How to Repair Wallboard Seams

Lead Image for How to Repair Wallboard Seams
  • 1-2 hours
  • Beginner
  • 20-30
What You'll Need
Paint
Drywall joint compound
Hand drywall sander with sandpaper
Sharp 6-inch drywall knife
12-inch drywall knife
Mesh drywall tape
What You'll Need
Paint
Drywall joint compound
Hand drywall sander with sandpaper
Sharp 6-inch drywall knife
12-inch drywall knife
Mesh drywall tape

Repairing wallboard seams is an easy task using that you can do over the weekend. Wallboard, or what is referred to also as drywall, can either be made of gypsum, plastic, or wood. Wallboards are used in home construction. The seams of the wallboard are taped and enclosed with a drywall joint compound. There are many advantages of using wallboards such as better home protection from fire and easy maintenance and repair. Wallboards are also decorative and can be installed at the exterior or interior of your home.

With changing weather conditions, there is a tendency for the wall to have breakage which will create a crack on the drywall joint compound. One cause of the breakage would be the unsecured way of taping it using mesh drywall tape. Below are the materials that you need along with the instructions on how to repair wallboard seams.

Exposing the Wallboard Seam

Using a 6-inch drywall knife, the plaster covering the wallboard seam must be scraped off. Utilizing the flat rim of the knife and slightly angled, run this at the seam from the top to the bottom. When the wallboard tape is already seen, lightly take it out. Clean out all plaster scraps to reveal the seam.

Wrapping the Wallboard Seam

With the use of a piece of mesh drywall tape, wrap the wallboard seam all throughout it. Make a clean, straight-edge cut on the drywall tape at the end of the tape using a 6-inch drywall knife.

Applying the Drywall Joint Compound

Apply drywall joint compound in a line above the drywall tape using the 6-inch drywall knife. The application of the joint compound may be about four inches wide to fully enclose the tape and running through the top and bottom of the tape. Create a smooth layering of the drywall joint compound to cover the tape. It must be allowed to fully dry overnight.

Sanding the Wallboard Seams

Using a paper sander, smooth the wallboard seams. Sanding must be done properly to make sure that there will not be any uneven surface with bumps. The shape of the tape could easily be formed from underneath the drywall joint compound.

Applying the 2nd Coat

Apply a second and wider coat of the drywall joint compound with the use of a 12-inch drywall knife. The application must be about 8 inches wide and should appear thin and smooth. Allow about six to eight hours to completely dry up.

Applying the 3rd Coat.

The second coat just like the initial coat must be sanded to have a smooth finish. Apply a third coat of about 10 inches when the second coat is fully dry. Allow it to dry again for 6-8 hours.

Final Sanding and Repainting

Make sure that the last coating of the drywall compound is dry before sanding it again with sandpaper. Remove all the dust from the sanding using a damp cloth before painting the wallboard.