Knauf AU's guide to avoiding compound dry-out

Avoiding the risk of early dry-out

Knauf air-drying compounds help you avoid risk of early dry-out in hot windy dry conditions

Summer is nearly here and with it can come hot windy dry days that can cause taping and cornice ‘bond’ failure, as well as cracking from weak, powdery joints that set too quickly.

Avoid the risk of early dry-out in your compounds by switching to air-drying products, such as Knauf BaseCote™, Cornice Adhesive or RediBase™. These compounds are designed for the hot and dry conditions Australia is so well known for, and they’re a safer choice for days of excessive heat when evaporation or absorption by hot plasterboard can cause dry-out before the essential setting process takes place.

How plaster-based compounds lose water

In hot weather and low humidity, excessive evaporation or absorption by hot plasterboard can cause dry-out before the essential setting process takes place.

Evaporation

Absorption by porous surfaces

Chemical reaction (hydration) to form fully set, hard gypsum

Here are three tips to help you avoid jointing issues this summer:

1. Use plaster-based compounds with shorter setting times, such as our BaseCote 45 or Cornice Adhesive 45 products
 

2. Allow longer-setting products to stand for 30 minutes after missing so they set soon after application

 

3. Choose an air-drying pre-mixed compound, such as our RediBase, SHEETROCK® Taping Joint Compound, All Purpose Premix or Total Joint Finish

 

Other Recommendations

  • • Avoid using plaster-based compounds in extreme weather conditions
  • • Schedule tape jointing during cooler parts of the day
  • • Close windows and doors to avoid drafts
  • • Wet down surfaces immediately before applying
  • • Ensure ample plaster under tape and immediately skim coat over
  • • When using mechanical tapers, avoid excessive pressure or runny mixes

 

 

Prepare for the summer season now – click here to download a copy of our Summer Smart Compounds Guide or use our Where to Buy tool to find your closest store.

To learn more about our products, get in touch with Knauf TecASSIST™ on 1800 811 222.

 
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