Concerned about protruding drywall seams on a 20-year-old wall next to a structural brick exterior – any advice on what to do next?
Asked by Anthony Harris 
6 months ago
Last Updated: May 14, 2024
I just noticed that the seams on the drywall panel are sticking out a bit. Pretty sure it wasn’t like that before. There’s a brick wall behind it, so I’m a little hesitant to start tearing into it without a clear idea of what’s going on. The exterior of the wall doesn’t look like it’s bulging or anything. Any thoughts on this? Oh, also, I’ve been in this house for about 5 years, and the wall has been up for around 20 years. The house itself is from 1910.
Over time, your home naturally expands and contracts due to various factors like weather, humidity, and settling. If you notice cracks in the walls, it’s usually not a structural issue. I wouldn’t recommend tearing open a wall to investigate. Often, the cracks may not even line up with the drywall seams. Just patch them up with some mud and paint.
Grab a 6-foot level to double-check for any bowing.
Trim the ridge with a razor blade, creating a shallow groove instead. Secure with tape and mud, then check for any reappearance.
Apply a few extra layers of mud gently to even it out, starting with a thin layer and taking your time.
Why are the seams placed in that spot… it was not done correctly
Thanks for the input everyone, it looks like there’s no need for excessive concern. It’s reassuring. We’ve been in this house for 5 years and this drywall has likely been here for 20 years. Just so you know, the house was built in 1910
No need to stress, just sand and mud it once more to improve the appearance
Not enough mud was applied behind the tape, causing it to become loose. Removing the old tape, reapplying, and painting is necessary.
Are you unsure if it’s plaster or drywall?
Is working on drywall.
Is doing well. It’s easier to repair.
Try not to pay attention
This might be an old patch where they didn’t use proper support. Fluctuations in temperature could be causing it to crack. 🤔
Some drywall installers may cut corners and use minimal screws or nails, potentially leading to issues in the future.
Do you think it would really take 20 years for this to happen, ?
I agree with . When nails are used for hanging items on walls, they can eventually come loose due to temperature fluctuations. That’s why it’s recommended to use 1-1/4″ screws instead of 2″. Using longer screws can lead to them popping out, especially in areas where the temperature changes significantly between seasons.
Sometimes houses shift a little, no matter how old they are. It’s not necessarily a sign of a major issue. It depends on how your house was constructed and the type of soil and foundation it sits on. All houses experience some shifting, which doesn’t automatically mean there’s a structural problem. You can wait it out to see if it corrects itself, or if you prefer to address it, carefully cut and remove the tape from the wall, then reapply new tape in that section. Personally, I’d probably wait it out for a bit.
Try using a brand new blade in your utility knife to carefully cut alongside the raised tape. Take a peek underneath to see what’s going on. It seems like the paper tape has come loose from the wall in those spots, so you just need to retape those areas.
Trim off any loose sections, use fiberglass reinforced tape for taping (avoid mesh fiberglass or standard paper tape), apply mud, sand, prime, and paint
It won’t crack again for sure, I’ve seen this method work really effectively