This tip exemplifies a big part of what Green remodeling and building is about, using materials and tools in a thoughtful manner to reduce waste. Great tip.

Bob, I've been a DIYer for many years now and truly enjoy your videos as much (actually more) as anyones with one big Kudos to you. You go so far as to explain the what if's, tricks, and details of the small things. One example is your video of explaining why the tip of a tape measure slides to compensate for that 1/16 inch in measurement. It's the little things that mean as much as the big. You always deliver a fantastic message. Video whats reasonable for gaps between joints when rockin.

I am so glad u posted this, so many people just don't do this and waste so much money in the long run! excellent post.

This tip works like a charm. I just went thru 4 pails of compound and used this method at the end of every day...zero dried bits of compound falling into the good compounded. The top layer does get a bit soupy when it sits for a couple of days with the water barrier on top. Drain well and then stir up the compound. Great tip, thanks.

I have only done a few DIY projects, and always tried to just get as much as I needed. Nothing more nothing less. So I never experienced a problem with dried mud or anything. My point is, this is very useful advice. I will definitely remember this.

Dear Bob, Thank you for taking the time to make this video. This is quite possibly the best dry wall tip I've ever seen or heard. I have always made a point to turn down the mud in my bucket, wipe the sides and lid, but I could never completely prevent those pesky dry spots from occurring. Not only will this save me time and aggravation, but it will also save me money. As an avid DIY'er I greatly appreciate this tip. Sincerely, Mike

There's a reason this vid got 179K+ views: This is a GREAT TIP even the vets never thought of.

Great Advice Bob! I have been remodeling for alotta' years, and NEVER thought about these tips! U da' bomb Bob! (tee he hee). Thanks for taking the time to make vids. You help even us old guys!

Good advice, Bob. I'm going to try it out on Monday when I get back to work. Peace, from a pastor in Chicago renovating an old pool hall that was in the movie "The Color of Money" that we now use for our church, Living Hope.

Good tip Bob, I try to keep my bucket of mud clean on the sides all the time, while using and after done for day . like your web site and your videos very much. thanks for posting

Thanks, Bob. It's little, overlooked, things like this that save a lot of headaches (and money) down the road. Great vid.

Thanks so much! I've been fighting the crumbs and curds that make mudding even more of a pain in the ass! Your knowlegde is much appreciated!!

Wow, the cleanest carpenter ever, lol love this tip

Bob, that was a great tip. Wish I saw it much earlier, I have thrown away so many used buckets due to the crumbles.....

Good 3 minute tip. Will save you a lot of headaches for future jobs. If you get those crusty crumbs into the mud, and you try to put on with a knife, you're picking them out and have a horrible finish. Wish I had invented this trick, but glad Bob shared it.

Thanks Bob, this is "Great" information. Saves a lot of headaches.

this is the "thinking man's" remodeler!! awesome tip!!

good tip ...I am always too busy for these things so my drywall finish has many grooves in it..From now on though ,I will do what bob suggests...thanks Bob

Great tip Bob! I ran across this video several years ago and have been using your advise ever since! It has been working really well for me! I subbed your channel this time! (and hit the like button!). Have a Super Blessed Week!!!....Gus

another nice tip thanks bob please keep them coming.

Nice tips, I clean mine as best I can, then I place four plastic grocery bags to cover the top. I have been using the same tub since 2002 until now 2014 soon to be 2015. Still works as fresh as day one.

That's what we do too, Bob. Except we use a sponge to wipe off the bucket, but your method looks good, too!

I've always put plastic over the mud inside the bucket. I never thought of putting water in it. GREAT IDEA!!!!!

After listening to you guys apparently alot of people do it that way Thanks+++Bob

Nice vid & information Bob, thanks for sharing

Thanks again Bob for these very helpful tips>

@HomeRemodelWorkshop another tip..put a little dish soap in the water..it will help keep mold from growing..and when mixed with the mud, makes it a little easier to work with

Very nice tips good job Bob

Anyone that does'nt use their compound quickly enough has experienced this exact thing.The best advice is to try to get as close to the amount you plan to use as possible. If you have a significant amount of compound left,and no plans to use it again for months, then offering it to friends,family,and neighbors who could make use of it would be a consideration+++Bob "Waste not Want not"

You can teach this old dog a new trick! Good solid advice. Thanks.

Great Tips Bob !

Great Tip and a really cool video!

THAT IS AN AWESOME TIP - i wish ppl out there gave more like it - A+++++

Awesome, thanks. Keep up the good work.

Makes sense,I will definitely give this a try+++Bob

really liked the video! I need to quit wasting mud!...usually I just toss it when I have this problem.....thanks for saving me some money my friend!!!

Yep, I do this too, except I use a damp sponge instead of a brush there. If you already have little specs or dried out chunks on the sides of your bucket at the end, the sponge will catch em, instead of messing around with a brush. A brush might be good for initially cleaning the lid really good. I remember first time I was hanging sheetrock, and at the end of the day, the boss came over, and royally chewed my ass for not cleaning up the bucket, and lid, lol. The habit stuck with me ever since.

Wow what a smart tip. Thanks man!

Hi Bob, Great tip you have saved me $ and made my DIY work much easier. Many Thanks. I hope someone helps you out some day also. God Bless; Leo

Pretty g0od advice for beginners as myself, thanks for your knewledge on the matter.

actually Bob, you can combine this with my method which is only differs from the pouring water... I flatten the top then I put a circular cutout of thin plastic (from a garbage bag for example) over top the flattened surface, gently getting the air out. Works Excellent and no water to dump the next day.

Great tips! Thanks.

excellent tip THANKS!!

Nice video, great idea. Go Bobcats!

@Chilll07 Bob - we're "rookies" redoing our sons room. Your tip saved us alot of headache & money! Thanks for sharing!

great advise, Thank you . I am going to use your system ...

Thanks for the tip!

thanks Sir its really nice advice and keeps away form problems

Is that OU shirt? GO BOBCATS!!!! Thanks for the carpet cleaner tips...

Thanks. Great tip.

I have used the same method of covering it with a thin surface plastic for years. It can keep mud fresh for months

EXCELLENT TIP THANKXXXXX

Excellent point!!

very good video,thanks for the tip,il use it,ken

Sounds reasonable to me, thanks for sharing! +++Bob

I usally use a sponge, but the brush is good, maybe better. I have been in construction since 1986. I have also invented some things, had most of them stolen from me, I still have a few on the drawing board. Take care, Jim

Sweet tip cheers

@alowhit i'm a taper with 29 years experience and i've never used a hawk, OR a pan for that matter. every taper has their own system

Thanks Good suggestion.

good advice

@DJdrummins Glad to hear that! In this economy no-one can afford to waste money. Thanks for watching +++Bob

wow Thanks for the Info!!!

very helpful!

@wallsleee In the 15 years of hanging drywall we never allowed any gap. Not sure what the gypsom handbook has to say about that but I cannot remember a time we had any more problems than normally happens with home settlement and stress cracks. That being said if I were hanging drywall in my own home(And I have) I would keep sheetrock tight+++Bob

So true. Happens with paint too.

Thank you.

thanks for your comment - I was wondering if a little saran wrap over the top would be easier than the scraping and water; guess not though, hey?

thk for the good tip

nice idea

Awzum tip! Thanks

@dans0607 You are very welcome, Even if this seems like common knowledge to some until someone gives you the heads up! Thanks for watching! +++Bob

Great tip. I h8 crumbleys in the mud.

Great idea. The guy's right.

@shouldibehere A brand new bucket of mud can sit on the self for a long long time and never have this happen. But once you mix water into the compound you have only a short amount of time before it will start to go bad. One thing you can do is if you have an empty bucket with a lid, seperate as much of the compound as you intend to use. Place the lid tightly back on the bucket of compound you dont intend to use and you can store it for a long time.

@DustyDaveRocks i simply scoop the mud right out of the bucket with my putty knife and place it on my trowel as i go. a hawk will leave you with only one hand to work with. but really, it's how you've been trained or whatever you're used to because speed is the name of the game

@cwaj Sometimes it is the small things that make the difference! Thanks for watching! +++Bob

I do my best to only purchase as much compound as I need,do not usually have to store for that long ,have gone 4-6 weeks with no adverse effects. That being said if I open compound and smell any vinegar like smell I discard unused compound and purchase new+++Bob p.s there is a viewer who claims with wipe down and covering tightly with thin plastic he said it would keep for months.

If you were not going to use the mud for say 1-2 months would you still leave that much water on top?

Hi seacoastauto, Thanks for the nice words. We are planning to remake some of our videos in a new HD format. Trying to stay up to date. Can you make any suggestions to improve this video or any other that you have seen, that would help make a better final product for future viewers. Thanks in advance, Bob-HomeRemodelWorkshop

thanks, I thought it was common sense to do these things, and remembered alot of people don't take the time to do these things.

@w4rm4ch1n31770 Luckily, I have been exposed to many nasties on jobs in my life from raccoon nests to mold and old material inhalation to one degree or another and,knock on wood,have not gotten seriously ill due to it. Glad to hear you recovered sure it could have been much worse+++Bob

Hi lookreadlearn, Thanks for the nice words. We are planning to remake some of our videos in a new HD format. Trying to stay up to date. Can you make any suggestions to improve this video or any other that you have seen, that would help make a better final product for future viewers. Thanks in advance, Bob-HomeRemodelWorkshop

@MrJoemono Good advise, or at least rinse it generously with a hose! Thanks +++Bob

Amen!

I've been doing this for years, but I take a damp sponge to clean the sides and then I wash off the lid and leave it alone. No more water. If you pour water on top, you risk mold. Just clean it up and keep the lid extra tight. Just my opinion.

Has anyone ever opened a partially used bucket of ready mix compound and seen mold or mildew on the surface of the mud? How do you keep that from happening?

He said THANKS.

@gcdcjccc.... I have to ask, as I am a taper, if you have never used a hawk or a pan in 29 years.... what do you use? I have sat here and thought about it and cannot figure out your secret....

Read the user comments.a really good tip there also+++Bob

@kevale222 Always did like the Scotts--- GO HIGHLANDERS! +++Bob

Who was it that said "always leave them wanting more" ?+++Bob lol

I don't use water... I just cut a round piece of plastic and push it down to mud level. Makes a nice seal.

@shouldibehere put a cup of white vinegar on top and close

thanks.. thats why my mud is only good for 1 day.. its ful of crums..

@Chilll07 Thanks now chill! LOL +++Bob

Go Bobcats ! OU!

thanx again bob, u got a ohio shirt on...?

Buckets must be cheaper than boxes, I never have a problem with box mud.

Agreed, almost common sense but still a great tip nonetheless!

im nosey on the mold thing a am alergic to mold it just be easyer to toss the bucket in the job stte dumster and get a fresh bucket then risk getting sick and looseing work over it the company suplys the mud annway