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Fix cracked joint compound eselk2003 06-28-2008
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Posted by on June 28, 2008, 4:23 pm
I'm having trouble finding an answer to this because I keep finding
topics on "fix cracked drywall with joint compound", but I want to fix
cracked joint compound. Thanks for any help.

I took out my bath tub and replaced with a tile shower about 6 months
ago. I put up hardibacker and it didn't quite line-up with the rest
of the existing drywall. It wasn't too bad, I thought, only off by
about 1/8". I applied tape and drywall compound to make up the
difference. Pretty much as soon as it dried, it was cracked all
over. The cracks look like a spider web pattern (pretty much
random). I secured the heck out of the hardibacker so I don't think I
have movement, I think maybe I just applied the drywall compound too
thick, or otherwise incorrectly. It was pre-mixed, so it wasn't that
I mixed it incorrectly.

Anyway, I'm wondering if I can apply another thin layer over the top,
or if it will just continue to crack? Do I need to apply a mesh, or
something? Or do I need to rip out the drywall and start over. No
way I'm ripping out the hardibacker, since that would mean redoing the
tile... I'd do wood paneling, or tile the whole bathroom before I do
that.

O-ya, and if anyone can point me to a web-site (with pictures would be
great) with info on this topic, that would be awsome!

Posted by Norminn on June 28, 2008, 4:37 pm
eselk2003@gmail.com wrote:

>I'm having trouble finding an answer to this because I keep finding
>topics on "fix cracked drywall with joint compound", but I want to fix
>cracked joint compound. Thanks for any help.
>
>I took out my bath tub and replaced with a tile shower about 6 months
>ago. I put up hardibacker and it didn't quite line-up with the rest
>of the existing drywall. It wasn't too bad, I thought, only off by
>about 1/8". I applied tape and drywall compound to make up the
>difference. Pretty much as soon as it dried, it was cracked all
>over. The cracks look like a spider web pattern (pretty much
>random). I secured the heck out of the hardibacker so I don't think I
>have movement, I think maybe I just applied the drywall compound too
>thick, or otherwise incorrectly. It was pre-mixed, so it wasn't that
>I mixed it incorrectly.
>
>Anyway, I'm wondering if I can apply another thin layer over the top,
>or if it will just continue to crack? Do I need to apply a mesh, or
>something? Or do I need to rip out the drywall and start over. No
>way I'm ripping out the hardibacker, since that would mean redoing the
>tile... I'd do wood paneling, or tile the whole bathroom before I do
>that.
>
>O-ya, and if anyone can point me to a web-site (with pictures would be
>great) with info on this topic, that would be awsome!
>
>
Google knows.......
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/how_to/4224995.html

If you want more sites, search on ' repair cracks "drywall compound" '
(type in only what is
between the single quotes). Lot of hits.

Posted by Mike Paulsen on June 28, 2008, 6:57 pm
eselk2003@gmail.com wrote:
(snip)

> only off by
> about 1/8". I applied tape and drywall compound to make up the
> difference. Pretty much as soon as it dried, it was cracked all
> over. The cracks look like a spider web pattern (pretty much
> random).

Premixed all-purpose (and to a lesser extent, lightweight) joint
compound will shrink as it dries. If you put on too heavy a coat you can
get cracks in the compound as you describe, although I wouldn't expect
it to occur at 1/8" thick.

If the mud seems to be well adhered and otherwise sound, applying
another coat of mud (or two) should take care of the problem. There's no
need to apply tape or mesh.

Posted by =?ISO-8859-1?Q?=22=3C=3C=3C=5F on June 28, 2008, 9:24 pm
I know it's a little late now, but they make a small, flexible, plastic
trim piece for just that application. Kinda looks like a miniature
version of "J-Channel" that is used on siding applications. I got some
recently at Home Depot for just a few $$$ and used it to terminate
drywall at the fiberglass shower enclosure in my shop .. .. it worked great.

That sai .. another coat of compound will probably fix your situation.
If you want a bit better cure, dig out the cracked stuff, and get some
dry powder compound that you mix with water just before application...
It "cures" rather than "dries" and is much less prone to crack.

eselk2003@gmail.com wrote:
> I'm having trouble finding an answer to this because I keep finding
> topics on "fix cracked drywall with joint compound", but I want to fix
> cracked joint compound. Thanks for any help.
>
> I took out my bath tub and replaced with a tile shower about 6 months
> ago. I put up hardibacker and it didn't quite line-up with the rest
> of the existing drywall. It wasn't too bad, I thought, only off by
> about 1/8". I applied tape and drywall compound to make up the
> difference. Pretty much as soon as it dried, it was cracked all
> over. The cracks look like a spider web pattern (pretty much
> random). I secured the heck out of the hardibacker so I don't think I
> have movement, I think maybe I just applied the drywall compound too
> thick, or otherwise incorrectly. It was pre-mixed, so it wasn't that
> I mixed it incorrectly.
>
> Anyway, I'm wondering if I can apply another thin layer over the top,
> or if it will just continue to crack? Do I need to apply a mesh, or
> something? Or do I need to rip out the drywall and start over. No
> way I'm ripping out the hardibacker, since that would mean redoing the
> tile... I'd do wood paneling, or tile the whole bathroom before I do
> that.
>
> O-ya, and if anyone can point me to a web-site (with pictures would be
> great) with info on this topic, that would be awsome!
>

Posted by on June 29, 2008, 10:36 pm
> I know it's a little late now, but they make a small, flexible, plastic
> trim piece for just that application. =A0 Kinda looks like a miniature
> version of "J-Channel" that is used on siding applications. =A0 I got som=
e
> recently at Home Depot for just a few $$$ and used it to terminate
> drywall at the fiberglass shower enclosure in my shop .. .. it worked gre=
at.
>
> That sai .. another coat of compound will probably fix your situation. =
=A0
> If you want a bit better cure, dig out the cracked stuff, and get some
> dry powder compound that you mix with water just before application...
> It "cures" rather than "dries" and is much less prone to crack.

Thanks to all who replied... never had such consistant answers before,
I guess my repair path is obvious this time, awsome! Of course, now
if it doesn't work, I'll really be shocked =3D]

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