SCRIM TAPE is among the several plastering equipment that the pros never leave home without. While it is technically acceptable to accomplish a plastering work without it, performing so can have serious consequences for the finish’s appearance and stability. Gaps in plaster that have been placed without scrim tapes might get weaker over time, and will crack which could be time-consuming (and costly!) to repair.
SCRIM TAPE: WHAT IS IT
It’s a self-adhesive tape made of a robust, open-weave cloth that’s among the most popular plastering products. This small mesh nets resembles a thicker form of medical gauze, and it comes in a variety of sizes, commonly ranging between 48mm to 100mm broad. Its primary function is to reinforce plasterboard gaps, ensuring a smooth and stable connection.
PURPOSE OF USING A SCRIM TAPE
If you’ve ever installed plasterboard, you’ll be aware that there are several joints among the panels. Whenever two sections of plasterboard are being bonded, scrim tape must be utilised.
- After applying the scrim, the region should be sealed over with skimming cement. There is indeed a good probability that the interconnections will break down in the end if they are not properly scrimmed. It’ll be difficult to eliminate a plaster coating after it’s been put in.
- Although the most competent installers can’t completely erase these spaces by merely pushing the plasterboard along, finding a single element of plasterboard large enough to span an entire inside wall is difficult. After the final section of cement has been put, these spaces can ultimately result in cracks if they are not sealed with scrim tape.
- The free weaving of a scrim tape is intended to prevent this by just attaching to the plasterboard and keeping the individual portions in place whereas the final coat of skimmed plaster is placed over top.
Once you’ve taken good care of all that, you can rest comfortable that most of your hard work will be saved.
HOW DO YOU USE SCRIM TAPE?
If you’re wondering when and how to utilize scrim tape, it’s right after you’ve finished applying the first covering of plasterboard although just before you add the finishing skim coat. Begin by softening the tape across the joints, making sure it reaches both sides evenly; if it is applied at a skewed position, it will be less beneficial. To avoid cracking, the inside corners must also be taped
IMPORTANT FACTORS TO KEEP IN MIND:
- When putting the skimmed coat, aim to avoid overlapping distinct lengths of scrim tape in chance one of them gets snagged by trowel
- Don’t be concerned if the scrim tape doesn’t adhere as well as you expected. It won’t be as strong as the adhesives used to join glass, hardwood, or metals
- The surface’s hardness can also impact how effectively it adheres
SCRIM TAPE is a simple and cost-effective technique to extend the life of your plasterwork. It’s simple to apply and excellent at keeping cracks at bay. Using scrim tape is indeed a step which should not be overlooked when plastering on plasterboard, as we have learned many things about it.