What Can You Do to Fix Tape Bubbling From a Drywall Job?

Function

• Drywall finishers seal drywall seams -- the cracks where drywall boards meet -- using joint compound and paper tape. A finisher applies a coat of joint compound, places the paper tape over it, and uses a large, flat drywall knife to smooth the installation and remove as much joint compound as possible.

Prevention

• The best strategy is to avoid bubbles in the first place. When you tape a seam, apply a generous amount of joint compound. If you can see the surface of the wall or ceiling through the joint compound, the application is not thick enough. Center the paper drywall tape over the seam, then press hard with your drywall knife to wipe the compound out from under the tape. When you're done, the tape should lie flat and the surrounding joint compound should be smooth.

Repair

• If you make a mistake, an air bubble will be evident after the compound dries. If there are many air bubbles, use your drywall knife to pry away the entire section of installed tape and try again. If there are just a few air bubbles, use a sharp utility knife to cut around them and pry off the loose paper. Apply joint compound, then install a small piece of tape over the removed sections. This time, make sure to apply enough joint compound under the new sections of tape.

Considerations

• When you finish drywall, work in small sections. If you attempt to cover a long seam, for example, the joint compound at one end might dry slightly before you can get to it. If the joint compound is dry, the paper tape won't bond with it correctly. Working with joint compound that is too thick also can lead to air bubbles. Add water to the joint compound according to the manufacturer's specifications, but don't make it so thin that it's difficult to work with.