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How to
Repair Drywall Cracks
Step by Step Instructions on Repairing Drywall Cracks
By Mark J. Donovan
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Repairing drywall cracks is easy to
do. To repair drywall cracks you will need a 6” taping knife, a 10” taping
knife, a utility knife, and some joint compound and drywall tape.
Drywall cracks can occur for several reasons. Sometimes drywall cracks form due
to improper taping and mudding. Other times they form due to an insufficient
amount of drywall nails and screws being used when hanging the drywall. Other
times drywall cracks form simply due to the house settling.
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Depending upon how bad the drywall
cracks are, there are two methods of drywall repair. If the drywall tape is
literally cracking and pealing then a more extensive effort is required. If you
simply see some hairline cracks then the drywall repair job is a little easier.
Minor Crack
Drywall Repair
To repair small hairline cracks or
bulges in the drywall, rough up the crack area with 100 grit sandpaper to create
a textured surface. This will provide a good bonding surface for applying
additional joint compound.
After roughing up the surface use a rag to dust off the crack or seam.
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Next, use your 10" wide drywall knife
and apply a coat of joint compound over the drywall crack or seam. Make sure to
apply a slightly heavier amount at the midpoint of the crack or seam and flare
the joint compound out at the edges. Allow the coat of joint compound to full
dry.
After the first coat has fully dried, apply a second skim coat layer of joint
compound over the seam and flare it out even further to approximately 10-12
inches in width.
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After the second coat has fully
dried, sand the edges smooth with drywall sanding screen or sandpaper to blend
the seams into the surrounding drywall surfaces. Wipe the dust off the wall
using a rag and then vacuum the area.
Finally apply a coat of primer, and then paint the walls.
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Repair Drywall
with Failing Tape
To repair drywall with failing taped
seams it is best to simply peel the drywall tape from the seam. To do this, use
a utility knife to score the edges of the drywall tape just beyond the length of
the bad tape.
Next, slice down the middle of the taped seam with the utility knife and then
peel the tape off the wall.
After removing the drywall tape, use sand paper to rough up the surface area.
Next, using a 6” drywall taping knife, apply a thin coat of joint compound over
the seam and then imbed new drywall tape into the mud. After imbedding the tape
into the joint compound apply a thin layer of joint compound over the tape and
allow it to fully dry.
As an alternative to the paper drywall tape you can use fiberglass mesh tape.
Fiberglass mesh tape has a sticky surface so you can place it directly over the
drywall crack or seam without needing to first apply a thin layer of joint
compound.
Once the first coat of joint compound has dried, use your 6 inch taping knife to
knock off any high spots on the first coat of joint compound.
Next, use a 10 inch drywall knife and apply a second coat over the first layer.
Make sure to flare out the seams to approximately 6 inches wide.
After the second coat has thoroughly dried, apply a final skim coat layer using
the 10 inch drywall knife. Again, flare out the seams a little more, to
approximately 10-12 inches in width
Once the skim coat layer has dried gently sand the crack or seam using drywall
sanding screen to blend in the edges into the surrounding drywall area. Do not
over sand the seam and be extra careful over the actual drywall tape.
Wipe down the wall and vacuum up the dust and apply a coat of primer over the
repaired drywall crack or seam.
Finally paint the area and you have completed the drywall repair.
How to Repair a Large Drywall Hole Ebook
- If you have a large hole in your drywall and need to repair it,
you can
either call in a drywall contractor and pay an arm and a leg, or you can fix
it yourself. The "How
to Repair a Large Drywall Hole Ebook" will show you how to
repair your damaged wall so that it looks as good as new.
See HomeAdditionPlus.com's
Drywall Calculator
For more help on new home construction, see
HomeAdditionPlus.com’s
Home Construction Contractor Bid Sheets.
Home
Construction Contractor Bid Sheets
will
help ensure that you find and hire the right home building contractor
for your next home improvement, remodeling, or building project. In addition,
they will help to ensure that your home improvement project is completed on time and on budget.
Additional Drywall Resources from Amazon.com
Tools for Repairing Drywall Cracks From Amazon.com
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