If you notice a lot of bumps or uneven surfaces, then it's likely due to improper drywall finishing. Keep in mind, some roughness near lower levels of the finish might be acceptable, but be sure to pay close attention to corners and edges as these areas can especially appear to be uneven.
The presence of water can cause staining and discoloration, bulging, sagging, and mold issues. The above signs and possible damp smells of mold tell us that your drywall has water damage and will likely need to be replaced.
What is the average lifespan of drywall? Under normal conditions, gypsum panels and gypsum plaster have an expected service life of well over 50 years. This compares favorably to other materials, like stucco, which you can learn about in our article on the lifespan of stucco.
Keeping the joints between sheets of drywall too close is an invitation for troubles along the way. Professional drywall installers allow for ⅛-inch space between sheetrock placement, and this allows for expansion and contraction for the frame of the building, avoiding cracks and damage to the drywall.
You could skim coat over it with a thin layer of drywall mud, water it down slightly, skim lightly, sand, primer over it, primer is very important, then re paint. I have covered dozens of spots like this in a home I recently purchased and it looks great.
Now, the question arises: Can you really slather on a fresh layer of drywall mud over those colorfully painted walls? The answer, my friends, is a resounding yes—with a few caveats. It's all about the preparation, the type of paint, and the techniques used.
All edges of all sheets of drywall must land on a solid surface such as a stud.
If your walls have a lot of holes, gouges, or marks, putting drywall on the existing drywall can be one way to give them a facelift. You may also decide to put drywall over drywall if you've come to regret your previous design choices, such as old wallpaper or paneling.
"Chinese drywall" refers to an environmental health issue involving defective drywall manufactured in China, imported to the United States and used in residential construction between 2001 and 2009 – affecting "an estimated 100,000 homes in more than 20 states".
Signs of Water Damaged Drywall
Look for discoloration on the wall, often with streaks from the ceiling. Also, drywall that swells and changes color can show up as soft, bubbly spots. Mold and drywall damage often go hand in hand. Seeing mold, especially at corners and edges, means there's moisture in the wall.
One key difference between the two is that sheetrock is a brand name of drywall made by the United States Gypsum Corporation. Another difference lies in their production process; sheetrock has a slightly denser core than drywall due to the addition of a small amount of wood fiber to the gypsum core.
Always leave a 1/2-inch gap at the floor.
Hang the Ceiling First
This makes it much easier to manage and attach the panels since you will not have to fumble around with the screws, measuring tape, and so on. Screws for drywall lids should be placed no closer than 16” from the wall. This allows the drywall to have a bit of flexibility to prevent ceiling cracks.
Begin by applying a thin layer of joint compound over the damaged area to repair over-sanded drywall. Allow it to dry before lightly sanding the surface to make it smooth and even. If necessary, repeat this procedure. To gently smooth out the joint compound, use a sanding block or pole sander with fine-grit sandpaper.
If the drywall tape shows under the mud, the coating is too thin. Use three layers: tape coat, filler coat, and final coat.
Use dark or matte paint
Matte paint is the best option for hiding any imperfections that may have occurred during the drywall finishing process. If matte paint isn't available for you, try using a darker shade of paint. The darker colour will limit the light reflection in the room, so the seam isn't so apparent.
Knock down any ridges or significantly imperfect areas through sanding, which should help you apply the next coat of mud smoothly. If your first coat of mud is pretty smooth after it dries, a quick sanding is all you'll need. Don't forget to wipe away any dust after each sanding process.
Whether you use regular or quick mud, it's important to prime. If you don't prime and just paint over them, the patch has a different rate of absorption from the surrounding painted wall. It sucks the sheen in and creates a low flash condition.
What happens if you paint over drywall mud without primer? Fresh drywall acts akin to a sponge, readily absorbing the paint that you apply.