Drywall Repair

Creeping Cracks

Step 1

You will see vertical drywall cracks above and below your doors and windows. These cracks can be caused by shrinkage of lumber and settling within the house frame. Use a sanding sponge or sandpaper to smoothen the cracks. To remove any dust or debris, vacuum the crack.

Step 2

Next, use a narrow knife to apply a thin layer of joint compound to the crack. Let it dry before sanding it. Apply a second thin layer.

Step 3

Spray the repair with a thin layer of elastic crack cover-up such as Good-Bye cracks to prevent the gap from reappearing.

Nails That Go Pop

Step 1

Lumber shrinkage can also cause nail and screw pops. To repair a popped nail or screw, first, twist the tip of a utility blade into the wall to remove the joint compound.

Step 2

Use your screwdriver to tighten it, pushing it down below the surface. To tap in the nail more profound, you can use a hammer or a nail set to pop it. You can pull it out with pliers if it doesn’t feel like the pin is hitting solid wood.

Step 3

Use a drywall knife and apply three thin coats of lightweight joint compound to the repaired area. After sanding, prime and paint.

Ceilings with textured surfaces

Step 1

Although water damage can stain drywall ceilings, in extreme cases, the drywall may sag from the joists. This can be a complicated repair for a ceiling with a texture. To remove any surface or smoothen the area, use a hand-sanding tool equipped with a screen.

Step 2

Next, press the drywall against the joist and secure it along its seam with drywall nails.

Step 3

Water stains can often bleed through standard primer. Apply a primer specifically designed to block the most stubborn stains.

Step 4

Use a thick-nap roll to blend the repair area with the surrounding texture ceiling. Apply a thick mixture, thinned with water, of drywall compound.

Step 5

Apply texture to the ceiling using a short-handled brush before the thinned compound drys. You can conceal popcorn texture on ceilings with a spray bottle if they have popcorn texture.

Loose inside-Corner Tape

Step 1

The seams between sheets of drywall are covered with paper drywall tape. There are also thin layers of joint compounds. Sometimes, the paper tape can pull away and tear, especially in bathrooms frequently exposed to moist, hot air. This problem is often found in the corners of walls.

Although it may seem tempting to glue the tape down, it is best to use a utility knife to remove and replace it with a piece of tape. Apply a thin layer of drywall compound to each corner after removing the tape.

Step 2

Next, cut a piece of paper tape to the desired length. Fold it along its center fold and press it into the wet joint compound.

Step 3

You can apply the tape to the compound with a 4-inch knife. However, an inside-corner knife is much more efficient. This particular tool smoothes both the outside and inside corners simultaneously.