I framed my shop building using 2×6 studs, 16″ oc. Fiber batt insulation. I hung and taped the drywall. I used screws and foam-type adheasive. Used paper tape and Durabond 90 setting compound to bed the tape. I hired an experienced drywall guy to come in and do the finishing coats (2 coats of Plus 3) and sanding. After about 12 to 18 months, I started getting cracks at some of the seams. The cracks are just to the right or left of the edge of the tape. There are no cracks in the paper tape.
What did I do wrong, and what is the best way to do the repair? I know that just putting more mud over it is not the thing to do.
Replies
I want to guess the setting compound was not thick enough or too dry under the tape.
Best way is to pull the tape, replace and finish.
It would not hurt to put a couple extra screws in the edges while you have it open.
Are the cracks just vertical, or is there some separation that indicates the drywall sheets are moving in relation to each other?
Yup, either the board wasn’t fastened properly or the bedding of the tape wasn’t good. I’ve never used a foam adhesive to hang drywall. Is there a possibility you scrimped on the screws? Are the cracks on butt or tapered edges? Between studs or the runs up the studs?
If you run your finger nails flat over the tape (as if you were brushing of dust) you should notice a different sound where it is loose. Cut away both ends of tape here, remove and reapply. You might rescrew the board as well.
You don’t have to use Durabond on this, it might make your repair harder.
I blame durabond. I’ve slung a fair amount of mud in my day but never have I set tape in durabond. That stuff sets like concrete and is impossible to sand and may have been starting to get too set up by the time you bedded your tape. Drywall guru Myron Ferguson recommends all purpose mud even over hot mud because it has more adhesive and he says it’s a common misconception that bedding tape in 90 minute is stronger than all purpose. It is harder when it dries but if adhering the tape is your goal use all purpose. I also recommend fibafuse tape instead of paper tape on field seams because the mud goes through it. I’d say the world is full of cracks learn to not see them. Like my gardener friend told me if you adjust your perception of what a weed is you will have a lot less weeding to do.