then this area needs to be treated with fine-grained sandpaper to level it in height with the entire surface of the sheet.

After removing all the unevenness and imperfections from the surface that you will putty, you can begin priming. It needs to be done to make the surface very smooth, because in this case the putty will lie much better. But you should understand that you don’t need to apply a thick layer of primer; a thickness of 0.05–07 ml is sufficient. A very important point when priming drywall is the fact that alkyd primers cannot be used in this case. They provoke peeling of the cardboard from the plaster, which makes it simply impossible to putty.

Experts who know how to properly putty drywall are aware that gypsum reacts very strongly to high humidity. This is why you need to use a primer before putting on drywall. Water-soluble mixtures create a resistant film on the surface that protects the sheets from moisture penetrating into them, thereby preventing the destruction of the gypsum layer.

Also, a very important point that many beginners do not pay attention to is the joints between sheets of drywall. Usually they have a factory edge, which makes their connection stronger and more reliable, but if it is not there, then you need to make the chamfer yourself. The chamfer is made with a construction knife. Be sure to keep in mind that you need to keep the angle at 45 degrees, this way you will get reliable reinforcement of the seams between the gypsum board sheets.

Putty technologies and tools needed to perform it

The most basic tool, which is most often used when putting putty, is a spatula. IN construction store ah, their choice is quite wide, but we only need a few basic spatulas, and the rest of their types are used in rather non-standard cases, which rarely happen when working with drywall. So, spatulas with a width of 15 and 30 cm are required, that is, medium and wide, respectively. Also, the putty itself is required, which must be diluted. Keep in mind that it is diluted with a very small amount of water, which is why it dries out quickly, so you do not need to dilute a lot of putty. To do this you need to calculate it required amount for 30 minutes of work, after which only dilute.

An important point, if you don’t know how to putty drywall, then you need to think about the choice of putty; it is divided into three groups:

• Putty on cement based, these are fairly inexpensive and easy-to-use types of putty that can withstand big differences temperatures and high humidity.
• On polymer based. They are very versatile and can be used in any room. Their advantage is low consumption, as they are quite viscous.
• Plaster. Plasterboard putty on this basis is not used in rooms with high levels of humidity, as it begins to deteriorate under the influence of moisture and becomes unusable in rooms such as a bath or kitchen.

The technology used to putty drywall is quite simple: you need to use a medium spatula to apply an even layer of putty along the entire joint between the sheets of drywall, after which you need a special reinforcing tape - serpyanka. It is applied to the seam so that it is located exactly in the middle of the tape. The serpyanka is embedded in the first layer of putty. When the reinforcing tape is hidden under a layer of putty, you need to wait for the latter to dry, and then begin applying the second layer of the composition, but using a wide spatula. It is this technology that is used to putty drywall and its seams.

You need to putty self-tapping screws and self-tapping screws a little differently. Each hole in which the screw is located must be processed using the cross method. That is, apply putty first along the hole, and then across it, this will hide the screw under a layer of putty much better and more effectively than simply covering it up.

Puttying the corners of a plasterboard product works in almost the same way. But there are some differences. Since this surface can angle, the process of putting it is divided into two stages: processing the first side of the angle and processing the second side of the angle.

It is worth understanding that we putty the drywall in several stages. The above is a rough puttying of drywall. Already the finishing putty of drywall occurs with the use of special construction corners and reinforcing tape, which make it possible to make the connection of seams much more reliable and more pleasing in appearance. In products such as window or door openings, you need to use corners to further strengthen their joints with other surfaces. In hardware stores you can find steel angles already attached to them. reinforced tape, which can significantly facilitate the process of puttying corners. In addition, profile corners are also used to strengthen external and internal corners. So, having installed the corner on the treated surface, you need to apply a layer of putty on top of it, which will give even greater strength to the entire structure.

Remember that the main work is performed with a medium spatula, thanks to which the drywall putty is done more professionally. Use a wide spatula to level the putty layer. If you need to attach a corner to a curved corner, for example, an arched passage, then in this case we use plastic corners, which can be adjusted in shape to the product. Their difference is not only that they bend, but also in their thickness - it is somewhat larger, so they need to be puttyed in two stages: fill all the holes in the corner, wait for it to dry, then apply a second layer of the mixture and level it with the main one the height of the drywall sheet.

Video about puttying joints and screws

Surface finishing

At the final stage, when you already know how to putty drywall, you need to carry out its final finishing, which can give it that perfectly smooth look that hides all the irregularities and flaws of the initial drywall sheet. To create a mixture that is used for finishing, you need to calculate its quantity using the formula. You know how to putty drywall and what mixture to choose from the beginning of the article, but for each type of mixture there is a specific form in which it is diluted. So, for gypsum-based putty mixtures, this is one kilogram of mixture per square meter surface, approximately the same consumption for gypsum mixtures. For glue-based mixtures it is much less - 0.5 kilograms per square meter.

Experts who know how to properly putty drywall note that you need to mix the putty, counting on half an hour of work; if it has already dried, then it is better not to dilute it a second time, but simply dispose of it, so the result will be much better. After the putty has dried, the drywall needs to be primed again to secure an excellent final result. After completing all this work, you can paste wallpaper on the wall or leave it like that, because a drywall product with high-quality putty will look good in any case.

Plasterboard putty – necessary stage construction work, which, despite its relative complexity and duration, is one of the main components of the correct decorative decoration of a room. Puttying plasterboard walls seems to be a step that can significantly delay repairs, but the need for it, although at first glance absent, should still become mandatory. Joints, seams, fasteners, as well as mechanical damage to plasterboard sheets, can significantly worsen appearance applied decorative coating or wallpaper.

Plasterboard sheets- one of the recent trends modern finishes premises who found wide application due to the relatively low cost and the ability to perform several important functions at once.

This is a great way to simultaneously level, insulate and soundproof any walls, even the most unsightly ones, in an old house or secondary home. Standard sizes gypsum plaster sheets do not allow installation without any irregularities and joints, and on the relatively smooth surface there remain traces of the installation work carried out, the heads of fasteners, and damage inadvertently received during their installation. Do-it-yourself drywall putty is a more convenient, but also more labor-intensive stage of finishing the building surface.

If you do not carry it out immediately after the installation of the sheets is completed, and complete the repair by painting or gluing wallpaper directly on the rough layer, already upon preliminary completion it will become clear that the decision to do without a leveling layer was a tactical mistake. All existing defects will be visible under the decorative layer even with the naked eye, but even this is not the most important thing.

Under the influence of shrinkage of the building and temperature changes, the drywall will begin to crack in the places where it was fastened, and new renovation will be just around the corner. Professional installation gypsum board sheets provide for additional reinforcement with fiberglass, which gives the plasterboard guaranteed strength, but for such reinforcement a leveling layer is also necessary.

In the video: puttingtying a plasterboard wall.

It is believed, and quite justifiably, that applying primer and putty to plasterboard walls greatly enhances not only the subsequent visual effect from finishing materials, chosen by the developer, but also enhances the adhesiveness of the material to the applied coating, protects the walls from the destructive effects of temperature changes, moisture, mold and mildew. The technology for puttingtying drywall is such that it can be done by a non-professional, but at the same time it is capable of ensuring excellent safety of newly finished walls for a long time.

Preliminary stage

The procedure for puttingtying drywall is divided into three stages:

• surface preparation and acquisition of building materials (preliminary preparation stage);
• applying a primer;
• direct puttying.

The stage of preparing drywall for putty is equally important in both of its components. From acquisition quality materials For such work, both their reliability and the decorativeness of the final result largely depend. Gypsum mixtures are suitable in many cases, except in rooms with high humidity. There, more expensive putty mixtures with increased moisture resistance should be used.

The primer composition must correspond to the selected top layer and must be present if the drywall was installed with serpyanka.

In many respects, ready-made polymer compositions are ideal, which can be used immediately without preparing a solution, but they are more expensive, and if the repair budget is limited, they can be used for puttying drywall at the finishing stage.

Some brands provide such an even layer that no sanding is required after application. In order to begin work on leveling and priming the walls, you must:

• clean the walls from dust (especially if some construction work has already been carried out in the room);
• provide yourself with the necessary tools and special clothing that will protect you from dirt and dust that is inevitable during grinding.
• Clean the surface with a vacuum cleaner or a slightly damp soft sponge, after which the wall should dry.

A relatively inexpensive gypsum mixture (suitable in terms of adhesiveness and the main coating) is also perfect for a living space, and a moisture-resistant mixture must be used in the basement, not the kitchen, and in household compartments (in the toilet and in the bathroom).

Primer and initial application

Any primer mixture for drywall will do except alkyd. The alkyd composition can cause the top layer of cardboard to peel off, and then there will be no question of any accuracy.

The primer composition is applied to the finished surfaces in an even layer, and preferably more than once, because a single application on drywall will be completely absorbed into the material, which has increased absorbency due to natural properties gypsum

There are special compositions for drywall, developed by the manufacturer after the release of this building material, which are called primers for highly absorbent surfaces. The bottom leveling layer requires care and a gradual transition from smooth surfaces to problem areas - joints, fastenings, corners and cracks. If reinforcement is being made, the primer should almost completely cover it.

After the primer has dried, you can begin a new stage of work, which begins with the preparation of gypsum putty from a dry composition, according to the instructions specified by the manufacturer, or ready-made composition from an open jar.

Starting finish

Initial, or starting application - puttying drywall joints. This is a draft alignment that provides step-by-step instruction. To ensure that the gypsum board fasteners do not stick out, they are carefully tightened and then covered with a layer of required thickness. Following the fastening elements, it is equally necessary to carefully cover the drywall seams with the composition.

All this is done with a special tool - a spatula, the configuration and dimensions of which are selected individually by each master. In the video you can see how to professionally seal seams on drywall:

In the video: sealing drywall seams.

To apply putty efficiently, you need to choose a convenient spatula that fits well in your hand, then sealing the seams will be quite simple. The finishing of seams and corners, which the rules provide for, can be done in a layer of any thickness, then the remaining layers will simply be adjusted to them.

Puttying chips, cracks, joints, fasteners and seams is the main goal preliminary stage, because these places are considered problematic in everyday use, and are capable of cracking, and they should be sealed especially carefully.

Previously, there was a clear gradation: drywall products for the initial finishing, and putty on drywall for the finishing layer, but now the production of the so-called universal mixture has been established, which can be applied with equal success both at the initial stage and as a finishing putty. To make the putty of plasterboard slopes look as neat as possible, use plaster corner. With his help gusset can be made professional

The final stage

The main finishing of wall panels occurs on the last applied layer and is called finishing putty. The purpose for which putty is applied in several layers must be achieved at the last stage. It is no coincidence that any construction manual contains strong recommendations on the careful selection of the composition used for the final finishing, and on extreme accuracy in the construction process.

The routine procedure for the final stage involves applying a layer over the entire drywall, and is done only after the primer has dried, followed by the leveling putty applied to problem areas. The standard finish is that the finishing putty of the drywall is done in two screed layers around the entire perimeter.

The first layer is conventionally called the base layer, and is applied using a special rubber spatula to level the wall and level the difference between the initial rough finish and the entire surface of the wall. But if the finishing requires special care due to the particularly complex material chosen for external visualization, the putty is applied 3 or more times.

Experts recommend applying putty to drywall after it has completely dried. upper layer applied finishing. You also need to sand the surface until completely smooth, and then cover it with another layer of primer, after first removing the sanding dust with a vacuum cleaner.

It is generally accepted that after such a procedure, any paint applied to the surface will last especially long and retain its natural color. And all because the adhesiveness of the wall will not allow it to be absorbed and evenly distribute the coloring composition over the surface. For wallpapering, priming with finishing putty is possible, but not necessary.

It is naive to think that the applied decorative material will hide all the existing defects that even such an ideal product has. smooth material like drywall. Under thin wallpaper All existing imperfections will stick out even more, and paint will not be able to mask the unevenness at all.

Treacherous lighting will instantly make it possible to see everything that, due to laziness or ignorance, was not produced at the appropriate moment. Puttying drywall is also an additional protection against damage. It guarantees long service life of new wall panels and the absence of tedious repairs over the next ten years.

Methods for sealing drywall joints (1 video)

Using drywall, you can not only hide uneven walls or ceilings, but also implement a huge number of design ideas, for example, make various cascades and arches, thereby diversifying the design of the room.

Many inexperienced builders believe that plasterboard surfaces do not need putty. However, this is a huge misconception. Drywall, although it seems quite even and smooth to the naked eye, actually has many microcracks and irregularities. Regular putty will help fix them.

Peculiarities

Putty will help get rid of various defects on drywall. It will not only smooth out unevenness, but will also ensure the safety of the plasterboard sheets. For example, when removing wallpaper from a previously plastered plasterboard wall, the plasterboard itself will remain intact and suitable for applying another solution or material.

Also, puttying walls or ceilings before painting significantly reduces paint costs.

When further painting walls or ceilings made of plasterboard, complete (in two stages: starting and finishing) puttying of the surface is mandatory, since the paint will highlight any unevenness or defects in the surface, both in daylight and in artificial light. If you plan to finish the wall with thick wallpaper or tiles, you can get by with putty in one layer (using starting putty). However, experts still advise to putty the walls in at least two stages, as this will be a more reliable and neat option.

For thick wallpaper, it is better to choose putty with a coarse-grained structure. After drying, no wall defects will be visible underneath, so you can only get by with starting putty. But for thin paper wallpaper it is necessary to use both starter and finishing putty, since if you get by with one layer, after the wallpaper dries, all the surface irregularities and defects will become visible.

Types of putties

In modern stores building materials there is a huge range of different putty mixtures: both intended for certain type walls, and universal. To make a choice, you need to know how this or that mixture differs from others.

Types of putties are distinguished according to the following characteristics:

• by readiness for use;
• by appointment;
• by composition;
• by area of ​​application.

When ready for use

• Dry putties– the dry composition must be diluted with water to obtain a homogeneous solution. Dry putty has many advantages: low cost compared to ready-made solutions, long term storage, the ability to finish the surface in stages.
• Ready-to-use putty or liquid– an already prepared solution that can be immediately applied to the surface. Ready-to-use putty is convenient because you don’t need to worry about the correct consistency of the solution. Skipping the step of mixing the solution not only simplifies the work, but also saves time. However, it is not as durable as dry putty mixture and requires special storage conditions.

By purpose

The plasterboard surface requires preliminary leveling, and the main objective putty – leveling and eliminating microcracks and surface joints. For different types works exist different varieties putties:

• Starting (leveling) putty– designed to eliminate deep defects, has a coarse-grained structure, is initial stage surface putty. When working with dense thick wallpaper or tiles, the starting putty can be used as a single layer.

• Finishing putty– used to mask defects remaining after the initial putty, has a soft, uniform structure, giving the surface an almost finished appearance. When working with paint or thin paper wallpaper finishing putty is a mandatory layer. It will smooth out the unevenness of the starting putty, and the coating will look much neater.

• Universal putty- combines all the best properties of the first two, can be used at any stage of surface finishing, but has a fairly high price. However, experienced builders do not recommend using only universal putty. It is convenient to use as a final layer.
• Decorative textured putty– used as complete decorative coating. Using mineral chips in textured putty, you can create any voluminous textures and diversify the design of the room. Designer putty acts as final finishing surface and does not require additional painting.

By composition

• Plaster– have many positive properties, such as rapid shrinkage on the surface, environmental friendliness, quick drying and ease of leveling. To the main disadvantage gypsum putty poor resistance to moisture, since gypsum absorbs a lot of moisture. Therefore, gypsum putty should absolutely not be used when finishing a bathroom or kitchen.

• Cement– durable and strong, well tolerated high temperatures, resistant to moisture, therefore ideal for finishing bathrooms and kitchens. The main disadvantage is the long drying time and uneven application. Also, cement putty can shrink slightly, so it is better not to use it in living rooms.

• Polymer – universal type putty, suitable for both residential and production premises. They are highly environmentally friendly and water resistant, have a smooth uniform coating, quick drying, reliability, and fast shrinkage. Polymer putty is sold immediately in finished form, so you don’t have to worry about mixing the solution to the correct consistency. The only negative is the high cost.

Polymer putty can be latex or acrylic. For work in interior spaces You should give preference to latex. Even when applied in a thin layer, unlike acrylic putty, it will retain all its useful properties: high strength and good adhesion to any materials. You can also purchase colored latex putty, which can save you paint costs in the future. But if latex putty is frozen during storage, it will become unusable. Therefore, when purchasing, you should be attentive to the storage conditions and shelf life of the solution.

Acrylic putty perfect for exterior finishing, as it is resistant to temperature changes and moisture.

By area of ​​application

• For outdoor use– must have good moisture resistance, thermal insulation, resistance to temperature changes and mechanical stress.
• For interior work – must meet the requirements of the room in which finishing is planned, have good adhesion to materials for further finishing and do not contain substances harmful to human health.

When choosing a putty, you should take into account the conditions and location of the work. In residential premises (especially in children's rooms and bedrooms), special attention must be paid to the composition of the putty. It must not contain substances that may be hazardous to health. In rooms with high humidity (kitchens and bathrooms), you should pay attention to putty mixtures that can withstand high temperatures and high humidity.

You also need to pay attention to the drying time of the putty. This criterion will help save time when finishing the room. However, for inexperienced builders, it is better not to choose a putty that dries too quickly. Due to inexperience, the leveling process will take longer than with an experienced master, and the putty should not dry out prematurely.

Tools

To putty drywall you will need the following tools:

• Spatula 15-25 cm wide (for basic work).
• Spatula 30-40 cm wide (for leveling).
• A spatula with 3x3 mm teeth (for reinforcing seams).
• Putty.
• Primer (for good adhesion of drywall with finishing material).
• Soft roller (for applying primer).

• Various containers or baths (for diluting putty, primer and washing tools).
• Reinforcing tape - serpyanka (applied to the joint line between plasterboard sheets).
• A hammer drill or drill with a special attachment (for mixing putty).
• Grater with clamps.
• Mesh for grater with clamps.
• Screws.

To putty the ceiling or high walls, you may need a stepladder.

Surface preparation

Plasterboard sheets have a fairly smooth surface, but this does not negate the fact that the surface must be prepared before final finishing.

Before applying putty, it is also necessary to apply primer to the surface of the drywall. It provides better bonding of materials (adhesion), since, being absorbed into the base, it creates protective film, which prevents the moisture of the applied materials from penetrating the surface of the drywall. The primer will ensure uniform drying of the putty without the formation of microcracks.

For priming, you can purchase a universal primer solution that is suitable for any surface, including brick and concrete. But a more reasonable solution would be to use a primer specifically designed for priming drywall surfaces.

It is important to know that in order to finish plasterboard coverings, you should never use soil mixtures or solutions containing alkyds, as the paper layer will come off and the entire structure will become unusable.

The primer must be applied to a clean, dry surface. Fine dust can be removed construction vacuum cleaner, a soft brush or a slightly damp cloth (it should not be too wet).

Depending on the scope of work, you can use a roller, brush or spray to apply the primer. The brush is usually used in hard to reach places and for finishing seams. Typically, a roller is used for priming. The roller should have a long handle with a microfiber coat, as it absorbs moisture well and will not allow the solution to spread. A roller made of soft material. The primer is applied with a roller from top to bottom. It is important to avoid smudges of the primer, since after the primer layer has dried, the putty in these places will lie down and dry unevenly.

As soon as the soil begins to leak, it must be immediately spread over the surface.

When choosing a primer, you should pay great attention to the content of antibacterial substances. They will prevent the appearance of fungi and mold. This is especially important to consider when choosing soil for bathrooms, kitchens and rooms where humidity may be high.

Typically the primer is applied in one coat, but in bathrooms and kitchens when priming drywall it is better to apply two. One layer usually takes 4 – 6 hours to dry.

How to prepare the solution?

To begin with, it is important to know that the putty hardens quite quickly, so the volume of the mixed solution should be calculated for approximately the next 20 - 30 minutes of work.

Under no circumstances should you pour/pour the remaining solution/mixture that was used back into the jar! This will lead to the process of setting the solution, and the entire putty will become unusable. It is better to regularly mix a “fresh” solution than to constantly throw away the putty because it has started to set.

The solution should be mixed in the same container from which the work will then be done.

Step-by-step plan for preparing the solution:

1. In an absolutely clean container (bath), you need to add the amount of water required in the instructions (do not forget that you need to calculate the amount of water and mixture only for the next 20-30 minutes of work). The water should be clean and at room temperature.
2. The dry mixture must be poured evenly onto the surface of the water. Ideally, the powder should immediately become saturated with water and settle to the bottom of the bath.
3. For a good putty consistency, the mixture that has accumulated water should be approximately equal to the water level.
4. Using a spatula, carefully mix the solution. Much attention should be paid to the corners at the bottom of the container (bath) - the mixture may remain there and the putty will be of poor quality.

The result should be a solution of uniform consistency without lumps. The lumps need to be rubbed against the walls of the container and mixed with the rest of the mixture.

The finished putty solution should be thick and resemble thick sour cream. To make sure that the solution is the right consistency, just scoop it up with a spatula and turn it over. A solution of the correct consistency should stay on the spatula, slowly “sliding”, but not flowing off it.

Application technology

Once everything necessary has been prepared (tools, surface and solution), you can begin applying putty. For ease of use, you need step-by-step instructions.

The first step is to start reinforcing the seam. This necessary procedure, since the reinforcing tape will help strengthen the seam and prevent the sheets of drywall from coming apart, and will also prevent the appearance of cracks.

Reinforcing tapes vary in the quality of the material and the presence (or absence) of an adhesive base. In this case, it will be most convenient to use sickle tape with an adhesive side, designed specifically for drywall. But do not forget that the main fixing solution is putty.

It is important to know that you cannot use PVA glue to glue the reinforcing tape. This glue is water-based and if it gets on the heads of the screws, it will cause rust over time, which will appear as yellow spots on the final finish.

There will definitely be a gap between the sheets of drywall. Regardless of the width, it must be tightly filled with putty solution, using a narrow spatula. Putty must be applied in large quantities to tightly fill the seam.

The bath should be placed from below so that excess putty falls not onto the floor, but into the container.

When the seams are tightly sealed, you need to immediately remove excess putty from the surface, since if it dries, it can greatly complicate the execution next stages putties. This can be done with the same spatula. Using excess putty, you can immediately fill in the recesses from the self-tapping screws that are located nearby. This is done "crosswise". Excess also needs to be removed. Next, you need to wait until the putty sets and hardens. During this time, you can do the same work with all other seams.

When the putty on the seam hardens and gains the required strength, you can begin reinforcing. We prepare the amount of putty solution we need and cut the required length of the tape. It is recommended to use a 3mm x 3mm notched spatula to distribute the putty evenly.

First, using a regular spatula, apply a layer of putty along the entire length of the seam, then level it with a notched spatula. A notched putty knife will create even strips of putty with the right amount solution for setting the tape.

The serpyanka needs to be bent along the crease (the folding line is in the center of the tape) and the protruding side should be applied to the surface with putty. It is important that the protruding side of the tape lies exactly on the joint of the sheets. Then press down a little with your fingers: first in the center, then along the edges.

Next, you need to apply a little more putty to a wide spatula (in this case, the putty is a “lubricant” so that the spatula slides easily along the tape) and walk along the length of the serpyanka. The tape should “sink” into the putty, that is, there should be no air space under the tape. So it will fulfill its function one hundred percent.

To prevent the tape from deforming or moving, you need to hold it higher with another spatula.

After all these steps, you need to apply another layer of putty to the tape. In order for the solution to fill the entire space, it must be applied perpendicular to the seam. Then you need to level the putty layer. To do this, it is better to use a wider spatula. After this, making sure that the serpyanka does not wrinkle or stick out anywhere, it is necessary to carry out the final alignment. For final leveling, you need to apply a little mortar to the spatula and, being sure to pick up excess mortar from the surface, run it along the seam “to tear off”. The seam is left in this state until completely dry. After the putty hardens, you will get a strong monolithic structure that can withstand loads.

For fillet welds, there are special “corner” reinforcing tapes that simplify the process of reinforcing fillet welds.

The seam must be checked the next day. The putty may shrink slightly. To eliminate possible unevenness, you need to put a little putty on the spatula again and run the tool “to tear off” along the entire seam line.

Once all the seams have been reinforced, you can begin final stage– puttying the entire surface. Many people neglect this point, but experienced craftsmen still advise to putty the surface completely so that after painting the surface will be free of minor defects.

Complete puttying is carried out in two steps to ensure the best surface quality.

To begin, mix the solution into a bath or other convenient container. For application and leveling, you will need two spatulas: narrow (15 - 25 cm) and wide (30 - 40 cm). Using a narrow spatula, you should take the solution from the container, apply it to the surface and remove excess putty from the wide spatula, and with a wide spatula, distribute and level the putty over the entire surface.

So the first step is to apply enough a large number of solution onto a narrow spatula, and then onto the surface. Quickly and evenly distribute it over the surface using a wide spatula. You need to smooth out the putty using force, “to tear it off”. As a result, a thin, even layer should remain. When smoothing the putty, you must immediately remove its excess on a wide spatula with a narrow spatula. Don't try to cover it right away large area surfaces – thin layer The solution sets quickly, but you still need time to level and smooth it.

Putty is a mandatory step in preparing walls and ceilings for painting or wallpapering. The putty mixture is used to level the surfaces and remove all defects and imperfections. Puttying drywall with your own hands is a simple but painstaking process. Some features of materials, process technologies and rules will be discussed in the article.

Despite flat surface sheets, after installation there remains a large number of joints and fixation points that require sealing. To do this, it is important, first of all, to choose the right material for repair.

Mixtures for drywall putty are:

• Starters. They have a large grain size and are used for leveling surfaces (see Leveling walls with putty according to all the rules).
• Finishing. They have a fine grain and are used to apply the final layer, creating a perfectly flat surface for painting or wallpapering.
• Universal. These are both leveling and decorative materials. But they are used only if there are no large defects on the surface.

The main compositions and their features are presented in the table:

Type of putty	Peculiarities
	Perfect white color. Good ductility, increasing the resistance of the composition to cracking. Environmental Safety. Lets air through while absorbing excess moisture, and if necessary, giving it away, which allows the room to always maintain a suitable microclimate. Excellent adhesion to other materials. Gypsum putty is easy to apply and sand. Dries quite quickly. Used for leveling, sealing joints and cracks. Lack of composition: Cannot be used in high humidity environments due to its solubility in water
	Does not allow moisture to pass through. Not afraid of temperature changes. Perfectly seals chips, crevices, cracks and seams. Levels surfaces well. The main binding material in the composition is cement, and aggregates such as clay, limestone with chemical additives increase positive properties mixtures: strength and resistance to cracking Tip: When choosing cement putty, you should pay attention to the grade of cement in its composition. Its adhesion to other materials and compressive strength depend on this.
	This new material for wall decoration. It differs from the previous ones: More versatility. Polymer putty has a high degree of elasticity. Durability. Disadvantage: higher price than gypsum and cement coatings

The putty can be ready-to-use or a dry mixture.

It is better to putty drywall with your own hands using solutions prepared independently from dry mixtures.

There are several reasons for this:

• They are stored for a long time.
• The quality of the material is not affected by temperature fluctuations.
• Can be diluted and used in certain quantities.

The video in this article shows in detail how to choose and mix putty correctly.

Surface preparation

This stage includes the following operations:

• The protruding heads of the fasteners are screwed to failure or flush with the surface.

It is difficult to imagine construction and renovation work, in which drywall would not be used. They make it out of it internal partitions, boxes for water supply and sewer pipes, multi-level ceilings, arches, decorative elements in the interior. Sheets of plasterboard are used to level walls and significant floor defects.

Smooth, broken, rounded plasterboard structures Before painting or wallpapering, putty should be applied. How to properly putty drywall, Not being a finishing master, we will tell you in this article.

Tools

For independent work you will need:

• foam rollers and brushes for priming,
• spatulas from of stainless steel width 10, 20 and 40-50 cm,
• containers for mixture and water,
• sanding float with attachments for mesh or paper,
• sandpaper or sanding mesh,
• mixer attachment for drill,
• construction knife
• rule length 1.5-2.0 m
• respirator, goggles, rubber gloves.

Materials for work

• priming deep penetration,
• putty,
• serpyanka or paper perforated tape for seams,
• perforated metal and plastic corners,
• fiberglass,
• glue for glass wallpaper.

Putty

Every novice finisher has a question about what is the best way to putty drywall. For work, use rough and finishing putty, gypsum, cement or polymer. Dry mixtures and ready-made solutions are available for sale.

Attention ! Following the principle: “like goes with like,” it is preferable to apply gypsum putties to drywall.

For finishing rooms with high humidity, cement, lime compounds or polymer putty are suitable.

For the main finishing, craftsmen use Fugenfüller gypsum putty or Hercules cement putty, for the top layer - finishing polymer Bergauf or Ceresit.

Surface preparation

The quality of the finish depends on how well the drywall is prepared for applying a layer of putty. To do this you should:

Padding

The purpose of applying primer is to create a polymer film that prevents moisture from penetrating deep and causing possible peeling. paper covering drywall, and also increase the adhesion of the putty to the base.

Any deep penetration primer can be used, but professionals recommend Ceresit ST17 primer. It creates a durable film. It is recommended to apply it in 2-3 layers, each subsequent one is applied after the previous one has completely dried.

Preparation of the solution

Gypsum putty is very demanding on the cleanliness of the container in which the mixture is prepared, and it sets quite quickly. The solution should be prepared for 0.5-1 hour of work according to the instructions on the package.

When pouring dry powder into water, add it until dry islands appear on the surface. This indicates that the proportions are met. The mixture must be quickly stirred until smooth and free of lumps and left for 5 minutes. The putty should be as thick as sour cream. After this, mix again and you can start working.

Attention ! Stir the solution gypsum putty not recommended after cooking.

Preparing corners and joints

Puttying drywall begins with preparing corners and joints. Here you will need a narrow spatula and a small amount of solution.

What type of putty should I use to fill drywall seams? To do this, use the Knauf Fugen composition. The embroidered seams are filled with the mixture, then strips of a special self-adhesive mesh or perforated paper are glued on and smoothed with a spatula. A 5-10 cm wide mesh will provide a strong grip.

After the putty has completely dried, you need to check whether the threads of the reinforcing mesh are sticking out, remove them with a knife, carefully cut off the unevenness of the seal with a spatula and prime everything.

Puttying

Plasterboard putty on ceilings and walls is done differently depending on the type of final finish. If you plan to stick wallpaper, a base and finishing layer of putty will be sufficient. For finishing and painting Venetian plaster you will need fiberglass.

How to putty a ceiling

The ceiling can be puttied immediately with finishing putty in 1-2 layers. Work is carried out from any wall in good lighting.

Important ! If you plan to apply two layers, then they should be applied perpendicular to each other so that the latter is lengthwise from the window.

This is done as follows:

Place a small amount of solution on a wide spatula and apply it to the surface with wide movements from the wall toward you or away from you. After a sufficient area has been treated, the layer is finally leveled with a rule moistened with water. Craftsmen do not use the rule, but a novice finisher will find it useful. The entire surface is treated in this way.

If dark spots of drywall are not visible from under the layer of dried putty, this can be enough. If the layer is uneven, you need to apply a second one. To do this, the unevenness is removed with a sanding mesh, the ceiling is primed and puttied again. The dried surface is thoroughly sanded, dust is removed and primer is applied to it for painting.

How to putty drywall under wallpaper

To make it clear how to properly putty drywall, video from experienced craftsmen will help you understand all the subtleties.

You will need a narrow and wide spatula. To ensure that the putty is of high quality, consider a few subtleties:

• the spatula should not have bent corners, nicks or other defects on work surface;
• During the work, you need to ensure that lumps of dried mortar and other solid particles do not fall into the solution or onto the spatula. They will leave streaks on the surface that are difficult to deal with;
• the remaining solution should be removed from both sides of the surface of the working spatula. It is better to throw the dried solution in the trash.

Operating procedure:

1. Using a narrow spatula, place a small amount of the mixture evenly on the edge of the working surface of a wide spatula,
2. starting from the corner, apply it to the wall in wave-like movements and carefully level it with the movements of the spatula in different directions. You can make semicircular movements, wavy, but not straight. It is better to start application from a clean area, moving to the treated part;
3. collect the remaining solution with a narrow spatula and again evenly distribute it over the surface of the wide one, adding a fresh portion;
4. remove defects in the dried layer with a sanding mesh or sandpaper;
5. Clean the surface from dust with a large brush or rag;
6. apply primer;
7. Apply a layer of finishing putty to the primed surface in the same way, and after drying, sand it with a paint sanding mesh number 180-220 in a circular motion;
8. Clean the surface from dust and prime.

How to putty drywall for painting and decorative plaster

When finishing plasterboard walls and ceilings in new brick houses, as well as for painting or decorative Venetian plaster, the surface should be reinforced with thin fiberglass.

It will prevent the appearance of cracks and other defects. The fiberglass canvas is glued onto a sanded and primed layer of putty using PVA glue or for glass wallpaper as follows:

• glue is applied to the wall in an even layer,
• overlap (3-5 cm) fiberglass sheets, trying to ensure that their joints do not fall on the joints of drywall,
• carefully level the canvas with your hands and a spatula, removing air from under it,
• after gluing the two canvases, the overlap area is cut using a construction knife, the excess canvas is removed, the joints are leveled,
• The top of the canvas is once again covered with glue and smoothed with a spatula.

A thin layer of finishing putty is applied to the dried glue, carefully leveled and sanded with a paint mesh. After grinding and removing dust, the surface is covered with deep penetration primer 1-2 times.

Plasterboard walls prepared in this way will be even, smooth, ready to be covered with any finishing materials.