• Spread sealing compound between boards or panels or over cracks, holes, nail heads, or screw heads, using trowels, broadknives, or spatulas.
• Press paper tape over joints to embed tape into sealing compound and to seal joints.
• Apply additional coats to fill in holes and make surfaces smooth.
• Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surfaces for painting or papering.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Tapers apply additional coats to fill in holes and make surfaces smooth. They select the correct sealing compound or tape.

A typical day for a Taper will also include:

• Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surfaces for painting or papering.
• Spread sealing compound between boards or panels or over cracks, holes, nail heads, or screw heads, using trowels, broadknives, or spatulas.
• Spread and smooth cementing material over tape, using trowels or floating machines to blend joints with wall surfaces.
• Mix sealing compounds by hand or with portable electric mixers.
• Use mechanical applicators that spread compounds and embed tape in one operation.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Tapers also countersink nails or screws below surfaces of walls before applying sealing compounds, using hammers or screwdrivers. They may also install metal molding at wall corners to secure wallboard.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Tapers sand rough spots of dried cement between applications of compounds. They might also sand or patch nicks or cracks in plasterboard or wallboard.

In addition, they apply texturizing compounds or primers to walls or ceilings before final finishing, using trowels, brushes, rollers, or spray guns.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them use mechanical applicators that spread compounds and embed tape in one operation.

To some Tapers, it is also their responsibility to work on high ceilings using scaffolding or other tools, such as stilts.