What is the purpose of placing fiberglass tape between the joints of drywall?

Question

I just patched up a 4"x4" hole by using a plug, but I'm hesitant to put the fiberglass tape around it before applying the joint compound. I'm worried that the tape will just add an additional indentation on the wall.

Answer 1

TAPE IS TO HIDE SEAMS YOU SHOULD USE IT .YOU NEED TO FEATHER OUT YOUR JOINT COMPOUND THIS WILL TAKE SEVERAL COATS DO NOT TRY TO DO IT ALL AT ONCE TAKE YOUR TIME SAND BETWEEN COATS USE 180 GRIT YOUR 4x4 HOLE WILL BE BIGER THAN WHEN YOU STARTED PRIME THEN FINISH YOU WILL DO JUST FINE

Answer 2

Yes you can. Better might be poly blend, but the mesh is fine. I'm very old school, and use both; and you'll get answers stating preferences, and certainly with respect; it's your choice. There are hundreds; perhaps thousands of links describing the process. In fact I just today read an article in Popular Mechanics, 3 pages long on HOW TO, Nov. 07 issue, probably accessible online. The notion for the advent of the mesh tape was two fold, at least. First of all it's modestly self adhesive, allowing that one need not strictly Knife on Mud then apply paper tape, then mud over in each successive dry stage. Second...It's mesh; allowing that Mud will fill the voids. The greater issue is that we all have opinions, and what works is what's best. Steven Wolf ADD ON: Without more detail here, I'm looking for the article or a link to it, and will send it if you wish.

Answer 3

Patching a 4"x4" hole isn't much different than finishing an entire room of drywall. It is still very much a 3-step process. 1-the tape coat (adheres the tape (paper) or covers the tape (mesh). Don't worry about completely covering the tape yet; Step 2-the fill coat This is where you fan out and smooth your edges. You may have to repeat this step a few times using progressively wider trowels. Step 3-the finish coat. This is a very thin final coat that should cover all eges. Thin the drywall mud slightly (not runny) for this. Lightly sand between all steps and you should be a pro in no time. Here is a link for a step-by-step with pics : http://www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/drywall/drwl_5.htm

Answer 4

You can use the mesh tape, but paper tape works better. You will have the feather the joint compound, but use a sponge then drywall mesh to sand it.

If you use the mesh tape, it has an adhesive that sticks it to the drywall before applying the mud.

If you use paper tape, make sure the mud is a little wetter than normal, apply a thin coat first, then apply damp tape and another thin coat of joint compound.

Allow it to totally dry, then slowly build the thickness of the joint compound.

You will want to build it up some, then sand with a wet sponge first. Allow it to dry then feather with a drywall mesh sander. These usually come in fine, medium or heavy grit.

Don't get in a hurry, and don't worry, drywall is very forgivable.

Answer 5

The tape creates a good joint between 2 sheets of sheet rock and prevents cracks in the joint compound.

Answer 6

If you patched the hole using a 4"x4" piece of sheet rock you should of left a sleeve out on all four sides to plaster against the wall and then when it dry's you sand down till smooth and then paint.
You should not have to put tape on unless you didn't leave a sleeve.

It's called a hot patch and that is a how I fix holes in sheet rock.

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Answer 7

Don't do it for the plug.

Notice along the edges of new drywall; it's not as thick. This is so the tape and joint compound will NOT make a bulge, so it will be as flat as possible.

The purpose of course is to hide the cracks between the drywall sheets.

Answer 8

Stop trying to reinvent the wheel. The compound is too brittle to work without the tape. The tape provides strength, holding the compound over the crack.

Answer 9

Paper tape is better. It is messy for a beginner so if you decide to use fiberglass mesh tape, be sure to use a setting type compound.

Answer 10

The tape adheres much better than the paper tape and the mud itself embeds better.(not to mention, the fiberglass tape won't tear or shift like the paper tape) We are actually in the process of remodeling our master suite and hung all new drywall. The fiberglass tape works much faster and uses less mud than the paper tape.

Good Luck! ;)

Answer 11

it holds the plug in place - place tape on, then joint compound, after drying sand down any high spots, then repeat if needed, sand it until the surface is level and smooth, then paint.