How to Repair Walls and Ceilings Using Joint Compound in Cracks
63Using joint compound works much better than caulk.
In order to fix cracks in walls and ceilings that are drywalled, one must use tape and joint compound. Take a little joint compound and apply it over the cracks, making sure to get plenty on. Take the paper tape and stick it to the compound making sure to center it over the cracks. Using a drywall knife embed the tape into the compound. This causes the tape to stick. (Warning: Do not go over the joint so much after taping that you remove the compound from underneath it.)
Let it dry then go over it once again with a wider drywall knife. I usually use a 6 inch knife to tape then go to a 10 for the second coat. This the compound slightly for the first two coats.
After the second coat dries you are ready to apply a third coat. You will have to thin your compound even more for this step. This is what's called a skim coat. The compound must be the consistency of a heavy cream. Use a 12 inch knife for this step.
Helpful hints: Do not overwork the compound after applying it. It starts to dry when it touches the wall. Smooth it out quickly then let it alone.
Be sure and buy some sandpaper to sand the wall or ceiling.
Hiring a professional is always best, but it isn't so hard a project that most people can't handle it.
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Thank you so very much! I am going to trot over to the store very soon to look for these products. It sounds like the tape has no adhesive at all--is that right? Does it have a name?
Hi Maren. It should just be known as "drywall tape." No adhesive. About 2" wide and feels/looks like heavy paper. It should be found with the joint compound. After making the repairs, keep an eye on the area. If you're in a new house, it may be settling, in which you may be repeating the task in the future. Nice thing about this stuff is that should you mess it up the first try, scrape/wash it off and try again.
Very good advice Matt. Make sure also that you put the tape on right. There is a crease in the middle of it. The part that goes against the wall will have the outside of the crease on it.
Walls crack at stress points. If they cracked there once, it is likely they will again. If you're lucky it was due to some settling or shrinkage and wont reoccur. I would not use the paper tape however. Home Depot or Lowes will have a fiberglass mesh tape as well. Usually blue in color. You need not mud first. YOu scrape the wall at the crack and clean any debree or dust from the crack. Make it flat. Apply the tape and it has a wax coating that causes it to stay in place while you mud. Use Fix-all or a fast setting compound for the first coat and squish it into the crack to fully fill any voids. then smooth out over tape. Less is best. You need not cover tape completely. Next coat after first dries, will be all-purpose joint compound with 6 inch knife as stated earlier. After it dries overnight apply a third coat. You can still use 6 incher but overlap in middle of tape and feathered to nothing on edges. Sand it down until all edges are feathered to nothing and all lines are gone... just until you begin to see the blue through it. Use a sanding sponge of block until all lines and markes are gone. Touch up any remaining gouges or light spots as needed. Best of luck!!
I agree with Franklin !
I hope you can get the work done fast on the easy side of this!
Plaster/stucco/Drywall-Plastering services is always a hard work and call a Plasterers Company some times can save you time and $$$$
I TOTALY DISAGREE WITH THIS YOU NEVER NEVER NEVER USE PAPER TAPE TO REPAIR ANY DRYWALL DISTORTION , YOU ARE TELLING YOUR FOLLOWERS THE WRONG THINGS, AS AN EXPERT AT THIS IT IS COMMONLY KNOWN TO USE FIBERGLASS TAPE AND HOT MUD WHICH IS A POWDER MIX IT COMES IN 5,20,45,90, MIN SET VERSIONS AND IS 25% STRONGER THAN REGULAR JOINT COMPOUND WHEN APPLIED IT CAN GET AS HARD LIKE PLASTER OF PARIS.. 60% OF MY REPAIR CALLS FROM CUSTOMERS IS TO FIX THE PAPER TAPE SOMEONE ELSE USED TO DO A REPAIRIT FALLS APART WITH TO MUCH HUMIDITY,IT BUBBLES OR RIPPLES,IT CAN GET DISTORTED, AND IS NOT A STRONG APPLICATION UN LIKE HOT MUD WITH FIBERGLASS TAPE...
I wonder do you use paper tape in new construction? It matters not if you agree or disagree.
I am going to need this. We have to get the house raised so that they can replace the wood pier support with cement blocks. We had a small earthquake here a few years ago and the house sunk in the middle and some walls, new mostly, have cracked. Thanks SirDent.
I just read the previous comment about the paper tape,. There is another tape that is stretchy and web-like. What is your take on this?
Hi LG. One thing to keep in mind, any wood that is in contact with masonry or cement should be pressure treated. Most cracks in drywall are easily repaired. Make sure you get the loose stuff out before you apply the compound. Don't get in too big a hurry, that is for professionals who finish drywall for a living.
It's true, paper tape was the only option for this kind of work at one stage, then it had to be used there was no other way out, but personally, for ease of use & extra strength & durability, I do like the 'fibre sticky tape,' it is so much hassle free to use also, make sure that the area which is cracked, the boards are re-fixed & sound )movement free) in as much as, there is no movement there before continuing with the cracks, good information SirDent thanks for sharing
Regards Dale
mattd241 4 years ago
I would agree with all written, but save yourself the cleanup and dust by using a damp sponge, rather than sandpaper for the last step. So much cleaner and faster!