Vent: That day last August when the mud went bad on me

I was finishing a ceiling in a bathroom remodel in Portland, and the all-purpose compound started bubbling up like crazy after the second coat. Turns out the bucket had been sitting in the back of my truck in 90 degree heat for two days, and it was basically ruined. Has anyone else had a batch of mud go sour on them like that, or am I just cursed with bad timing?

2 comments

2 Comments

torres.elizabeth23d ago

Wait, you had it in the back of your truck for two days in that heat? That's brutal, I can't believe it didn't turn into a science experiment sooner! Hot mud going bad is the worst, especially when you're already halfway through a job and have to start over.

laura_white9923d ago

Nah, I gotta push back on the 'science experiment' part. Two days in the back of a truck in heat is rough, but if the mud was unopened or sealed tight, it's usually fine. The real issue is if you already mixed it or left the bag cracked open. That's when the bacteria get in and turn it into a nightmare. The whole 'starting over halfway through a job' thing is definitely a bummer, but I've learned to just mix smaller batches on site. Keeps it fresh and you don't waste as much if you gotta stop. It's more prep work but less headache later. Hot mud is just finicky like that. If you left it sealed in a cool spot in the truck, I bet it would've been totally usable still. The heat alone won't ruin it, it's the moisture getting in that kills it.