Do you need to put up drywall, but your wall is still wet? Are you doing a project that requires adding another layer of plaster or drywall to finish your space in time? If so, plaster scrim tape may be the perfect solution.
What’s Plaster Scrim Tape?
Plaster scrim tape is a strong fiberglass mesh tape used for reinforcing seams in plaster and stucco surfaces. It prevents cracking when two flexible materials are applied together. Additionally, it protects against moisture which could lead to the installation failing. Plaster scrim tape comes in different widths and thicknesses, ideal for varying applications within homes and buildings.
Here are three examples of when using this type of product would be extremely helpful:
- When Installing Drywall on a Wet Wall
Drywall is not permanently installed on completely dry walls, especially in an area where the climate is humid or moist year-round. If you are doing a large home renovation project, there may be times when it rains before the wall has time to dry out, which means you’ll need to take precautions with your installation process to ensure proper adhesion. This tape will allow you to install the drywall over wet surfaces without fail due to excess moisture seeping through seam cracks between sheets of drywall. It can also be used before laying fiberglass mesh for fire-rated applications and attaching a hardibacker cement board for tiling projects.
- When You Want to Add an Extra Layer of Plaster or Drywall for Your Project
Many homeowners are unaware that they can purchase plaster scrim tape, which is very easy to use, inexpensive, and has many uses. It’s also a great product to have around the home because it can be used in different applications. If you’re working on an extensive bathroom, remodel project. Using this product will allow you to install drywall over wet surfaces and provide extra protection if your walls have been exposed to excess moisture before the installation process. This includes basements with high humidity levels and bathrooms or kitchens where leaks may occur during certain seasons of the year due to faucets running too long or irregular weather conditions.
- When Working with an Irregular Surface
If you’re working on a repair project and the surface has been exposed to moisture, this type of tape will provide extra reinforcement due to its flexibility. It is flexible enough for uneven surfaces such as masonry walls with many cracks or rough areas where it’s difficult for regular paper tape to adhere properly. Additionally, it can also be used when two materials are applied at different times. In other words, if you need to add drywall over plaster and there was already a layer of drywall in place, this product would allow you to do so without having to remove the existing wallboard first.
How to Use Plaster Scrim Tape
Step One: Cut a piece of tape approximately 4 inches longer than the area you’ll be covering with drywall. Make sure that length also accommodates the overlapping section on each end.
Peel off one side of the plastic backing, exposing half of the adhesive. Align your tape over the seam and press firmly to ensure it adheres properly to the surface beneath it. Next, peel off the remaining portion from the plastic carrier sheet in the opposite direction, smoothing across drywall as you go without applying too much pressure. Finally, cut away any leftover bits using a straightedge razor knife or box cutter blade, making clean cuts perpendicular to seams for best results.