Can I Caulk Drywall Corners Instead of Mud? [Solved]

Do you have a cheap budget or not enough time to fix the drywall corners? So you are thinking, “can I caulk drywall corners instead of mud?”

Mud is the best practice for applying drywall corners. However, you can caulk the drywall corner, but caulk can not compare with mud projects. Caulk is a cheaper and fast method. But it has many bad side effects.

In this article, I will describe everything about caulk drywall. Let’s jump in.

Is it OK to caulk drywall?

Caulking on drywall is not recommended but also not prohibited. Caulk’s big problem is cracking, and it happens in dry weather. To protect from cracking, use a flexible caulk [ad].

Mud and tape projects also can be cracked. So there is no 100% guarantee for drywall corners that do not crack.

Use a good caulk on drywall, dry properly, then paint on it. But again, I say, quality drywall project caulk should not apply.

Caulk on drywall corner: Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Faster solution
2. Cheaper cost
3. Anyone can apply, beginner-friendly
4. Dry fast

Cons

1. Impossible to sand
2. Higher chance of crack
3. Fixing mistakes is not easy 
4. After apply not to look premium 
5. Majority time not long-lasting
6. Hard to fix caulked peeling surface 

Is it common to caulk drywall corners instead of mud and tape?

Caulk drywall corners instead of mud and tape are not common because caulk is not a good permanent solution.

Just imagine caulk surface can not be sand, it can hurt drywall, and corners can not be smooth as mud.

Caulk is only used for low-budget projects, and it is not common.

Can I caulk the inside corners on a small job?

For small inside corners job, caulking is recommended. You can fix any small issue at a low cost with caulk. You do not need any special skills to do this.

Although the finishing will not be professional as tape and mud. However, tapping needs some experience, and the cost will be a little bit high.

For the taping guide, you can check this article.

Do painters caulk corners?

Professional painters know what they are doing. They apply caulk if their project needs it. For example, there can be caulk in low-traffic areas, low-value areas, or very cheap projects. On the other hand, quality drywall projects, the highest traffic areas, important areas, or others should not apply the caulk. 

So everything depends on the painters. However, many of them do not like caulking.

Can you caulk where the drywall meets the ceiling

You can caulk where the drywall meets the ceiling. But it can look creepy, and the caulking surface will not be properly smooth. Don’t use too much caulk. After dry caulk, first apply ceiling paint, then the second hit with wall paint. No need to apply tape.

Can I use caulk to fill gaps in drywall?

Filling a maximum ¼-inch gap with drywall mud and tape is the right option. You can use caulk to fix small gaps between the drywall. But for big projects, many pro painters do not recommend caulking. You can not sand and not be able to fix past mistakes after caulking.

How you can fill a big drywall gap, I explain in this article.

Can I caulk then mud on it?

If you want caulking and then mudding, there is no need to use caulk. Go directly mudding. If you already used caulk and it dried, do not worry. Paint on it.

Should I caulk wall corners before painting?

If you want to caulk wall corners, you should caulk before painting. After applying caulk, use your finger to make it smooth. And clean the edge of the caulk. After drying it, apply paint.

Conclusion

You can caulk drywall corners, but it can not be compared with mudding. However, a small crack caulk is a good option for short projects.

I hope you got your answer. If you think this article is helpful, share it with your friends and family.