Repairing Guides

how to repair bulging drywall seams

by Bell VonRueden Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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  • Start by sanding away as much of the affected area as possible with 150-grit paper.
  • Apply new drywall tape to the seams that were bulging as needed.
  • Feather out the affected area with joint compound to ensure new bulges don’t occur.
  • Sandpaper over everything with 150-grit paper one more time to make sure the area is flat and uniform with your other walls.
  • Prime the affected area.
  • Paint the affected area to make it match the rest of your home.

Part of a video titled How to Fix Bulging Drywall Seams - YouTube
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And sand any rough edges clean off the area stick mesh tape along the seam where the old tape usedMoreAnd sand any rough edges clean off the area stick mesh tape along the seam where the old tape used to be. Then apply joint compound over the seam.

How to repair a bad seam in drywall?

Why do Drywall Seams Show?

  • Windows
  • Door frames
  • Corners
  • Stairs. Any area that is likely used the most, will begin to see cracks. The different changes in temperature can affect the seams.
  • Apply a skim coat of setting compound
  • Use drywall tape
  • Sand the seam
  • Use dark or matte paint
  • Hanging up wall décor
  • Color washing technique

More items...

How to fix bulging drywall seams?

Fix bulging drywall seams by using a stud finder to identify loose, missing, or over-driven drywall screws. Cut into the wall with a utility knife, remove the problem screws, and replace them with new ones.

How do you repair drywall ceiling seam?

How to Repair Uneven Drywall Seams

  1. Fill a drywall pan with drywall compound, often called "mud" by professionals due to its consistency.
  2. Hold a straightedge over the uneven drywall seam to determine where the seam dips. ...
  3. Press the knife against the wall and a spread a broad layer across the length of the seam, favoring the side that dips.
  4. Dampen a drywall sanding sponge. ...

What is the best way to repair torn drywall?

How to Repair Torn Drywall Paper

  • Cut Away the Damage. Cut all the torn or puckering paper away from the gypsum. ...
  • Seal the Drywall Paper. Cover the exposed gypsum and surrounding wall with a thick coat of oil or shellac primer-sealer. ...
  • Apply a Coat of Joint Compound. ...
  • Apply a Second Coat of Joint Compound. ...
  • Sand and Touch Up the Paint. ...

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Why are my drywall seams bulging?

A bulge in drywall can be caused by moisture damage, overdriven screws, or poor fastening. To fix the bulge caused by moisture, fix the water leak and replace the affected panel with new sheetrock. If the bending is caused by poor screwing and fastening, replace the screws making sure to install them correctly..

How do you flatten drywall seams?

6:2512:54HOW TO REPAIR DRYWALL (PEAKED JOINTS) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's not important that you use quick set for anything other than the pre-fill.MoreIt's not important that you use quick set for anything other than the pre-fill.

How do you fix drywall bowing?

Use a putty knife or drywall knife to apply the joint compound. After four to six hours, the joint compound should be hardened and you can sand it down, leaving the drywall panel smooth to the touch and eye.

How do you blend uneven drywall seams?

Apply a third layer of compound, thicker than the previous two layers, to the uneven joint with a 10-inch drywall knife once the first two coats are thoroughly dry. Spread from the high side of the uneven joint to the low side, applying more compound as necessary on the low side to blend in with the high side.

How do you smooth out a bumpy drywall?

Sand the wall with 120-grit sandpaper to remove bumps or residue from wall paper removal. Use a sanding pole to reach higher places on the wall or to sand the ceiling. Avoid sanding seams where the paper tape is visible. After you've finished sanding, spread a coat of PVA primer on the wall and let it dry.

Why is my drywall buckling?

Bulges in drywall occur when shortcuts are taken or mistakes are made during the installation process. They may not become evident until much later. Bulges due to improper installation are often caused by overdriving fasteners or not securing the drywall to the studs properly.

What causes an interior wall to bow?

Water Pressure. Among the most common causes of a bowing concrete wall is water pressure, which can push upward or horizontally against the wall. In regions that don't experience freezing winter temperatures, water pressure is typically caused by excessive moisture in the soil.

What causes bowing walls?

What Causes a Bowing Wall? If you have a bowing wall, chances are it's due to hydrostatic pressure. This pressure is caused when the ground around your home is saturated with water. When too much water accumulates, it starts to “push” or exert pressure against your foundation walls.

Why is my drywall bulging?

Start By Understanding Why Your Drywall is Bulging. Bulging drywall is often caused by mistakes made during the construction process. Whoever built your home could have: Overdriven the drywall fasteners. Failed to secure the drywall properly. Butted two sheets of drywall too closely together.

Why is my ceiling sagging?

Sagging ceilings are often caused when installers use drywall that’s too thin for ceiling use. To fix this, experts typically recommend ripping out and replacing the drywall altogether. However, this is messy, complex work. A better strategy is to support the affected drywall while leaving it intact.

What happens if you don't apply joint compound?

If the joint compound isn’t applied in an appropriate way, you will have bulging drywall seams. Fortunately, this is often something that can be easily repaired by a professional.

Can water stains be found in ceilings?

These issues are generally present in the ceiling. However, if a large amount of water has accumulated behind your drywall, they can also occur in the walls. Persistent leaks will be evident of discoloration on the walls like water stains. To fix this issue, you first need to locate the cause of the leak and repair it.

Can drywall be flat?

Although drywall that is properly installed will appear flat, smooth, and blemish-free, anything from basic installation mistakes and natural home settling to plumbing leaks can result in bulges and bumps in your drywall finish.

Why is my drywall bulging?

Temperature changes can cause bulges in the drywall. In summer relative humidity of air is high, and it affects the drywall bulging. In the Summer season, the foundation may degrade because of using expansive soil in the drywall, which causes bulging.

What happens if you drive a fastener in drywall?

When you drive a fastener in your drywall with the wrong equipment or overdrive it, or if you do not hold the drywall board in the drain wall properly, it may damage the drywall paper. And then moist join compound ravages the foundation of the drywall panel. You have to drill into the harmed area and wipe out the swallowed drywall paper. Then you need to sew up the area with the joining component and then repaint the area.

What tape to use for drywall?

If drywall tape is bulging, you have to attach the tape to the seams. You can use mesh tape or paper tape. Mesh drywall tape stuck to the wall nicely. Paper tape is good for its adhesive property, and you can use it too.

Why is my drywall bulging?

Causes of a drywall bulge (in walls + ceilings) A bulge in your drywall means that the installation was poorly done, or the integrity of the drywall itself is not good enough to hold its own weight.

How to fix a small bulge in the ceiling?

Once you determine the cause, here are different ways to fix the bulge: 1. Replace the overdriven screws. If the wall or ceiling is bulging due to overdriven screws, the best solution is to remove those screws and replacing them with new ones.

Why is my sheetrock bulging?

Another possible reason for the bulge is if you used fewer drywall screws than required, or the wrong type or size. The good news is that if sheetrock is bulging along the seams due to improper fastening, you can easily fix it by re-installing the screws or fastening them properly.

How to check if sheetrock is bending?

If you suspect that moisture is the cause behind the bending sheetrock panels, do a moisture test to see how much of it is in your ceiling or wall. To check for moisture in your drywall installation, look at the wall to see if there’s any sign of discoloration around the bulge. Push the wall inside with your finger to check its integrity.

How to test for moisture in drywall?

A better way to test for moisture in your drywall is to use a moisture meter. I recommend the General Tools 4-In-1 Moisture Meter. Any moisture content of more than 1% in your drywall could be the cause of the bulging areas in your walls.

How to stop screws from overdriving?

This is how you prevent overdriving the screws. Apply 2-3 coats of joint compound over the area, allowing each to dry first before the next. Smooth the surface with a fine-grit sandpaper. Apply a paint primer. Paint the area to match the color of the rest of the wall.

Can drywall get messy?

The thing with drywall is that it can get messy installing and finishing especially if you don’t have any experience working with it. A few imperfections here and there and the problem areas such as bulging seams, humps, and cracks will be very visible when you paint your walls and ceilings.

Causes Of Bulging Of Drywall Seams

Bulging of drywall seams is a serious issue so do not take it lightly even if you are facing this problem for the first time but even then it is very important to inspect it completely and find out the reasons due to which it has happened.

How To Fix Bulging Drywall Seams

Now finding the causes of bulging of drywall seams is the step by step approach, which means that do not directly jump on the big issue, go step by step. First, check the easiest cause which you can do by yourself, and then go for difficult cause.

Tools And Materials You Will Require

For resolving these issues you will need some tools and materials, so here we are providing the list of the tools and materials will you require.

Improper Use of Joint Compound

Bulging drywall seams can be caused by a poor drywall installation. The joint between drywall panels must be covered with compound in a specific way in order for it to disappear after the drywall is painted. This joint must be covered in a series of layers, with each layer wider than the last.

Screws That Were Driven Too Deep

Screws that are driven too deep into a sheet of drywall can tear the paper and damage the interior core. Joint compound that’s applied over this damage can cause the drywall to swell. As a siding painting and interior painting expert, we can remove the offending screw and then drive new screws into the stud in the right locations.

Missing Screws

Missing screws can also cause drywall to bulge. We can fix this problem by just using a few screws. We’ll remove the offending screw and then drive a new drywall screw roughly 1 1/2 inches away on each side of the offending screw. We’ll make sure to insert the screws so that the head sinks a bit below the surface of the drywall, making a dimple.

What happens if you screw a sheet of drywall?

Screws driven too deeply into a sheet of drywall tear the paper and damage the interior core of the drywall. When installers apply joint compound over this damage, it tends to swell, creating a bulge. To fix this problem, start by removing the offending screw, if possible.

Can drywall be smooth?

While properly installed drywall appears smooth and free of blemishes , everything from simple installation mistakes to natural settling of the house can create bumps or bulges in drywall finishes. Fortunately, many of these issues can be resolved by handy homeowners using only basic tools and equipment.

2. Cut To Resize The Shims

When figuring out how to hide uneven drywall, you are going to have to begin personalizing the cardboard shims.

3. Set Into Place

Your next step is to set the cardboard shims into place to create an even look.

4. Use Short Screw To Secure The Shim

To use a cardboard shim to even the drywall seam, you are going to have to use the right screws.

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