Steer clear or fix some of the common drywall problems and fails with this handy guide.
Gaps Between Drywall Sheets
Most gaps between drywall sheets can be taped and mudded over like usual.
But gaps of up to 1/2-inch between drywall sheets are significant.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Taped-over gaps with voids behind them are not structurally strong enough to last.
Bubbles and warps can develop, plus sharp objects will easily piece the tape.
How to Fix Gaps Between Drywall Sheets
Whenever possible, shift the sheets closer together.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
When the gap is between the wall and the ceiling, this is the best solution.
The wall-to-floor junction can tolerate more of a gap since it will be covered up with baseboards.
Scoop the drywall compound off of the hawk or pan with a 12-inch drywall knife.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Hold the knife sideways to push the compound into the gap.
Progressively work along the gap until it is completely filled.
Then, mud and tape over as usual.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Sometimes, the drywall does not horizontally reach a stud.
Less often, drywall does not vertically reach a solid attachment point.
It can then be nailed horizontally on each side to fit within the bay.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Many homeowners end up retaping seams because they’ve been too aggressive in their sanding.
This will highlight any rises or bumps.
For fuzzy or oversanded drywall, apply a thin skim coat of drywall compound with a wide drywall knife.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
How to Fix Deep Drywall Screws
Drive the screw headexactly to the surface of the paper cover.
Give it just a quarter-turn or half-turn extra to push it just a bit below the surface.
Special drill attachments are available, and these regulate the depth of the screw.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Professionals are good at making the correct measurements; they do this every day.
What about for the do-it-yourselfer?
This is not the best solution, but it will work if you have no other options available.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Mark the location of the receptacle with a square of painter’s tape on the floor.
Then, roll out the drywall.
Only after it has been installed do you cut a hole.
The third method is best, but it does involve purchasing a special tool called a Blindmark.
A magnetic insert goes into the receptacle, and then drywall is installed.
With another magnetic piecewhich happens to be the same size as a receptacle faceyou locate the insert.
Draw an outline around the second magnetic piece with a pencil and cut around the outline.
Perfect holes usually result.
Not only that, but you have to allow for the expansion and contraction of the underlying framing members.
Natural seasonal expansion of the wood framing can crack drywall joints that are too tight.
How to Fix Tight Drywall Joints
Unfortunately, there is no retroactive fix.
However, during installation, be diligent about keeping that 1/8 inch space between sheets by using a guide.
The blade of a drywall square is about 1/8-inch-thick and does the trick.
Thin strips of wood can also be used as spacing guides.
The temptation is to just lay down thetape and mud itover and hope for the best.
But this ad hoc fix rarely works.
In a matter of months, such joints will fail andcreate visible cracks.
How to Fix Failed Drywall Joints
Avoid hanging joints wherever you’re free to.
Also, the longer the hanging joint, is, the more likely it is to fail.
