Bubbles in Drywall Record

"Ummmmm…honey, why are there bubbles in the drywall tape?"

It was that dreaded moment when Cully and I realized our DIY drywall installation wasn't going as smoothly as the videos made it seem (go figure!).

Since week six of the Ane Room Challenge is all nigh drywalling our soon to be chief bedroom, I wanted to focus on the primary issue nosotros ran into.

I chose to focus on this specific topic because, quite frankly, as a DIYer y'all are likely to run into issues of your drywall tape bubbling upward, especially if this is your kickoff time drywalling an entire room. Nosotros certain did!

Nosotros found some amazing blog posts and videos that taught us how to hang and record drywall. But few focused on what issues we might run into as a DIYer with piffling experience drywalling.

Most of the videos were created by professionals, which is awesome to acquire from… only they don't always accost the things that less experienced folks may see.

So let's address the number one drywall installation fault that DIYers make…dreaded bubbles in your drywall record.

Drywall Tape

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Why is My Drywall Tape Bubbling?

Why is it that drywall tape bubbles?

The most common reason is that there's merely non plenty joint compound behind the record to allow it to stick to the drywall.

As the joint compound dries, the area(due south) that lack ample articulation compound bubble up, leaving an uneven wait on your walls.

A professional drywaller may say this is due to "poor installation practices"…and I'll admit, at that place is obvious truth to that.

I too like to think it is simply a part of the learning curve that any DIYer or new drywall professional may experience.

And, if we were to hire this project out to drywall professionals, yous bet we would await the tape to be smooth and chimera gratuitous!

But alas, nosotros wanted to learn the process and save a buck, and so the lessons forth the fashion are part of the process and are well worth it.

Are Bubbles in Drywall Record Bad?

Bubbles in drywall tape are not necessarily a bad affair as it relates to the construction of the drywall. In other words, the drywall will not fail and autumn off but because in that location are bubbles in the tape.

Yet, if left unaddressed, the bubbles will produce a very unattractive wait that even wall texture likely will not encompass up.

Information technology's all-time to ready the bubbling after the initial layer of articulation compound is practical (or as soon as you meet them).

Don't be fooled into thinking that putting more joint chemical compound on top of the chimera will solve the upshot; information technology won't.

This will just make it more challenging to fix later since you'll exist working through more layers of joint compound.

Tools Required for this Projection

For this project you will demand:

  1. Utility Knife
  2. Articulation Compound
  3. Putty Pocketknife
  4. Patience (wish we could just purchase this!)

Steps to Prepare Bubbling in Drywall Tape

  1. Cutting above and beneath the bubble
  2. Cutting a slit downwards through the middle of the chimera
  3. Fold open the drywall tape
  4. Spread articulation chemical compound into the space
  5. Shut up the record flaps
  6. Resume applying the joint chemical compound as instructed

Cut To a higher place and Below the Bubble

Using a utility knife, cutting 2 slits; 1 to a higher place the bubble and one below the bubble.

Bubbles in Drywall Tape

Cut a Slit Downwards the Eye of the Chimera

One the first two cuts are made, cutting a slit down the centre of the bubble, continued the two cuts you just made.

Bubbles in Drywall Tape

Fold Open the Drywall Tape

Fold open the drywall tape flaps. You will likely see that there is no (or too petty) articulation compound.

Fix Drywall Tape Bubbles

Spread Joint Chemical compound into the Space

Using a putty knife (or your clean finger), spread a fresh coat of joint compound onto the drywall and nether the tape folds.

You lot may use a quick drying compound (these come in powder form and need to be mixed with h2o), or use whatsoever all purpose articulation compound you lot've been using throughout the projection.

Nosotros just used the all purpose articulation chemical compound nosotros'd been using.

DIY Drywall Hanging

Close the Tape Flaps

Close the tape flaps, making sure the flaps are as flat as the rest of the tape.

You may even so see the lines from the cuts at this point. That is OK. They volition be covered upwardly with the next layers of articulation compound.

Resume Applying the Articulation Chemical compound as Instructed

Resume applying the required coats of joint compound as instructed by the product y'all purchased.

Allowing proper dry time and sanding in-between coats will be critical to how well your bubble set looks in the end.

Note: If you have large bubbles, similar well-nigh the height of the record, information technology will be better to cut that section of record out and re-record it with a new piece and with the appropriate amount of joint compound.

Drywall Tape has Bubbles

Avoiding Bubbles in Drywall Tape

Take it from me, drywall tape repair can be ane of the most frustrating parts of hanging drywall.

The best way to avoid bubbles in the future is to ensure there is plenty joint compound backside the drywall tape.

While it takes some practise to become it correct, it really is as uncomplicated as that.

Assuming you grab the bubbling before y'all've gone too far into the projection, fixing them will take minimal fourth dimension and will be well worth the effort.

Have a question or additional tip?  Go out it in the comments section beneath!

Bank check out the other posts related to our DIY garage conversion:

Planning a Garage Conversion

Garage Demolition: The Step by Step Procedure

Building a Garage Partition Wall

Wiring the New Garage Bedchamber

Insulation Installation

Installing & Finishing the Drywall (you are here!)

Final Reveal!

Until adjacent time,

Krista