How to Level Drywall

If you have a drywall wall that's wavy and uneven so you can see the depressions when you look at it from the side, don't go ripping it out and replacing it just yet. Uneven drywall surfaces are common in older homes, and can often be fixed just by skim-coating the surface. This is the process of spreading a very thin layer of joint compound over the surface so it fills those indentations and gets everything even.

Paint scraper
Small drywall knife
Joint compound
Mesh drywall tape
Wide drywall knife (10 or 12 inches)
Drywall sanding pad
Primer
Paint

Instructions

- 1
  Use a paint scraper to remove all loose paint and other material from the wall.
- 2
  Dig out around any deep cracks or holes with a small drywall knife, removing all loose plaster. Patch those areas by spreading on some joint compound, pressing drywall tape over the wet compound and then spreading more compound over the tape. Get it smooth and flat. Let it dry for four hours.
- 3
  Spread a very thin layer of joint compound over the whole wall with a wide drywall knife, starting at one edge and working across. Drag the knife over the surface at a shallow angle so you can see through the compound on the flat areas as the compound fills in the holes, cracks and depressions.
- 4
  Let the joint compound set for four hours. Scrape it with the knife to take off any ridges.
- 5
  Spread on a second coat of joint compound in the same way as the first, again keeping it very thin.
- 6
  Let the second coat dry. Scrape it flat. Apply a third coat of joint compound.
- 7
  Let the third layer dry overnight. Sand it lightly, making sure it's completely flat. Prime and paint the wall.

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