You can use many different materials when renovating your bathroom — one of the most popular is regular joint compound. But before using this in your bathroom, you should know how to apply it correctly.
You can use a regular joint compound in a bathroom. But since a regular joint compound isn’t waterproof on its own, use paint, which is water-resistant, to top the compound. Applying a top coat will ensure you have a barrier between the moisture of your bathroom and the joint compound.
The rest of this article will explain how to safely use joint compounds in your bathroom to prevent water damage and mildew. Damp walls can cause mold to grow, so you must be careful to prevent this from happening.
Why Do You Need To Waterproof Your Joint Compound?
You need to waterproof your joint compound because bathrooms have a lot of humidity and moisture. Using regular joint compounds alone can result in water damage and even lead to toxic black mold growth.
You can prevent this from happening by using an appropriate product on top of your joint compound that’s waterproof and mold-resistant.
This barrier will keep the moisture out and protect your walls.
Always read the labels before purchasing.
That way, you know you’re using the correct products. If you have a specific question about joint compounds and bathrooms, ask a home improvement professional for their advice before starting your project.
What Paint Should You Use on Top of a Joint Compound?
Use water-based latex paint on top of your joint compound in a bathroom setting. This type of paint will adhere well and protect the integrity of your wall surfaces from water damage, mold growth, or other issues that stem from moisture in the air or on the walls themselves.
If you use another kind of paint (oil-based), it won’t adhere as well and may even peel off of the wall with time.
In addition, oil-based paints will give off fumes that are harmful to your health.
What Type of Joint Compound Should You Use?
Regular all-purpose joint compound is the type of joint compound you should use in your bathroom. Using lightweight products can cause issues such as cracking or peeling because these types of compounds contain fewer binding agents.
All-purpose compounds are thicker and will be able to adhere well to your walls because there’s more adhesive in these products.
Using them can help prevent any issues with moisture and aid you in keeping a waterproof barrier between the wall surfaces and the air around them.
Related: Do I Need To Waterproof Shower Walls Before Tiling?
How To Apply Joint Compound
Before you begin working with the joint compound, do the following:
- Ensure that the room is adequately ventilated and there are no open flames nearby.
- Be aware of any fumes which can cause dizziness or nausea; these chemicals shouldn’t be inhaled.
- Use a respirator (if necessary) to avoid any health risks.
Proper application of joint compound requires that it’s applied evenly.
You’ll need to use a trowel to apply it in thin coats. Don’t try to apply it too thickly, as this can lead to problems down the road.
You’ll want to make smooth and even layers when you’re using this product.
When applying regular joint compounds in a bathroom, you should use a putty knife instead of a taping knife. It will allow you to spread the mix in one direction and smooth it down with less effort.
The more time you spend on this step, the better your result will be because of how well the joint compound will adhere to the wall surface.
Once you’ve applied an even coat of joint compound, it’s time for sanding.
You can use a hand sander or an orbital sander to smooth out the compound.
When applying joint compound in a bathroom setting, ensure that you always have a fan running.
Doing so will help speed up the drying process and prevent moisture from causing bubbles or other issues.
It’s also important to note that you should never apply joint compound when the humidity is too high, as this will cause it to take longer to dry and could lead to problems down the road.
If you’re not familiar with working with joint compounds, it’s best to consult a professional before starting your bathroom renovation project.
They can help you choose the right products and give you instructions on how to properly apply them so that you can avoid any potential problems in the future.
Conclusion
You can use a regular joint compound in a bathroom setting, but you need to take some precautions.
By knowing which products to use and how to apply them properly, you can keep moisture out of your walls and protect your drywall from any lasting damage that may come with humidity or moisture.