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Repairing Drywall Seam
How
to Repair Drywall Seams
By Mark J. Donovan
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Question: Mark, I am finishing
a back room in my home and I found your website via YouTube (www.youtube.com/HomeAdditionPlus)
on how to tape and float drywall. Your video on how to repair drywall holes was
very helpful too. Thanks for the help. However, I still have one problem. One of
the walls in my back room was already finished when we moved in. It was already
painted and molding installed. The problem is that I can still see the drywall
seams through the paint. Do you have any advice or information on your site as
to how to repair a drywall seam. Thanks for any advice that you can provide.
(JS)
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Answer: JS, Cracks in drywall
seams is a common problem that can easily be corrected, but admittedly with some
work and mess required. Drywall seams can crack for a number of reasons. Drywall
seams can crack because there was insufficient joint compound used when
originally taping and mudding the seams, or if insufficient drywall nails or
screws were used when installing the drywall. Also, just from the home naturally
settling cracks can form.
One of the major advantages of drywall and joint compound is that with a little
patience and practice you can usually achieve good results repairing drywall
seams.
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Repairing Drywall
Seams
First, drywall is purposely
manufactured so that there is about a 32nd of an inch depression on the long
sides of it. This depression is to allow space for the tape and joint compound
when taping and mudding the horizontal seams, which normally are the most
potentially visible seams.
If the taping and mudding are done properly the seams should flare out about 5
to 6 inches on either side of the actual joint seams between two adjacent
drywall panels, for a total seam width of about 10 to 12 inches.
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The slight 32nd of an inch
depression, in the process, should be filled in with the tape and joint compound
to achieve an overall flush finish with the rest of the drywall panel.
To repair drywall seams and to resolve your problem, rough up the joint area
with 100 grit sandpaper so that you can create a good bonding surface for
applying additional joint compound. Use a rag to dust off the seam.
Next, use a 10" wide trowel and apply
a couple of coats of joint compound over the drywall seam, applying a slightly
heavier amount at the midpoint of the seam and flaring out at the edges. Allow
the joint compound to thoroughly dry between applications of joint compound.
When applying the final coat of joint compound, known as the skim coat layer,
flare out the seams so that they are approximately 10-12 inches wide.
After applying a couple of coats of joint compound to the drywall seams, sand
the edges smooth with drywall sanding screen or sandpaper so that they blend in
with the surrounding drywall surfaces. Wipe the dust off the wall and then apply
a primer and paint.
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Repairing Failing
Drywall Taped Seam
If the tape is literally peeling away
from the drywall seam, then slice down the middle of the taped seam with a
utility knife and rip the tape off the wall. Then rough up the surface with
sandpaper. Next apply a thin coat of joint compound over the seam and then imbed
new drywall tape into the mud. Apply a thin layer of joint compound over the
tape and allow it to fully dry. Use a 6” wide drywall taping knife to do this
step. Alternatively you can use mesh tape. Mesh tape has a sticky surface so you
can affix it directly to the seam without needing to first apply a thin layer of
joint compound.
Apply two additional coats of joint compound over the newly taped drywall seam,
flaring out the seam a little wider with each new application. Use a 10” wide
drywall knife for applying these two coats and again make sure you allow the
joint compound to fully dry in between applications.
After the third application of joint compound has thoroughly dried, use drywall
sanding screen or sandpaper to flare out and blend the edges into the drywall
panels. Again, wipe the dust off the wall and then apply a primer and paint.
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 Seams From Amazon.com
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