Repairing Drywall Seams
Drywall seams will crack or separate for different reasons. A damaged foundation can cause it, as well as improper drywall finishing during construction. It could be that the sheetrock hanger didn't use enough screws or nails. If you have a foundation problem you should fix that before spending time on your drywall. A foundation issue is serious; it will cause your windows and doors to bind up and can cause roof problems. This article will show how to go about repairing drywall seams.
When drywall is screwed or nailed to the studs, it makes for a seam every 4 feet horizontally or vertically and every 8, 10 or 12 feet in the other direction. There is also a seam in each inside corner. This makes for a lot of drywall seams and a possibility for a lot of cracking. Not to worry though, patching seams up is simple.
Drywall Tools and Materials You will Need
To patch drywall seams you'll need a few tools. As a minimum for tools, you'll need a taping knife, utility knife, scraper, mud pan, and possibly a ladder if your problem seam is high. You'll also need to do some sanding. It's best to use a sanding pole with sanding screens, however for fixes like this you can use regular sandpaper.
You'll also need mud (drywall compound). Get the kind that is premixed in plastic buckets. Drywall tape is your final ingredient. Use the type that's a mesh with adhesive backing. It’s easier to work with than th paper tape because of the adhesive.
Preparing the Drywall
Use the scraper to remove the texture around the seam. Starting from the seam's center go 4 inches in either direction. Scrape the cracks length and a couple of inches extra. Now, use the utility knife to cut the bad tape out where the drywall seam is damaged.
Now put some mud in your pan from the bucket. It's easier to work if its thinned out a tiny bit. Put just a small amount of water in the mud and mix it with the taping knife.
Repair the Drywall Seam
Cut a length of tape from the roll that fits the spot that is prepped (span the seam). The adhesive will keep it in place. Scoop a little bit of mud on the taping knife. Spread it onto the tape. Proceed until it's worked into the entire length of tape. You're not completely filling the void with this step. This is “taping.” “Floating” will come later. Now you're adhering the tape to the joint.
Now clean the taping knife and mud pan using water while your joint dries.
When the joint is dry, sand all dried mud ridges. Now float it by spreading on sufficient mud to spread over the taped spot and leave the repair flush and level with the surrounding wall. Leave it to dry and give it a look. If it is not right, repeat. Although hanging Sheetrock is straightforward and methodical, drywall finishing is an art.
Texture and Paint
When you’ve got it just right, match your wall texture. Use your mud for this. Be creative; try different methods until it looks right. Dabbing the wall using a paint brush is one method. Let it dry, then sand it lightly. Experiment. Finish up by painting the drywall. You're done!
Kelly Smith - Kelly has over 30 years experience as a journeyman carpenter and 20 as a freelance writer and photographer.
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