Understanding how to properly putty the inner corners of walls can make a big difference in the final appearance of your DIY home repair project. Whether you’re renovating a space or taking on a more extensive project, a professional finish depends on cutting those corners precisely and seamlessly.
When puttying inner corners, or the intersections of walls, care must be taken to ensure proper technique. When painted, uneven surfaces or putty applied incorrectly can leave visible seams or cracks that take away from the overall beauty of your walls. A perfect result requires careful planning and execution.
We’ll take you step-by-step through the process of puttying inner corners in this guide. We’ll go over everything you need to know to confidently take on this part of your home repair project, from prepping the surfaces to selecting the appropriate tools and evenly applying the putty.
- The main nuances of puttying corner joints
- What compositions to use?
- How to carry out the procedure correctly?
- Preparing to start puttying
- Applying the mixture
- Alignment
- Grouting the surface
- Possible errors in operation
- Expert advice
- Video on the topic
- How to remove a corner of a wall with putty
- How and with what to putty internal corners? Edma spatula
The main nuances of puttying corner joints
The inner and outer corners of the walls must be puttied during repairs. Selecting the appropriate combination is crucial, keeping in mind the kind of surface and space.
The putty is supplied in a ready-made, dried state. Although there are lower labor costs in the first scenario, the expenses are higher. Putting the finer details in:
- A perfectly even angle can only be achieved by grinding the surface, but not by puttying.
- It is necessary to control the size of the putty fraction – the larger it is, the thicker the layer.
- Initially measure the depth of the drop. If it is less than 1 mm, use a finishing solution.
- For external corners, perforated corners are required; for internal ones they are not needed.
- To determine the vertical skew in the corner, install a ruler along the laser line of the level.
- After the putty has dried, the internal corner joints require adjustment with a sanding trowel.
Corner alignment is not advised if noticeable distortions are found. Although the amount of material consumed will rise, no discernible change will occur. Here, using a gypsum mixture is preferable.
What compositions to use?
Puttying them with universal compounds is possible. It is preferable to select a starting mixture and apply a finishing layer over it if the unevenness is substantial. Gypsum is appropriate for interior dry walls, while polymer and cement compositions are appropriate for rooms with high humidity and facade work. There will also need to be a deep penetration primer used.
Instruments:
- container for mixing the solution;
- construction mixer;
- medium painting spatula (up to 10–15 cm);
- wide metal spatula (up to 45 cm);
- metal grinder;
- corner spatula;
- reinforcing mesh (serpyanka);
- laser level;
- angular sanding float;
- sandpaper Р100–200.
60 mm serpyanka is used to reinforce the joints between sheets of plasterboard. Mounting adhesive is used to secure it after opening the gypsum board seams and embedding it.
How to carry out the procedure correctly?
Puttying them is not too difficult. After pre-marking and distortion identification, the mixture is ready. A sanding float is used to rub the corners after the solution has been applied.
Preparing to start puttying
A hammer and chisel or a stationery knife must be used to remove any protruding corners from the surface. As directed, mix the mixture until lumps and a pasty consistency are present.
With a construction pencil, a ruler, and a laser level, you can determine the proper angle between the walls:
- select the vertical plane construction mode at the level;
- move the device as close to the wall as possible, fix the beam parallel;
- starting from the top edge of the corner, apply a ruler in increments of 5–7 cm;
- the laser mark on the ruler will indicate the distance from the wall to the tool;
- After each step, make marks on the base, indicating the depth of the drop.
It will become evident at this point what the maximum depth of drop you have to work with is.
- If the distortion is more than 5 mm, then leveling with plaster along the beacons is required.
- If more than 1 mm, but less than 5 mm, then first you need to apply a layer of starting solution.
- Otherwise, you can use finishing or universal.
The mixture must be poured into the water, not the other way around. If there is a lot of filler in the plaster, mix by hand or on low speed with the mixer. After three to five minutes, give the mixture another stir. It is then prepared for usage.
Applying the mixture
It is nearly impossible to immediately create a perfect corner joint. As a result, it’s critical to evenly distribute the solution and eliminate any minor flaws before grouting. A wide metal spatula is required to apply the mixture. How to put it to use:
- use a paint spatula to transfer the mixture to the edge of the main working tool;
- Apply the spatula with the mortar to the wall from the inside with a gentle slope;
- press lightly, sharply move the tool along the wall towards you;
- randomly fill with putty, making sure that the composition fills the cracks;
- a similar procedure must be performed on the other wall from the same corner;
- to squeeze out the putty, apply the spatula almost parallel to the surface;
- after application, immediately cut off the composition, placing the tool almost perpendicularly;
- after processing, drown the sickle in the composition so that the solution is squeezed out through the mesh;
- cover the reinforcing mesh with a layer of finishing mortar until the pattern is hidden.
Use an angle spatula as an alternative. The tool is placed against the wall nearly perpendicularly rather than parallel. Insert the putty where the point touches the corner line from the inside. Almost nothing will remain on the walls in terms of composition. Apply one more layer beneath the serpyanka as a result, but make sure the tool is tightly fixed.
Perforated corners are not utilized during removal. The process entails final leveling or grouting preparation and is done by hand.
Alignment
There is no need to precisely align the corner beneath the baseboard. Use putty with an acrylic base for this. It is sufficient to apply a level layer that is no thicker than 1 mm. After installing the spatula slightly angled, the composition is leveled by vertically moving the tool from the internal corner joint. Using a metal trowel, the putty is extracted along the upper perimeter, all the way to the corner.
Similar to removing internal trim, sickle tape or tape with metal threads is used to form straight corners without a plinth. Unlike adhesive tape, serpyanka does not distort beneath the putty layer even though it may fall behind. As a result, here you must apply a minimum of two overlapping layers. Moreover, metallic tape is not easily cracked.
Grouting the surface
Grinding can be used to sharpen the coating’s slight rounding that occurs during formation. Use regular or special corner graters (for external ones) to accomplish this.
- install a P100 or P150 attachment on the tool so that its edge protrudes 15–20 mm beyond the grater;
- It is faster to work with an angled float – it is applied to the surface, then rubbed at 90 0;
- You can also sharpen it with an ordinary grater by sanding the walls first on one side, then on the other;
- make energetic and fast movements, but do not jerk the instrument if you feel resistance;
- the latter is possible if roughness has formed on the surface – they need to be cut off with a knife or spatula;
- You can sand up to 30–40% of the coating; after finishing work, the surface can be dusted with a dry brush or rag;
- the outer corners are sharpened in the same way.
Never use a household vacuum or a moist cloth to wipe away dust from a surface. Penetrating primer must be applied in one or two layers following sanding. The surface is prepared for decorative finishing after three to four hours.
Possible errors in operation
The following errors when using putty can reduce the coating’s lifespan:
- Don"t neglect pre-marking. The optimal method for removing corners (plaster or putty) will depend on the depth of the difference. This factor also affects the type of composition (universal, finishing, starting).
- Cover the layer of starting putty with the finish. Starting compositions are distinguished by a large fraction, which allows them to be applied in a thick layer. They are difficult to grind and do not form a smooth surface.
- Don"t neglect reinforcing materials. Some building bases may shrink, which leads to cracking of the putty and chipping. Serpyanka and metallized tape help prevent cracks; it is better to choose non-shrinking compositions.
- Do not try to manually fill joints and crevices in corners. Follow the technology for laying the putty, squeezing the composition with mechanical force onto the spatula. The solution will lie evenly and cover defects.
- Do not putty corner joints of drywall without first jointing. The structure must be disassembled and the seams cleaned. They are filled with adhesive and then stitched together. First, the serpyanka is attached, then puttying is done.
Try to lay the mesh in a rectangular shape as carefully as you can. Keep the room at the same temperature to prevent the putty from shrinking and flowing.
Expert advice
To make your job easier, apply the following professional advice:
- take measures to protect mucous membranes and skin, work in a respirator, safety glasses, rubber gloves;
- follow the coating thickness specified in the instructions on the packaging (within 1–2 mm for different compositions);
- apply several layers of mortar if required, but the total thickness of the coating should not exceed 10 mm;
- if the putty is applied on top of the plaster, then sanding in case of significant differences is better done before starting puttying;
- the depth of the distortion allows you to more accurately calculate the material consumption and determine the optimal coating thickness;
- It is better to plaster uneven walls first and only then putty;
- when puttingtying drywall, do not use a universal self-adhesive mesh, giving preference to profile materials;
- before puttying, check the end between the wall and the ceiling for protrusions, remove them with a plane or knife;
- To level the outside, you can use the construction rule, leveling the mortar along the wall.
Without the aid of artisans or specialized equipment, you are able to create right internal angles on your own. Determine the depth of the distortion; this will determine the kind of putty used, the coating’s thickness, and the amount of material used. To completely cover the serpyanka and level the corners, it is best to apply the solution in two or three layers. When doing the final sanding, it is very crucial to keep respiratory and eye protection in mind.
A vital skill for any do-it-yourselfer taking on home repairs is knowing how to properly putty walls’ inner corners. These instructions will help you accomplish a polished and seamless finish.
Begin by thoroughly prepping the corners. With a putty knife, remove any loose debris or old putty, and make sure the surface is dry and clean. This preliminary action lays the groundwork for an impeccable outcome.
Next, use a putty knife or corner trowel to evenly apply the putty into the corner. Apply consistent pressure as you work the putty into the corner, making sure it completely fills in any spaces. Remove any excess putty to prevent uneven or bumpy surfaces.
As directed by the manufacturer, give the putty enough time to dry completely after applying it. Rushing this process can cause later flaws or cracks.
To make the putty blend seamlessly with the surrounding wall, sand the surface lightly after it has dried. For a smooth finish, use light, circular strokes with fine-grit sandpaper. To prepare a surface for painting, use a moist cloth to remove any remaining dust.
Puttying the inside corners of your walls can be done expertly if you meticulously follow these instructions. Take your time, pay close attention to every detail, and bask in the accomplishment of a job well done.
This tutorial will walk you through the process of using putty to create inner wall corners that are smooth and polished, which is an essential skill for any do-it-yourselfer. We’ll go over useful advice and methods to help you accomplish flawless results, so your walls will look professionally finished without the need for pricey contractors, from cleaning the corners to applying and finishing the putty.