I've been on a few sites lately where the air is thick, and the joint compound just stays wet... had to delay sanding by a whole day. Even with fans blowing, it feels like you're fighting the weather. Really makes me wonder if there's a product out there that handles humidity better.
A lot of guys say you need it to stop ceilings from drooping, but I find if the framing is right it holds up just fine. It really speeds things up on smaller projects.
I agreed to get the job done. Seeing it crack after painting made me rethink. Should we always stick to spec even under pressure?
I was redoing my small bathroom and decided to leave out the vapor barrier to save time... After a couple of months, I kept seeing dark, damp spots near the shower wall... When I pulled a section off, the back was all soggy and had black mold starting... Now I always use that plastic, even in rooms that don't seem too wet...
I used to think storing drywall outside was fine if it was just for a short while. Then one job got delayed by rain, and the boards swelled up. Had to toss them and start over. Now I see other installers using tarps every time, and I do too. It's a small habit that prevents big problems and keeps projects on track.
We were on a tight deadline last summer, and he grabbed a 12-foot sheet without bending his knees. Heard a pop, and down he went. Had to call an ambulance, and the project stalled for weeks. I've since made it a rule to always warm up and use a hoist for big pieces. Your body isn't replaceable, unlike a missed deadline.
I used to slap mud on and then tape over it, thinking it was faster. But the tape would bubble up and create more work later. After a few bad seams, I tried taping first and putting mud over it. The results are much smoother, and I spend less time fixing mistakes. It's a small change that made a big difference.