Applying the joint compound to thedrywalloften can be accomplished quickly.

A skilled drywall worker can finish a wall in minutes: working time.

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

But total time is another matter.

Joint compound drying on blue dry wall

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

If the conditions are poor, it can take days.

How long does drywall mud take to dryand is there any way to speed up the drying process?

The 24-hour drying time recommendation can be applied to nearly all factors.

Filled-in screw holes and minor indentations can take about 2 hours to dry.

Skim coats dry quickly.

Any skim coat or the outer edges of feather coats will dry within 15 to 20 minutes.

For a better paint job, avoid pushing drywall mud times.

Instead, let the drywall mud completely cure.

This is the single best way to decrease drywall dry time.

Improve Your Drywall Hanging Skills

Poorly hung drywall requires more drywall mud to fix hanging problems.

To quicken drywall dry time, turn on the furnace or put space heaters in the room.

Remember that the humidity needs to escape, so open windows and doors.

For a small patch of wall, aim a hairdryer at the area.

Keep the hairdryer far away from the patch.

To prevent fires, avoid using a heating gun.

Dehumidify the Air

Set up adehumidifierto suck the moisture out of the room’s air.

Be sure to frequently check the dehumidifier’s water pan and dispose of the contents.

If it’s raining outside, terminate the windows.

Outside humidity may exceed indoor humidity created by evaporating drywall mud.

If it is not overly humid outside, open up the windows to circulate the air.

Hot mud is a powder that you mix with water.

It is formulated to set like plaster, so it dries in just 20 to 60 minutes.

you might choose from products that have a faster or slower drying time.

One downside is that the rapid dry time does not allow much time to fix errors.

Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for specific products.

When using hot mud, mix only enough to fill the mud pan once.

If you mix too much, you risk the mud drying before you use it all.