Drywalling is one of the many ways to alleviate eye-catching seams and joint separations in walls. But since it’s not one hundred percent efficient, the chances of generating imperfections, such as tape bubbles, are relatively high.
Drywall tape bubbles after painting are bubbles that result from trapped air pockets between drywall and paint. This formation is one of the common nuisances one can experience after painting.
However, you can easily remove drywall bubbles with a few fundamental techniques. So, read on as I go into great detail on removing drywall tape bubbles and correctly connecting drywall joints if you lack the experience.
How Are Drywall Air Bubbles Formed?
During drywalling, it’s normal for sections to bubble or get loose. But if you fail to insert the compound into the tape correctly, this could leave you with lumps. Drywall air bubbles are also formed when joints are poorly embedded or when walls are sloppily done up, leaving spaces underneath the surface for external air to collect. So, you need to ensure to apply sufficient compound before finalizing with the tape.
Air bubbles can sometimes appear when you utilize an inconsistent compound mix. If the compound is too thin, it will gape easily. And if it’s too thick, spreading it becomes rigorous, allowing oxygen to permeate through the mix with each spread.
You can minimize compound inconsistency by selecting the correct mud for your drywall. If you’re unsure which product to use, I recommend looking into the Dap 10100 Wallboard Joint Compound available on Amazon.
It’s super smooth and moist, making it easy to spread without trapping air bubbles. Furthermore, it is specifically designed to minimize shrinkage during drywall repair, thus significantly reducing bubble formation.
To summarize:
- Inconsistent compound/mud texture results in drywall bubbles.
- Avoid haphazardly spreading the compound to reduce bubbles.
- Failing to properly insert gypsum on loose tape will make it bubble or cause pockmarks.
How To Repair Drywall Bubbles
Repairing drywall bubbles is an easy task that doesn’t take much time. To get started, here’s a list of tools you’ll need for the job:
- Blade or putty knife
- Drywall compound
- Drywall tape
- Paddle
- Drywall trowel
Make Incisions on Bubble Site
Using your blade, identify and cut out drywall sections with bubbles. Start by making a vertical incision from the top to the bottom of the bubble. This will allow the underlying tape to fold, making it easier to open.
However, if the air bubbles don’t stretch across the tape’s whole length, then cut out the parts where you notice the most bubbles. This will create a bubble-free base for you to reinsert joint tape without sanding down the area.
Mix Your Joint Compound Well
Using your drywall joint compound, apply the mud over the exposed drywall area. You’ll need to make sure the mud is well mixed to prevent bubbles from forming again. Once you’re comfortable with your mix’s consistency, prepare the surface for the paste application by clearing dirt and tape residue.
Cover the Exposed DryWall With Compound and Tape
With your knife, spread the mix over the missing tape area. Ideally, it would be best if you covered a larger portion than what the tape previously occupied. This will help improve aesthetics by removing visible marks and lines once the compound dries.
After applying the mud, cut out a sizable tape chunk to fit the section and paste it over the spot. Use your putty knife to evenly place pressure on all sides until the tape is glued in place.
Apply Multiply Coatings Over Tape
After the mud dries, apply a second coating over the tape. Aim for a thin layer like 1/6 inch of compound per coat until it evenly blends with the tape and drywall. Allow the coats to dry before adding another to minimize air bubbles.
Here’s a quick five-minute YouTube video recap tutorial on fixing drywall tape bubbles:
Ways To Prevent Drywall Tape Bubbles Before Installation
It is essential to moisten the drywall tape before installation. Water will help even it out when you’re embedding it. However, ensure not to soak it thoroughly, or you’ll compromise the tape adhesive strength.
Moreover, it’s perfectly okay to over-apply compound as having it ooze down your drywall edges will ensure that it adequately covers all the tape. Just make sure to remove excess spillage from perfectly okay wall sections.
Another thing you could do to minimize air pockets is to buy premixed compounds. They take away the hustle of over-saturated mixes as the consisted is already preselected.
Conclusion
Noticing drywall tape bubbles over your recently finished wall can be frustrating. As long as you stick to this guide, you can quickly rectify this unsightly mess and restore your wall joints into perfect condition without having to worry about drywall tape bubbles forming ever again.
