FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
SUBSCRIBE TODAY

Save up to

set_percent% off

the cover price

In-depth articles, up-close photography, and detailed illustrations in every issue.

Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe

Fine Homebuilding Project Guides

Drywall

Guide Home
Chapter
  • Drywall Basics
  • Tools and Materials
  • Hanging Drywall
  • Taping and Sanding
  • Special Installations
  • Drywall Repairs
  • Plaster
How-To

Roll Compound on Your Drywall Seams for Faster, Easier Taping

Add a little water, grab a paint roller, and speed up this tedious job.

By Charles Miller

This tip comes from Myron Ferguson of Albany, New York:

This is a nice tip for applying drywall compound in a really fast way.

I’ve use this method for quite a few years and have dramatically increased our production when putting a finish coat on a seam.

I’d have one person come through with compound that had been thinned but wasn’t too watered down. That person would simply just center it right on the seam and roll it down. The seams are finished about 12 inches wide. We use a 9-inch roller with a 1/2-inch or maybe even a bit longer nap. With the 9-inch roller, we’re able to get a nice straight edge of compound over the seam.

So that was very fast and easy to apply; now you simply take your taping knife and remove the compound.

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Sign Up
Previous: Invisible Drywall Seams Next: Skim Coating

Guide

Drywall

Chapter

Taping and Sanding

View Comments

  1. J_prime | May 31, 2016 07:50am | #1

    No video on the site seems to work. Other comments indicate this has been true for a while. Nice job FHB.

  2. user-6127177 | Feb 07, 2017 05:57pm | #2

    Excellent. I'm a superintendent...slow...like I don't want to have dust so I will apply several coats until the seams disappear but the first 2 coats could be handled your way. Thanks for sharing

  3. Fonzie777 | Apr 08, 2017 12:29pm | #3

    Looks like a great idea - planning to try it thanks!

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Drywall

Drywall

Trusted, comprehensive guidance for choosing, hanging, taping, sanding, and repairing drywall—the right way

View Project Guide

View All Project Guides »

Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Drywall Project Guide.

Start Free Trial

Drywall Basics
  • Types and Uses of Drywall
  • Planning the Job
Tools and Materials
  • Hanging Tools
  • Taping Tools and Materials
  • Sanding and Finishing Tools and Materials
Hanging Drywall
  • Prep for Hanging
  • Measuring and Cutting Drywall
  • Guidelines for Hanging and Fastening Drywall
  • Hanging Ceilings
  • Hanging Walls
  • Hanging Airtight Drywall
  • Trim Accessories/Corner Beads
Taping and Sanding
  • Taping Basics
  • Taping Seams
  • Taping Inside and Outside Corners
  • Sanding
Special Installations
  • Tricky Transitions
  • Curved Surfaces
  • Other Special Installations
  • Decorating with Drywall
Drywall Repairs
  • Patching Holes, Cracks, and More
Plaster
  • Working with Lime Plaster
  • Plaster Repair
  • Classic Plaster Techniques

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to set_percent%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in