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Old timer told me to skip mesh tape on corners, now I got cracks everywhere

Was talking to this guy at the supply house last month, said he's been doing drywall since the 80s. He swore paper tape is all you need and mesh is a waste of money for inside corners. So I tried it on a bedroom job in Phoenix. Two weeks later, the corner where the hallway meets the living room has a hairline crack running down it. Shoulda stuck with mesh. Anyone else had old school advice backfire like this?
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sarahsullivan
... and that's why I always take old timer advice with a grain of salt now. @webb.val's got it right, mesh with hot mud is the way to go, especially in a dry place like Phoenix. I learned the hard way too, used paper tape on a corner in a remodel here and it was cracking within a month. Now I just nod and smile when the old guys start handing out their tips at the supply house.
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webb.val
webb.val23d ago
Used to be on team paper tape myself. Thought it was the only way that lasted. Then my brother in law showed me how he does corners with mesh and hot mud. Night and day difference. Paper tape never held up in the dry climate here. Now I only use mesh on corners and never looked back.
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