That basement job in Spokane where the mud just would not set

Last week I was taping a basement in an old house, and the joint compound stayed wet for two full days. The homeowner had the heat off to save money, and the place was maybe 55 degrees. I've never seen 90-minute mud act like that before. I ended up bringing in a couple of small space heaters just to get a skin on it so I could sand. Has anyone else run into this with the cold? What's the lowest temp you'll even try to work in?

2 comments

2 Comments

brookepark14d ago

Yeah, cold mud is the worst. I had a job like that in an old farmhouse, maybe 50 degrees inside. The all-purpose just would not dry. Ended up mixing in some powder setting-type compound with my premix to force it to kick, maybe a 50/50 blend. Now I just don't start if it's below 60 inside, it's not worth the wait. Portable propane heaters can help in a pinch, but you have to be careful about fumes.

the_robert13d ago

That 50/50 blend with the setting compound. Did it crack later? Always worried about that.