How to Fix Reappearing Cracks in Dry Wall

Drywall is cheap and is used in construction projects throughout the country. As a house settles, the drywall moves along the wall studs. As the drywall moves it cracks. Patching the drywall is one solution, but just patching the wall does not prevent cracks from reappearing. The drywall needs to be permanently fixed to the wall studs to prevent the drywall from moving and cracks from reappearing. Taking the little extra time to do the repair correctly will save you from having to make more repairs in the future.

Utility knife
Putty knife
Vacuum with hose attachment
Stud finder
Drywall nails
Hammer
Mesh tape
Drywall compound
Broad putty knife
Sanding block
Primer
Brush
Paint

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a groove along each side of the crack using a utility knife.
- 2
  Clean out the crack with a putty knife to remove any scraps of drywall. Vacuum the crack.
- 3
  Drive a nail into the stud behind the crack using a hammer. Use a stud finder if there is not a stud directly behind the crack. Most reappearing cracks appear near a stud location. Locate the closest piece of wood possible. Place a nail every few inches up the right side of the crack. Add nails to the left side, staggering the nails just below the ones on the right.
- 4
  Cover the crack and the nails with drywall mesh tape.
- 5
  Apply joint compound with a broad putty knife. Feather the drywall compound out so that it is thinner moving away from the crack. Allow the compound to dry. Sand down the compound the next day. Vacuum away the dust and make another application. Repeat this a total of three times.
- 6
  Paint the putty area with a paint primer. Allow the primer to dry. Paint the patched area the original color.

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