Stick the Backing Paper to the Back of the Roll and Joist Tape Lays Out Like Normal Tape

The Problem

Joist tape — and any butyl tape with a release liner — fights you on the roll. The backing paper doesn't want to separate where you want it to, comes loose where you don't, and within three joists you're managing a growing streamer of sticky-backed paper flapping in the wind instead of laying tape.

The Technique

1. Unroll a short lead of tape and separate the backing from it.
2. Bring the backing around the roll so its non-sticky face lies against the non-sticky back of the tape — backing-back to tape-back — and let it ride there.
3. Stick the exposed lead of tape down on the joist and press it in for a good grab.
4. Now pull the roll away along the joist. As the tape pays out, the backing paper continuously peels itself off and stays wrapped around the roll — you're laying bare tape in one motion, like a roll that never had a liner.
5. Run the length, cut the end off, done.