There are many advantages to using drywall in your home:
- it can be painted over leaving a beautiful finish
- it’s more stable than plaster
- drywall is more fire-resistant than other materials
- the surface is much easier to repair, and
- perhaps one of the best aspects of using drywall is that it is cost-effective
This last point can be a sore one however if you have had a job poorly done.
Below we will discuss the key indicators of a poorly done drywall job. It is important when inspecting your walls to pay close attention to the little details because, in the end, they can lead to bigger more difficult issues to fix. Let’s examine exactly what you should be looking for and what may have caused it.
Visible Screw and Nail Heads
In this situation, you will want to look out for small circles on your wall, which are actually the head of a screw or nail. Any screw, nail, or fastener such as tape should be fully covered with drywall compound and sanded. If any of these items are visible – it’s quite possible your drywall job was done poorly.
Visible Joints
Drywall comes in sheets or panels, and these are placed together to cover an entire wall. Under no circumstances should you be able to see where one panel meets the next, or where the wall meets the ceiling. Evidence of visible joints may include the exposed edge of drywall tape from a lack of drywall compound, an indent between two sheets of drywall, bubbles or creases in the drywall tape, or a bump on the wall from excessive drywall compound application.
Uneven Corners
Corners are an important place to inspect when checking for a bad drywall job. Like joints, corners should appear seamless and they should be sharp and straight. Wavy corners, indentations, bubbles, creases, or gaps are all indications that a sloppy job was done. Additionally, after being sealed with a drywall compound, there should be absolutely no visible tape.
Rough Surfaces
If you have smooth walls, it could be easy to spot rough spots that weren’t finished well. Some walls and ceilings are intentionally textured to varying degrees, so it is important to know the desired effect you are going for and to discuss this beforehand with your contractor.
You can look out for rough patches, including:
- Raised drywall compound that didn’t get sanded down enough.
- Scratches where low grit sandpaper wasn’t followed up with high grit sandpaper.
- Splashes of drywall compound that got spilled and never cleaned up.
- Dents or scratches in the drywall that were never repaired.
Dipped Ceilings
This is one of the most important issues to keep an eye out for and should be looked at over time as well, no one wants a collapsed ceiling! Your ceilings are supposed to be flat and stay in place for decades. If your ceiling changes, it could be a sign of a water leak or a bad drywall installation.
Poor Cleanup Practices
Drywall installation is a messy process and produces a lot of dust. The cleanup process is a critical one, as it leaves the walls and room ready for painting and further work. Leftover drywall dust can be damaging to windows and door joints and it can also interfere with your wall paint. In addition to all of these points, good clean-up practices from your contractor are an indication that they are there to do a good job! This is one of the many reasons why Dependable Services continues to get five-star reviews from clients.
Drywall installation is specialized work that takes the right tools, patience, and attention to detail. While you can expect minor flaws in your unfinished attic or garage, don’t put up with major issues that compromise your home’s safety or appearance. If you spot clearly visible joints, fasteners, ridges, or crooked corners, or you are left with a dusty mess, immediately contact our team and get the problems remedied.
Call (954) 793-8898 for your own personalized quote.
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