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When you are learning how to tape and mud drywall, waiting for things to dry requires a lot of patience. So how long does drywall mud take to dry? On average, it takes about 24 hours. However, it depends on things like the thickness of the mud, as well as the room’s temperature, humidity, and ventilation. Using thin layers of mud in a warm, low-humidity room with good airflow reduces average drying time. You also could speed up drying time by making use of hot drywall mud, which consists of a powder that you mix with water, instead of using pre-mixed mud. 

Although they have similar applications, spackle and joint compound are not the same. Their primary differences lie in their composition, consistency, and ideal use cases.

Spackle is composed of gypsum and binding agents, making it thicker than joint compound. It dries quickly and is easy to sand, which makes it ideal for small wall repair projects like filling nail holes or patching minor damage.

Joint compound, also known as drywall mud, consists of limestone and gypsum. It is primarily used for large-scale projects, such as taping and finishing the seams on newly installed drywall. It tends to shrink more than spackle and can be more difficult to spread.

While both products can be used to fill small depressions and cracks, spackle cannot replace joint compound for taping and mudding new drywall. Conversely, you can often use joint compound for small patching jobs typically done with spackle.

A nail in drywall cannot hold very much—usually only a few pounds. A nail in a stud can add support and hold around 20 pounds. If you are trying to hang something heavier, get some help from drywall anchors—toggle bolts are very strong and able to withstand more weight.

You should leave a gap between drywall sheets because they naturally expand and contract along with the building framing as temperature and humidity change. Most pro drywall installers leave a gap of about ⅛ inch between drywall sheets, allowing the sheets to expand, contract, and shift without cracking or becoming damaged. If you don’t leave enough gaps between slabs, the edges will press against each other when they expand, and the pressure can cause visible cracks.