Improper application at the top of the wall may result in loose drywall tape.
The drywall contractor forms a smooth inside corner where the top of the wall meets the ceiling by filling the seam between the panels with joint compound and applying corner tape. When installed correctly, this creates an effortless transition between wall and ceiling and a crisp clean line. If you notice the tape pulling away in this area, it could be due to a number of causes, some of which are simple to fix and others that require more attention.
Inadequate Taping
Joint compound, the wet, semi-solid "mud" used to fill and smooth the joints between drywall panels, shrinks as it dries. To accommodate this, contractors apply multiple thin coats of compound, letting each application dry completely before sanding and applying the next coat. If the contractor applied only one coat or applied a coat that was too thick, the compound can shrink and pull the tape away from the drywall. In this case, scraping off the old tape and re-taping in stages will fix the problem.
Truss Uplift
Trusses are engineered roof members that replace traditional roof rafters. Trusses span large distances, and they're designed to flex, as a unit, if the wood in a single truss moves, usually due to humidity or temperature fluctuations. When truss uplift occurs, it will affect only interior walls, and in addition to the tape pulling loose, you may see a crack between the wall and the ceiling panel. You can try scraping and re-taping, but the problem may recur. The only real fix for truss uplift is to replace the drywall panels on the ceiling near the wall with "floating wall" drywall installation that allows the truss to move without pulling up on the ceiling panel.
Leaks
Water from a leak in the roof or a second-story window can travel along a ceiling joist, moistening the drywall and the tape, causing the tape to come loose and pull away. If a leak is the problem, you'll see a dark yellow stain in the same area where the tape is separating. Re-tape, but only after finding out where the water's coming from and repairing the leak.
Settling
Soil moves and houses shift in response. Settling is more prominent in areas where the soil is unstable, due to soil expansion when wet and contraction when dry. Re-taping the corner between the wall and the ceiling will give your room a fresh look, but the problem may recur. You can minimize settling by directing water away from your foundation. Install guttering and downspouts, and grade your yard so water runs away from the foundation.
Related posts
When mudding and taping a drywall ceiling, take great care with your work to ensure beautiful results.Applying mud and tape to a drywall ceiling is a difficult and time-consuming chore. However, i...
Separation at the seam between a wall and the ceiling of your home is aggravating. There are many possible causes. A house will settle over time which can cause some slight misalignment. It could...
When attaching drywall to the ceiling, it's tempting to slap a coat of drywall compound on the joints, let it dry, then sand and paint. But to get a really smooth finish, take the time to put on a...
Placing drywall often means dealing with walls and ceilings that aren't exactly plumb in all areas. When the ceiling changes height across the length of a wall, a gap between wall and ceiling can...
Fix Cracked Drywall Tape on an Exterior CeilingAn exterior ceiling (one without a story above it) will often have problems with cracks because of the temperature variations that can occur that clo...
