One of the major problems we face months after installing drywall is loose tape on the drywall surface, and it becomes a challenging task to repair it when the surface is textured. In this article, I’ll walk you through how to repair loose drywall tape on textured ceilings. Just stick around for a while, and fixing this problem will no longer be a challenge to you.
To repair loose drywall tape on a textured ceiling, you need to first cut away the loose part of the tape and then sand the area. After that, install new tape, apply 3 mud coats, and then sand the area once the final coat is dry. In the end, reapply the texture to the area.
It’s important to have essential tools and a comprehensive guide to repair drywall taping separated from the textured ceiling. The rest of this article will cover this topic in detail, so make sure you’re here with me till the end.
Why Does Drywall Tape Come Loose From Ceiling?
There are a lot of reasons why the drywall tape comes loose from the ceiling, and the main reasons are as follows-
Moisture/Humidity
The number one reason why you find your drywall tape to peel out is excessive moisture or humidity in the room. The moisture causes the mud coat on the drywall to get wet, and as a result, the tape comes loose.
Bad Mud Job
A bad mud job can ruin the whole drywall because mudding gives drywall a strong foundation. It doesn’t matter how high-quality drywall mud you use because if you don’t apply it correctly, you’ll face certain problems with your drywall in the future.
It’s important to apply at least 3 mud coats on the drywall after taping the seams so that the tape doesn’t move from its position. Failing to do that can cause the drywall tape to peel out in the future.
House Settling
House settling is another main reason why the drywall tape peels on the ceiling. If there has been any shifting in the foundation of your home due to any reason, then it’s normal to see loose drywall tape on your drywall, especially on the ceiling.
So these are the 3 main reasons why your drywall tape is separating from the ceiling. Next, you’ll learn how to fix loose drywall tape on the textured ceiling, which you’re here for.
How Do You Repair Loose Drywall Tape On Textured Ceiling (Step-By-Step)
The steps are as follows-
Grab The Tools
In the first step, you have to assemble the tools and equipment that will be needed during the process, and they are as follows-
- A utility knife
- 120, 150, and 220 grit sandpapers
- A ladder
- Protective goggles, gloves, and a dust mask
- Drywall mud (Joint compound)
- Drywall tape (any)
- 3-inch drywall knife
- Texturing sponge
These tools and equipment are essential to have, and without them, you can’t fix this problem properly. If you’ve installed drywall in your home yourself, you may already have some of these tools.
Once you’ve assembled all these tools, it’s time to put on your safety gear, including protective glasses, gloves, and dust mask, so that you’re all safe during the process. As soon as you’re equipped with all the safety gear, you’re good to go.
Cut Away Loose Tape
Removing the loose tape is important, and it should be done first. Grab your utility knife and then reach the affected area using the ladder. Then, take your time and cut away the loose section of the tape with the knife. Don’t rush as you may cause a scratch on the drywall surface surrounding the affected area with the knife.
Make sure you’ve removed the loose section of the tape completely, and the rest of the tape is attached solidly to the drywall.
Sand The Area
Once you’ve removed the loose section of the drywall tape, it’s time to sand the area where the loose tape was installed. Grab the 120-grit sandpaper and then sand the area to remove the residues of old mud and texture. Sand it until the area seems clean.
After that, sand the same area again using 150 grit sandpaper to smoothen it and get it ready for taping.
Install New Tape
Now, that the affected area is clean and smooth, you’re all set to install the new tape. You can use the same type of drywall tape that you used while installing the drywall or go for any other type. I recommend using mesh drywall tape because it stays intact in its position for longer and is considered the best drywall tape.
Ensure the new tape you’ve installed isn’t overlapped on the old tape cause that can cause a bump in the mud coat, and the drywall surface won’t look flat.
Apply The First Mud Coat
Once the new tape is installed, it’s time to apply a mud coat on it. Get your 3″ drywall knife and spread a thin layer of joint compound/mud over the tape. The reason you have to use a 3″ drywall knife is that the area that needs to be mudded isn’t very wide and using a wider knife would cause the mud to spread unnecessarily on the sides of the tape.
After you’ve spread the mud, work on achieving a smooth and flat surface with the same knife. After that, leave the mudded area for 24 hours to dry.
Sand The Area Again
After the mudded area is completely dry, sand it down using 150-grit sandpaper to make it smoother. The first mud coat is the main coat, and it should be applied properly.
Apply Other Coats
Once you’ve successfully applied and sanded the first mud coat, it’s time to go for the further coats. Spread a little bit of drywall mud/joint compound on the first coat and then smoothen it using the same knife. Once it gets bone dry, sand the area using 150 grit sandpaper until it gets smoother.
Experts recommend applying at least 3 mud coats over the drywall tape for a strong foundation. So once the second coating is done, go for the third one, following the same process. You should also know that sanding between the mud coats is essential to have better-looking drywall, and you must not skip it.
Apply Texture
Once you’ve applied the recommended number of mud coats over the tape and the area is completely dry, it’s time to apply the texture. If you had applied primer on the drywall before texture during the drywall installation, you could do the same thing here. The mudded area is small here, so it really won’t matter whether you apply the primer on it or not.
You can use a sponge to add texture to the area because it works best for a small area. Just dip one side of the sponge in the texture patch product you’re using and dab it on the area that needs to be textured. You’re done.
So, this was about how to repair loose drywall tape on the textured ceiling in 8 simple steps. Make sure to follow each step as mentioned to see the desired result.
What If You Don’t Fix A Loose Drywall Tape On A Textured Ceiling?
If the tape is separating from your drywall and you don’t fix it, the dust will start depositing in the separated section of the tape, and the drywall seams, which will cause the rest of the tape to come loose. This thing will cause the drywall joint to become weak and unstable, and the drywall surface will look uneven.
The drywall tape keeps the drywall seams hidden and firm because the mud coat on the seam is applied over the tape. While installing the drywall, always make sure that you use high-quality drywall tape and drywall mud/joint compound and follow the right process so that the tape stays firmly installed in its position for longer.
Conclusion
One of the common problems that people tend to face is loose drywall tape on the ceiling, and there are many reasons it happens. Repairing loose drywall tape on the ceiling is quite challenging, and it becomes more challenging when the ceiling is textured. With a proper guide and many tools, one can fix this problem with ease.
So this was all about how to repair loose drywall tape on a textured ceiling and I hope you’ve found this article helpful. Have a nice day ahead!