How to Repair a Cracked Wall

Find out how to repair a cracked sheetrock wall. Learn why you should use fiberglass self-stick drywall tape instead of paper tape. Get tips on putting several coats of spackle on top of the tape, then priming and repainting the…

LESLIE: Now we’re going to talk to Charles in Texas who has sheetrock damage from water.

Did you have a leak or a flood? What happened?

CHARLES: Actually, I did more investigation and we had some settling in the house. And on the outside of the house, the brick has a little – like a little crack; maybe 1/2-inch. OK? And then on the inside wall, the sheetrock where the – had been taped over had separated, OK?

TOM: Right.

CHARLES: And my question is how to go about getting that back.

TOM: Well, you’re not going to get it back. (chuckles) You can’t put it back from where it was, Charles. But what you do need to do is to repair that wall. What I would suggest is this. I would cut the old tape away and I would put new tape in there. And the tape that I would use would be the fiberglass self-stick drywall tape. It’s much easier to use than the paper tape, especially when it comes to a wall repair like that. You simply cut this stuff, fold it in half, lay it into that corner where the separation is, and then you put new spackle on top of that. Remember to use two to three very thin coats of spackle and you can prime it and repaint it. And the good thing about that fiberglass tape is it’s stronger than the paper tape, so that’s not likely to happen again.

CHARLES: Oh, good. Yeah. What will happen in the winter when the brick comes back together? Will it affect it in any way or should I wait for the winter to do it?

TOM: A home is always expanding and contracting, so there is a chance that you could have additional movement. But that’s why I suggested the fiberglass tape because it’s a little more resistant to that. I would also recommend that you use a clear, silicone caulk in that crack and stop the water from getting in there because that will stop further masonry damage.

CHARLES: Yeah, the water won’t go in because it’s one of those style houses that has the like covered porch on the front and back.

TOM: I see. Mm-hmm. I see.

CHARLES: Yeah. So the water can’t get in there, thank goodness. You know, so …

TOM: It’s really just a movement issue then. I think you’ll be good to go with just that.

CHARLES: OK.

TOM: Charles, thanks so much for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.