During the winter, every state in the continental U.S. and Canada will experience at least one night of below freezing temperature. Even warm-weather states like Florida encounter a few nights where temperatures become sufficiently low to create frost or to freeze external water sources.
Cold and damp weather conditions can have negative effects on freshly applied joint treatment and gypsum board, such as joint compound bond, delayed shrinkage, beading, nail popping, and board sag; all of which can affect the overall appearance of the system. Although extreme environmental conditions have little effect on the process of applying gypsum board, special procedures or precautions should be observed during the application and drying of joint treatments and adhesives. When weather conditions are cold and wet, the drying times of joint treatment materials are affected. Cold temperatures slow drying and increase the risk of freezing; wet weather also delays drying.