Why is drywall mud so tricky when the weather gets warm?

I was finishing a ceiling last Friday and the joint compound dried out almost instantly. This meant I had to stop and mix fresh mud every few minutes, throwing off my whole rhythm. It's frustrating that basic training never covers how to adjust for heat like this. What's your go-to method for keeping mud workable on hot days?

3 comments

3 Comments

kimhall1mo ago

Ever think it's less about the heat and more about the air moving around? A fan or open window can dry it out way faster than the temperature alone.

paulsanchez1mo ago

Man, you just solved why my bathroom towel never dries in that stuffy corner.

jana_fox501mo ago

Totally right about air movement being the real killer. A closed up room with still air feels way different than a space with a cross breeze, even at the same temp. Working in my garage with the big door open, the mud skins over in minutes if there's any wind. The trick is to kill the breeze but maybe run a fan pointed at a wall, not your work area. On super humid hot days, it's a weird mix where the mud stays wet longer but the tape won't stick right. Gotta watch for both.