Struggling with mud consistency in this swampy basement job

I'm taping a basement that feels like a sauna. Every time I mix a batch of mud, it starts to crust over before I can even finish a seam. Is there a trick to slowing down the dry time when the air is this thick?

3 comments

3 Comments

jenniferh471mo ago

Nina365 has the right idea with cold water slowing things down. I also add a splash of white vinegar or a bit of Elmer's glue to the mix for more open time. Try both tricks together on your next batch.

nina3651mo ago

My buddy Steve swears by using fridge-cold water for his mix in muggy places. He had the same crusting problem in a garage last summer and that helped him a lot. Slows the whole reaction down.

barnes.lisa1mo ago

You mentioned the mud crusts over before you finish a seam. What specific type of mud are you using, like all-purpose or a setting compound? Have you tried mixing in a commercial retarder instead of home remedies, since they're made for this exact problem? Also, how's the ventilation in that basement - can you get a fan blowing to move the damp air around?