Walls and Ceilings - Small Cracks after 1st mud coat....

Trying to teach myself how to tape drywall. I did a single inside corner late last night. THis morning, I noticed several small cracks in the center of the corner.

Is this normal or did I do something wrong?

Were you using a pre-mixed in the bucket or box type joint compound? If so cracking with the first coat is normal just becasue of shrinkage, another factor is how thick did you apply the mud in the corner. Thicker you apply it, more likely chance of cracking.

Just knock down any high spots with your drywall knife and throw another skim coat of mud over it. I assume you used some sort of tape paper/mesh before you mudded? This iwll help long term issues holding everything together.

I used pre-mixed all purpose joint compound. ANd I did use paper tape with a metal backing in the corner. The tape seems to be covered pretty good in that I couldn't see it. I just wasn't sure if I should continue on or wait 3 weeks for a local drywall guy to fit me into his schedule.

Did you thin the all-purpose mud with water and mix it well before appling it? Kind of sounds like you may have used it straight out of the bucket. You do need to thin it down with water and it needs to be mixed well, I use a high speed 1/2" drill and a mixer paddle for this.

How much drywall do you have to finish? If this is a real large job (like a new house)or has alot of beadwork to do, you might be better off waiting for a pro, but I can teach virtually anybody to do finish work if they have the patience. You don't want to try & over work the mud on the wall. You're not going to get it perfectly smooth with the knife, that's what the idiot stick (pole sander) is for. Bottomline, the key to a good finish is coats and patience. Takes at least 3 coats for a good finish and the patience to leave it alone & let it dry thoroughally between coats.

I did use it straight out of the bucket. I mixed it up pretty good and got it looking a bit like cake batter but I did not add water. The directions on the side of the bucket didn't mention that.

The room is only a 8x8 bathroom. I got a good deal on a big house that needs lots of work. This is the first room but I'll have to do drywall in every room by the time its over.

I hope you are not going to recommend tearing it all out and starting over!

For a room of this size, how much compound should I expect to use?

One box should be enough for a small room like that. Add a cupful of water to that mud, it'll make this alot easier. Also I'd only use all-purpose for taping. Are you havin' fun yet? :D

I bought pre mix in the bucket and it was so thin that it ran off the bathroom wall and into my face. I was doing a fur down around the tub and I am still digging bits out of my eyes. I had to thicken it to get it to stay on the wall. Point being; DO NOT OVERTHIN!!! You can always reapply another coat. Thinner coats dry quicker and don't crack as bad either.