Finishing the Drywall in a Corner Shower

It's important to take the time to make sure the drywall is correctly installed in a corner shower. Correctly installed drywall will reduce the chance of drafts seeping into the room, cooling the air and increasing the chance of condensation getting trapped behind the walls. Condensation could cause mold and mildew growth. Taking the time to properly finish drywall in a corner shower will also guarantee a even surface which will make installation of the stall easier. Follow these steps to finishing the drywall in a corner shower.

Step 1: Prepare the Drywall Tape

Use a sharp utility knife and a straight edge to squarely cut the tape to the length required for the corners. (By this time you should have filled in the holes on the flat surfaces of the drywall and sanded those down so all that's required is to finish off the corners.) Cut the length of the paper a little longer than what's needed. Carefully fold the entire piece in half to create a crisp center crease. Try not to wrinkle the paper more than necessary. Lay the paper to the side.

Step 2: Apply Mud to the Corner

Partially fill a mud pan with ready-mixed joint compound. Don't use the setting-type joint compound because it'll harden too fast for this job. Collect some of the mud on the rim of the pan. Use the joint knife to take some of the mud from the rim and thickly apply the compound along the length of the corner on both walls. Try to apply as evenly as possible.

Step 3: Set the Tape

Grab the drywall tape with one hand at the top and one hand in the middle of the paper. Position the drywall tape into the corner beginning at the top and gently moving to the bottom. It's important to make sure the crease you've made perfectly fits into the corner when finishing drywall for a corner shower because even slightly rounded corners will make it difficult to fit the stall flush against the wall. Press the paper to the compound with firm, even pressure.

Step 4: Skim the Mud

Hold the joint knife at a 30-degree angle. With firm, even pressure press down along the compound beginning at the top and moving to the bottom. This will remove any extra mud. If too much mud collects on the blade, scrape the knife in the mud pan to remove the compound. Skim again using the same steps but press slightly harder the second time around. It's important to remove all the extra mud from underneath the tape so it doesn't pop off over time, but you need to be careful not to press too hard or you'll tear the paper.

Step 5: Apply the Final Coats of Mud

Allow the first coat to dry for several hours. Apply a second coat of mud and skim. Wait a couple hours more and apply and skim the final coat of compound. Once completely dry, use some mud on your finger to smooth out the crease. Allow to dry. Sand the corner. Apply water resistant primer to finish the drywall in a corner shower before installing the stall.