Tapers: Career & Application Guide

What do tapers do?

Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

Press paper tape over joints to embed tape into sealing compound and to seal joints.
Spread and smooth cementing material over tape, using trowels or floating machines to blend joints with wall surfaces.
Spread sealing compound between boards or panels or over cracks, holes, nail heads, or screw heads, using trowels, broadknives, or spatulas.
Work on high ceilings, using scaffolding or other tools, such as stilts.
Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surfaces for painting or papering.
Apply additional coats to fill in holes and make surfaces smooth.
Countersink nails or screws below surfaces of walls before applying sealing compounds, using hammers or screwdrivers.
Mix sealing compounds by hand or with portable electric mixers.
Sand or patch nicks or cracks in plasterboard or wallboard.
Select the correct sealing compound or tape.

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