To get rid of a water bubble in your wall, pop the bubble, peel back the paint, allow the area to dry, and repair the damage. You should NEVER pop a water bubble if you suspect it's caused by contaminated water, like plumbing backup or overflow.
“Some bubbles can be sanded out,” advises Watson. Prepare the surface. Clean your putty knife and use it to fill any holes or indentations in the substrate with a thin layer of patching compound. Let the compound dry completely, then sand the patched areas smooth with a fine-grit sandpaper.
Just scrape or sand them out. Then touch up just where the bubbles are with compound. Pulling it real tight, pretty much just enough mud to fill the bubbles. Don't skim the entire area again.
If you address issues like a bowing basement wall or a foundation wall bowing inward early, you can often repair them using minimally invasive methods. However, if the damage gets worse—resulting in a basement wall bulging or even signs of caving in—repairs become more costly and disruptive.
Bulging or bowing walls are down to decreased stability in the wall and can affect old and new properties.
The tiny bubbles, called “pocks,” are trapped air bubbles created because there is a barrier—such as paint or primer or a harder mud, plaster, etc. —that will not let it be absorbed [into the drywall].
Sand it (preferably with a sanding screen) to knock down the high spots. That will probably be enough to make it flat, but if there are any depressions, fill them with plaster and smooth with a wide putty knife. Then prime and paint. Or just hang a picture over it.
Repair the plaster: Once you've dealt with the source of the problem, it's time to repair the plaster bubble. This will likely involve removing any damaged thin and thick layers of plaster from the interior wall surface, allowing the wall to dry out, and then applying a new layer of plaster.
Leaks from plumbing fixtures or a leaky roof.
Sometimes, plumbing or roof leaks (common after rain) can cause blisters or bubbles on painted surfaces. Over time, the moisture from these leaks damages the drywall behind the paint, which can cause widespread sagging, blistering, or bubbling in your ceiling or walls.
With proper maintenance, bubble wall features can last many years.
Regardless of where the water bubble occurs, it is usually an indication of something much more serious, and behind the bubble, there can be extensive water damage and/or mold. A simple way to check for moisture problems is to request a water damage inspection from a professional.
The inside of the bubble wall should not be cleaned with bleach or any other harsh cleaning fluid as this will cloud the plastic. 7. The exterior of the bubble wall can be cleaned with a spray polish and a soft cloth.
In cases where the bulge is localized and there is not a significant amount of damage, replacing a small section of the drywall may suffice. Remove a piece of the drywall and replace it with a fresh piece, securing it with screws or nails.
Apply several thin, even layers of paint, rather than one thicker layer to obtain a smooth, wrinkle-free finish. Allow each layer of paint to dry before applying the next coat.
Skim coating is a highly effective technique for addressing bulging drywall seams, ideally recommended for your local painting company or drywall professional. This method involves applying a thin layer of joint compound over the entire wall surface, including the seams.
One of the primary causes of paint bubbling is applying paint on a dirty or poorly prepared surface. When the painting surface is contaminated with dust, dirt, grease, or other substances, it hampers the paint's ability to adhere properly. As a result, bubbles or blisters may form as the paint dries.
The average cost to repair bowing basement walls is between $75 and $400 per foot. There are several factors involved in this process, and the stabilization of the concrete foundation is a significant factor to consider before the bowing walls can be cosmetically or structurally repaired.
In order to straighten the wall, a contractor will excavate outside of your foundation to access the exterior of the wall. This alleviates the pressure on the foundation. Then using hydraulic jacks inside the basement, they'll push the bowing wall back into position.