Cool weather drywall install?

[MushCreek]

Many of us have unheated garages that we want to finish off. I'm finishing our attached garage now, and wondering about taping and mudding in cool (not cold) weather. Everything I read says 55 degrees minimum, both when applying and until it dries. Our garage drops to 40-45 on a cool night, and I don't really want to wait a couple months til it warms up. I looked it up, and we had the house drywalled last February, and I know they just used regular old mud. There was no heat in the house, and they didn't bring a heater with them.

Will it be OK? I won't do it if it's going to be very cold, but it will get down below 50 at night.

 

[PAToyota]

If it dips below freezing, it makes a mess. If it stays above freezing, it just takes forever for it to dry out.

One thing you can do is use setting drywall compound (the stuff you mix from powder). That sets up quicker, harder, and produces its own heat.

 

[dfiler2]

Ok, unless you are a professional I would stay away from a Quick set type taping compound. It can be sanded but by the time you are done you'll have the sheetrock so roughed up it will never look right and you will probably be very frustrated. Quick set is a great product for putting the first coat on, it will dry fast and you can usually start on the second coat the same day. So if you are pretty experienced, go for it. As far as having a mess if it freezes I don't think that is true, all the mud I have used this winter has been delivered to the lumber yard in unheated trucks. The compound can freeze in the pail many times without hurting it. Having it drop to 45-50 will definitely slow down the drying process but it won't hurt the mud. I would want it warm when you are applying the tape and mud and you may need to wait an extra day in between coats to be sure it has dried thoroughly. You will be happier with the job if you put on several thin coats and keep sanding to a minimum.

 

[jvitez]

Do it once, do it right. Wait till it's warmer, or heat the garage with portable propane heat, not kerosene, until all your drying type mud coats are done.

 

[PAToyota]

As far as having a mess if it freezes I don't think that is true, all the mud I have used this winter has been delivered to the lumber yard in unheated trucks. The compound can freeze in the pail many times without hurting it.

If it freezes on the wall is a different matter entirely.

 

[dfiler2]

You have experience with that I presume. Please explain.

 

[Beemer533]

Many of us have unheated garages that we want to finish off. I'm finishing our attached garage now, and wondering about taping and mudding in cool (not cold) weather. Everything I read says 55 degrees minimum, both when applying and until it dries. Our garage drops to 40-45 on a cool night, and I don't really want to wait a couple months til it warms up. I looked it up, and we had the house drywalled last February, and I know they just used regular old mud. There was no heat in the house, and they didn't bring a heater with them.

Will it be OK? I won't do it if it's going to be very cold, but it will get down below 50 at night.

I just finished my laundry room in my basement last week, the temperature averages about 55-60. It took nearly 3 days for the mud to dry in the corners and thicker areas! Not fun...

 

[thewatusi]

Temporary heat.

I was a job superintendent for a tract builder and we built hundreds of houses (including finishing drywall, paint, flooring, etc.) in the dead of winter with no utilities.

We used 400lb propane tanks with these http://s3.heater-store.com/scart/public/database/product/images_products/4741_large.jpg The Mexican drywallers would crank them and it would be 90°+ inside. They'd do a whole house level 5 finish in 3 days.

But for you something smaller scale would work.

 

[James-W]

I would definitely heat the garage while doing the drywall. You can even use electric heaters if you want to. I know electric is more expensive, but it is only for a short time while you do the drywall finishing. Electric heaters are pretty cheap to buy, or you can maybe borrow a couple heaters to use from friends or family members.

 

[Sureshot]

With overnight temps like that use an electric heater for the little it will take. Don't overthink it.

 

[Slednut]

I was told propane was not the type of heat to use while finishing dry wall.

I used a 5000 watt heater when I added onto my attached garage.

 

[The Cobbler]

propane heat produces a lot of moisture, not that good fro drying mud. cool wont bother the mud, just will take longer to dry.

 

[83c10submariner]

+ 1 on not using a propane construction heater. If it's cold out your vapor barrier will actually sweat. Here is a little tip that works. During the day time while it is still warm get a bunch of fans and put in the garage after completing your muding. The moving air helps dry it quickly.

 

[ddawg16]

Why not just do the drywall and wait on tape and mud until it warms up?

You will be amazed at what drywall alone will do for warming it up.

I'm willing to bet that once the drywall alone is hung, it will be warmer than before.

 

[jask]

+1 on electric heaters, make sure you preheat the area for a day, it warms up the board and drys things to ensure the best bond. thin coats dry faster. if you use premix make sure you mix it well- it will smooth the consistency out and make it easier to apply.

 

[RivennHewn]

The problem is more than the mud.

Wood moves due to temp and humidity.

It is best to have the frame up to it's normal temperature for a while to acclimate the wood structure.

I've had jobs that looked great, but if the temp swings too much, the wood moves and the drywall cracks.

Propane heat adds moisture to the air. Right now I'm using a diesel fired heat exchanger type heater on a job.

 

[MushCreek]

At the risk pf drawing gasps of horror- It's just a garage. I'm just trying to get a fire tape on it for inspection. That's why I don't want to wait. I've got an inspection coming up, and it has to be fire taped to pass. I can make it look pretty later.

I'll try a couple small heaters, and see if they warm it at all. I'm not going to invest in a bigger heater just for this. I have a big 220V heater, but don't have 220 in the garage.

 

[tcianci]

If you're only interested in fire taping it, mix up some Durabond 45 setting type compound. In normal temperatures, it has a 45 minute working time but if it's cooler it will give you plenty of time to work with it and it will certainly set up faster than bucket mud. That and a little heat and you're good to go.