Did you know there’s a right way and a wrong way to apply drywall tape? The latter is what most people do: Apply it haphazardly with messy results. So, if you’re struggling with your drywall taping project, take a moment to read our quick and easy tips on how to fix your bubble in drywall tape! Catching those small imperfections while taping your wall can be challenging, but they are not impossible. So, if you’ve noticed your tape has slight ripples or bubbles here and there, don’t panic! With the help of this article, we will show you how to fix your bubble in drywall tape. Let’s get started!
How To Fix Bubble In Drywall Tape?
Before Taping
Before you even consider taping the wall, make sure that it is completely clean and free of dust and debris. This will ensure that the tape sticks to the wall properly, without any imperfections. It is not as easy as it sounds, though. Walls are often full of dust, and it’s nearly impossible to clean them all thoroughly. You can try using a high-pressure, low-volume (HPLV) cleaner to blast the dust off the wall, but it can be time-consuming depending on the size of the room. Another option is to use a commercial-grade HEPA vacuum to suck up the dust. There are many handheld vacuum cleaners designed for this purpose. This is a much better solution, but it can be a bit pricey. If you are going to use paintable wallpaper, make sure you clean it with a commercial cleaner.
After Taping
After taping your wall, you can use a wet sponge to clean up any excess material that didn’t stick to the wall. Several passes with the sponge will remove any excess tape glue, and you will be left with a smooth wall. This is, however, not the best solution. Cleaning the wall after taping will clear away all the bubbles, but only temporarily. As the wall dries, the bubbles will reappear. This is why many people recommend finishing the wall with a fog sprayer while the bubbles are still there. This can be a messy solution, so make sure to protect your floor.
Dried Out Sealer
If the wall is freshly painted, you can try to fix bubbles caused by the dried-out sealer. This is a quick and easy solution that anyone can do. However, it is only effective for a short amount of time. Make sure to fix the sealer as soon as possible for the best results. If the sealer is already dry, it will be very difficult to get rid of bubbles. You can also use a solvent to remove the dried-out sealer. Just make sure to get rid of all the solvent before you reapply for the new sealer. If you are planning to paint over an already-finished wall, make sure you clean it well with a sponge. This will remove any dried sealer and ensure smooth and bubble-free surfaces. It is recommended to use a fresh sponge to avoid contaminants.
Rotary Tool with a Razor Blade
It is not recommended to use a rotary tool for this purpose, but it is an option if you don’t have the equipment for other solutions. Make sure to use a clean, new razor blade. This is not a quick fix, so you should plan your time accordingly. You will spend a lot of time cleaning the wall, but it is a solution that will fix bubbles permanently. To do this, first, clean the wall with a sponge and water. Then, use the rotary tool to shave off the bubbles. This will remove the bubbles and create a smooth wall. Make sure to use a clean brush to collect the hair and dust. To finish, clean the wall with a sponge and water. You can use this solution even if you are planning to paint the wall.
Utilizing Shims
This is a very effective solution if you are painting a small room. You can use shims to raise the area above the wall and paint it separately. This will make it easier to cover the bubble without getting paint on the wall. If you have finished painting the rest of the room, you can use a piece of paper and some masking tape to cover the bubble. This is a quick and easy solution, but you will have to re-do it for every bubble that you notice.
What Causes The Bubbling In Drywall Taping?
The surface is not dry before taping.
Before applying your drywall tape, you must make sure that the surface is completely dry. If there is even the slightest chance of the surface being damp, the tape won’t stick to it properly. When the surface is not dry, the moisture in the paper will cause the tape to wrinkle, which means that the tape won’t stick to the wall at all. The paper of the tape is made out of paper and glue, and when the glue gets moist, it loses its adhesive properties. This is why it’s important to wait for the surface to be completely dry before taping it. If you are in a rush, you can use a blow dryer to dry the surface of your wall. Make sure that you direct the blow dryer away from the wall so that you don’t leave any marks on it. Once your wall is completely dry, you can now move on to applying your tape.
There is a flaw in the drywall itself.
Sometimes, the bubbles created in your tape can be the result of a flaw in the drywall itself. If you notice that the bubbles are bigger than what they should be, it means that the drywall is flawed. If the drywall is flawed, the bubbles can grow large enough to be easily noticed by the people who are in your house. The drywall bubble can also pop out from behind the wall. If this happens, you need to replace the drywall as soon as possible. There are two places where the drywall can be flawed: On the paper or on the gypsum board. The flawed paper can cause bubbles in the tape when you are taping the edges of the wall. The flawed gypsum board will cause bubbles in the joint compound.
The tape itself has a flaw.
It’s not always the wall that is at fault; sometimes the tape has a flaw as well. If you are using lower-quality tape, it can cause bubbles on your wall. When choosing the tape, make sure that it’s a high-quality one. There are many brands on the market, so you can easily find the good quality tape. If you are using a lower-quality tape, it can cause bigger bubbles in the wall, which is a clear sign that you need to replace the tape with a better one.
There is too much moisture in the wall.
The last reason why your drywall bubbles are that there is too much moisture in the wall. You can easily notice this if the bubbles are larger than normal. If there is too much moisture in the wall, you won’t be able to properly seal the edges of your tape. This will result in bigger bubbles in the tape. When there is too much moisture in the wall, you need to wait for it to dry out completely before you can apply the tape. The best thing that you can do is to use a dehumidifier to remove the excess moisture from your wall.
Why Does Tape Have Bubbles?
- Drywall tape bubbles are formed when there’s a thin layer of joint compound over the tape. The bubbles indicate that you don’t have enough compound over the tape, or that you didn’t apply the tape correctly in the first place.
- Drywall tape is supposed to be completely covered with joint compounds. It’s the joint compound that secures the tape to the wall, and that holds the drywall panels in place.
- Bubbles in the tape indicate that there’s not enough compound.
How To Fix Your Bubble In Drywall Tape Using Joint Compound?
- If the bubble is small, you can try to fix it with a blob of joint compound.
- First, mix up some joint compound, and then cover the bubble with a blob of the compound.
- Once the bubble is covered with compound, be sure to smooth it out so that it’s even with the rest of the wall.
- When the compound dries, sand it down, and then apply the compound to the wall.
- Use a sanding sponge or a sander until the compound is completely smooth. You can apply a second coat of compound to the entire wall if you want.
Conclusion
While taping the wall is a necessary part of the drywall installation process, it can be frustrating. The trick is to prepare for it beforehand. You can avoid many of the common problems that occur when taping a wall by following these simple tips. Remember to always use a utility knife to cut the tape, and make sure that it’s sharp at all times. You should also use a taping knife so that you can apply joint compounds more efficiently.! With the help of this article, we will show you how to fix your bubble in drywall tape.
