Joint compound additive for reduction of cracking, cratering and shrinkage

A composition comprising:

• a joint compound comprising a latex binder, a filler, a preservative and a thickener, said filler comprising calcium carbonate or calcium sulfate, wherein said filler and said binder are present in a ratio of from about 100:1 to about 10:1;
• water;
• and,
• a surfactant additive consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon substituted sulfonate, wherein said hydrocarbon comprises an alicyclic or an aromatic group, having from 12 to 24 carbon atoms.

A ready-mix joint compound obtained by the steps of:

• grouping joint compound ingredients into wet components and dry components, said joint compound ingredients comprising a binder, a filler, a preservative, water and a surfactant additive, said surfactant additive comprising a hydrocarbon substituted sulfate, sulfonate, sulfuric acid or sulfonic acid, wherein said hydrocarbon is an aliphatic, olefinic, alicyclic or aromatic group, or combinations thereof, having from 12 to 24 carbon atoms, wherein said binder comprises latex, and wherein said filler and said binder are present in a ratio of from about 100:1 to about 10:1;
• mixing said dry components together;
• mixing said liquid components together;
• and
• mixing said dry components and said liquid components to form a homogeneous mixture.