Bad drywall areas can be either repaired or replaced.
Bad drywall jobs are usually caused by the taping and floating (installing mesh tape and joint compound) being applied incorrectly. The drywall can sag over time (especially ceiling drywall) if not enough screws or nails have been installed. This can prove to be dangerous if it falls out of place, as drywall is heavy. Correct taping and floating is important, as it seals the room and acts as insulation and a fire retardant.
Instructions
Fixing/Removing
1. Nail sagging drywall to the wall studs using drywall nails. Use screws for sagging ceiling drywall. Install the nails or screws into the wall studs/ceiling joists, 8 inches apart.
2. Cut out the drywall problem area if it is beyond repair. First locate the wall stud/ceiling joist on each side of the area. Run a pencil line along the center of the studs/joists, resulting in two parallel lines. Join the lines at each end, 6 inches away from the problem area. This will create either a penciled square or oblong shape.
3. Run a tradesman's knife along the lines several times until the drywall is cut through.
4. Remove the problem area. Use the removed drywall as a template to cut a new piece of drywall the same size. Use 1/2-inch-thick drywall for walls and 5/8-inch-thick drywall for ceilings. Place the new drywall into the hole and attach it to the wall with drywall nails. Use screws for ceilings.
Taping and Floating
5. Pull away all old mesh tape if the area hasn't been replaced. Apply mesh tape to all drywall joints, sticky side to the wall. Make sure all tape is secure to the wall by pressing it with your fingers.
6. Pour some joint compound into a drywall tray. Scoop some compound out of the tray. Apply a thin layer over all taped areas, as well as all screw/nail heads. Feather out the compound. Smear it past the edge of the tape onto the wall/ceiling, decreasing the thickness as you go. Let the compound dry overnight.
7. Sand all dried compound so that all bumps and ridges are gone. If any screw/nail heads or tape can still be seen, apply a second layer of compound and sand it after it has dried.
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