I'm repairing a wall under and up around a window. It's pretty cold here these days. I put a second coat of joint compound on yesterday and noticed that it took quite a while to dry, especially the closer to the window you get. The package makes no mention of temperature range for application. Are there any overall guidelines for this? It's regular joint compound, not liteweight.

I bought a house that was built in the 50's. it is a great looking house and it is my wife and I's first house. One problem is the walls. mainly the upstairs walls. Whoever did this to the house wasnt thinking, or was in a hurry. My guess is that the walls were plaster and after 50 or so years they began cracking and falling apart. Well instead of fixing it, the owner at that time put up some kind of panelling and then texture painted over those. We they didnt secure the boards very well and more of the plaster is falling. You can push on the walls and move the pannelling in and out. The cracks also show, it is jsut awful looking. What can i do to help this. is it going to take, taking all the walls down and re plastering or putting up drywall? I am newly married and dont have much money. I would hope to do it myself. please help. Has anyone seen this before? thanks in advance