How to Repair Drywall From Bad Mesh Tape

Drywall is hung in sheets that are nailed or screwed to the wall and then taped together with special tape and plaster. Those seams can look bad if they aren't done right. If someone has used mesh tape, which is easier to lay than paper tape but is more apt to bunch up and create mounds, you may want to pull off the mesh tape and replace it with paper tape. Re-taping the seam is a fairly big job, but it can make a huge difference in the look of the wall.

Flat drywall knife
Joint compound
Paper drywall tape
Drywall sander

Instructions

- 1
  Scrape away the plaster from one end of the bad joint, using the edge of the your flat drywall knife. Expose the mesh tape under the compound.
- 2
  Work at the edge of the tape with the knife until you can get hold of it with your fingers. Slowly pull it away, taking the rest of the compound with it. Pull it off the whole seam, keeping the tape in one piece if possible.
- 3
  Scrape away any remaining plaster from the seam, exposing it completely.
- 4
  Spread a line of joint compound over the whole seam, from end to end, with the drywall knife. Make the seam a little wider than your paper tape (about 4 inches).
- 5
  Press a strip of paper tape into the compound, from end to end. Spread a second layer of compound over the tape. Run the edge of the knife fully over the tape to squeeze out the excess compound and get it flat and smooth.
- 6
  Let the compound set for four hours, or until dry.
- 7
  Spread another coat of compound over the seam, making it about six inches wide. Keep it flat and smooth. Let it sit six hours, or until dry.
- 8
  Spread on a third smooth coat of compound, making it about eight inches wide. Let it set for 12 hours.
- 9
  Sand the seam smooth with a drywall sander. Repaint the wall.

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