I recently had a water leak from my central AC tube in the utility room, which led to mold spreading on the drywall. Since it's just a utility space and I won't be painting it, I'm planning to replace the bottom panel of drywall. My question is, can I skip the taping and mudding process, considering the rough finish won't be an issue?
2 Answers
Fire codes typically mandate that all joints must have tape embedded in mud. So, even if you’re not worried about the aesthetics, you'll need to tape it for safety reasons. It’s a small effort for peace of mind!
Exactly! Plus, since it's just one sheet, you won't need a huge amount of tape and mud.
It's a good idea to check if there's insulation between the studs because you don't want the moisture affecting untreated framing. While it might be tempting to skip the taping and mudding to make it easier for future repairs, it's best to tape and mud it this time. This prevents headaches down the line if more leaks occur. Trust me, replacing drywall isn't hard—I managed it and I’m no expert!
I'm thinking there might be insulation since it's against my garage. I'm planning on doing it right and taping, even if it adds a bit of mess.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll check the fire code to make sure I'm compliant.