Drywall joint compound bubbling, help!

juniebug-2006

16 years ago

Hi,

I just removed wallpaper from my foyer and had to do some joint compound repair work. One area on the drywall was ripped and brown paper was showing. Not knowing any better I used the joint compound directly over this and now it's bubbling! It's not a very large area, only about 2 inches by 4 inches, but I'm not sure what I should do. I thought about using a razor blade to try to remove the bubbling area and then maybe try to tape the area and then mud, but before doing that I thought I'd ask for help from someone who knows what they are doing. Any and all pointers will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

brickeyee
16 years ago
Use a 5 inch drywall knife and scrape over the area.
It will cut the bubbles off and they will fall to the floor as powder.
Apply another coat of compound, and repeat until it is as smooth as you want.
Do NOT wet sand the repair. Scrape with a drywall knife or dry sand only.
Repairs over damaged surface cardboard should always be sealed with primer before applying compound.
juniebug-2006
Original Author
16 years ago
Brickeyee,
Thanks for your advice. I did just as you said, and so far no bubbles!

Thanks much.
Chris
Related Discussions
Sanding Joint Compound
Q
Comments (21)
You are so right! lol It's sanded smooth, niiiice!, and then somehow it isn't smooth anymore when the angle changes. Big scratches and a blump. I guess the funniest part is that I actually like imperfection. Pleasantly imperfect. But this house has such a history of sloppy it's ridiculous and quite sad. I want things done nicely this time! I am working on letting go of things. But it is not easy! I will not do a bad job though. The ceiling did need work. It had over 30 mud pops over the screws that had to be sanded down, along with slopped up corners and lots of rough unsanded edges around the perimeter. Not to mention glops of mud splattered here and there. The walls were no less than terrible repairs. Honestly, I had a contractor here and we were just talking about other things and he told me the drywall guy did a complete BS job. Like I hadn't noticed, lol. This home stretch is a bear though. I am on the learning curve what is good enough to look nice and professional when done. So far, the paint in the bathrooms and backsplash look really good! But I did obsess, lol. I will loosen up in the closets and see what happens. I think Faron understands!!?!? lol. He has a perfection thread out there somewhere, with a little repair kit to get the textures just the same! Thanks all.
...See More
Joint compound over paint?
Q
Comments (6)
First I would scuff or sand the walls with a block or pad. I have a small orbital sander that works great. And then wash them, simple green is a great cleaner, and doesn't leave any film that would cause problems for compounding or painting. Mixing is a must!!, if you're using a 5gal. pail, most people don't have a drill large enough to turn the big mixing paddle. A small paint mixer, turned by any drill will work for you. Over-mixing can cause air bubbles, if you've ever watched a PRO taper, he is constantly turning the compound on the hawk. This helps release the air from the mix. Also, try some thinner coats, they dry faster and you can re-coat sooner. From time to time, you will get some bubbles, but the second coat should fill them in. Good Luck
...See More
WWYD? Asbestos in drywall joint compound and texturing
Q
Comments (18)
Hi, I just read this and wanted to give you a little reassurance. I live in Denver too and I can tell you that your issue is the norm here, not the exception. If your house was built in Denver during that time, it is going to have asbestos in the texture and joint compound. The last owner probably didn't know because they didn't have the same rules for testing before doing remodeling work back then. Or they did know and didn't disclose it to you. But it would cost you a lot of time and expense to prove it. The important thing is to not freak out. There are lots of homes in Denver that are in the same boat. We are in a super tight housing market here and your home is probably still very desirable. If you sold right now, you would probably take no hit what so ever. I friend of mine just listed their home with asbestos and led paint in Denver for 1.5 million. Just be sure when you disclose it, that you keep your disclosure brief and include that the areas that tested positive for asbestos were professionally removed and remediated. Something like: "Asbestos was found in the kitchen area during a remodel and was professionally removed and remediated." Our disclosure forms in Colorado include a box that says "I don't know" if you really don't know for sure if there is asbestos in other areas of the house because they have not been tested, check the "I don't know box" for asbestos on the disclosure. Then write in "Asbestos was found and professionally removed from the kitchen during a remodel." Then you are providing all the facts and leaving it up to the potential buyer if they want to do additional testing after they purchase the home or do any remodeling. But seriously, don't feel bad. Your home is still great.
...See More
bubbled line of mesh drywall tape
Q
Comments (4)
Ok, got it. I still think there's some moisture in that joint and the topping is making a barrier so the moisture can't get out. I read that it's vinyl-based so that would make sense. Anyway, you can try to knock off the bubbles (or cut them open with a utility knife) and touch it up with easysand. If the fiberglass tape is also proud of the wall, you might have to pull off that portion and redo it. During your sanding, it's helpful to hold a light on the side to reveal the defects, etc.
...See More
brickeyee
16 years ago
It is usually only a problem with the first layer.
The subsequent layers are thin enough to not soak much more moisture in.

You can also use setting compound without priming since it has much less water when mixed correctly (about like smooth peanut butter).
Setting compounds harden by chemical reaction, not drying out, so they do not need the large amount of water of pre-mix.
Setting also shrinks much less when hardening.
juniebug-2006
Original Author
16 years ago
Brickeyee,

You are a wealth of information! One more question, I'm assuming that joint compound is different from setting compound. Would I find setting compound in the same area in the hardware store as the joint compound? This is just for future reference as my wall has been painted and now looks beautiful. Thanks again,
Chris
rjoh878646
16 years ago
Setting compound comes in paper bags labeled setting type compound, with a time on it. Get the longest time you can find,90 minutes or greater.Home depot sells setting compound that sets up in 110 minutes . The time is the working time after you mix water with the powder. After the working time is up whats left in your bucket solidifies. That means you have up to that time to clean your tools and bucket out. When working with setting compound take extra care cleaning your tools and bucket. any residue of the previous batch will cause the new mix to solidify very fast. So just clean everything thoroughly.

The nice thing with setting compound, is the fact it doesn't shrink when it dries like the premixed does. You then need less coats.
brickeyee
16 years ago
Unless you are VERY good at drywall work, use Easysand or one of the softer setting compounds.
Durabond is another popular product, but is as hard as plaster and very difficult to sand.
juniebug-2006
Original Author
16 years ago
Oh, I think the Easysand product would be the way I would go. I'm hardly good at drywall work, much less very good! Brickeyee thank you so much for your help, your obviously very experienced. Rjoh878646 Thanks also for your input. You have a lot of excellent pointers and I truly appreciate your help.
Thanks again,
Chris

Drywall joint compound bubbling, help!

Comments (7)

brickeyee

juniebug-2006
Original Author

Related Discussions

brickeyee

juniebug-2006
Original Author

rjoh878646

brickeyee

juniebug-2006
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Drywall joint compound bubbling, help!

Comments (7)

brickeyee

juniebug-2006Original Author

Related Discussions

brickeyee

juniebug-2006Original Author

rjoh878646

brickeyee

juniebug-2006Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

juniebug-2006
Original Author

juniebug-2006
Original Author

juniebug-2006
Original Author