Drywall question

[wareagle]

Hey guys,

I repaired a piece of drywall in my kitchen ceiling today and on one of the long edges (approx. 45"), there is a difference of maybe 1/8" between the existing drywall and the piece I installed. It isn't a gap, but rather a difference in height, if this makes sense.

So, I wanted to see if anybody had any suggestions for leveling this out so that it's smooth? My plan was to simply add joint compound, then feather it out as best as I can, but I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks for your help,

David

[Tom Slick]

I've shimmed the framing to make it level but you're beyond that now. I'd feather it out really far and you may not notice, especially with a heavy texture.

[cgallery]

I'd probably remove the new piece of drywall and add some shims before reinstalling it. You could just use a lot of drywall mud. But the you run the risk of cracks down the road.

[Uncle Cracker]

I've used mesh-type drywall tape, and feathered way back on a couple like that in the past. There was also popcorn texture involved, which made the repairs almost invisible.

[cabinetman]

I would use several applications of drywall mud feathered back in very thin layers allowing each to completely dry. The repair will be less likely to crack and shrink.
.

[LCHIEN]

if its much more than a few inches square, i think that any attempt to feather it out will result in an sunken area that will show if the light hits it right, like a crater on the moon. Filling it with mud might help but all the mud will crack and become a liability. I think the only way to fix it right is, as was suggested, take it off and shim it up to the same height from behind.

[os1kne]

If you go with shimming the studs, paint stirrers will probably work well. Or, just buy thicker drywall.

[tseavoy]

I've use spackling paste for this type of repair -- the vinyl kind. It has loss propensity to crack than regular drywall mud. The mesh type tape is better for this also.
It doesn't cost a lot to try the long feather approach before ripping out drywall and starting over.

Tom on Marrowstone

PATIENCE, n. A minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue.
Ambrose Bierce

[RAFlorida]

As others have noted,

I've used the mesh tape with vinyl spackling with good results. The key is starting with a thin layer and feathering out. If you go too thick, it will not dry uniformly and cracks will appear even using the vinyl spackling. Hope all the post help you out.

[Tom Slick]

Use slow setting drywall mud, the stuff you have to mix with water. it is less prone to cracking.

[crokett]

Is the new stuff lower or higher than the old? If it is lower, remove the repaired piece and shim to get it to height. This is will make the mudding a lot easier. If it is higher, then on the original work a few inches back from the edge build up a mound of mud and let that dry. This forms a valley of sorts between the raised edge of the new and the mound. Then put the tape in the valley and tape it. Don't try to tape and feather all at once. I've been in this situation before and these were the quickest fixes, as per a guy I worked with who moonlighted for his dad's drywall business.

[eccentrictinkerer]

For jobs like this I use '20 minute mud' for the bedding coat (remember to soak the tape in warmwater, makes all the difference in the world for adhesion).

Second coat of '20 minute' feathered out 8 to 10 inches, sand, then a third coat of regular mud feathered out 12 to 15 inches.

This sounds like a lot of work, but if you're careful, you can be done very quickly. I do this on a regular basis and you can expect a perfect job.

Use a trouble light placed close to the wall to see the high and low spots.

Trying the the job in 1 or 2 coats usually leads to a poor job, IMHO.

(With practice you can use '5 minute' mud and be done in an hour.)

[chopnhack]

eccentrictinkerer beat me to it. +1 on "hot" mud, makes repairs go a lot quicker, sometimes quicker than you are!

[iceman61]

Word of warning: if you don't know what you are doing, better not get the quick set stuff.

[eccentrictinkerer]

word of warning: If you don't know what you are doing, better not get the quick set stuff. :d

+1

damhikt!