Good Questions: Why Do My Walls Buckle?

Hello AT,

I live in a 70s Philip Johnson Bldg on Roosevelt Island - I don't know if it's because we are on the water but throughout the bldg, in halls and apts., - the drywall buckles at the seams (vertical, where seam meets seam).

Anything to do about this? Anybody know the cause?

Thanks

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Anyone???

To us it sounds like cheaper drywall construction that is not aging very well and humidity might very well be playing a part. We've often seen the tape rise and show the seam in bathrooms and other humid places. As far as a cure, we expect that stripping the wall down, retaping and replastering is needed. Not fun.

Comments (5)

I'm no expert, but living in Austin where we get that often because our ground swells and retracts...sounds like your building is moving.

posted by lisa2 in austin on April 16th 2007 at 9:06am
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to AT:
since I registered this morning, I have no access to ANY "comments".
it says "comments are loading..." over and over... is that a coincidence or there's something wrong with website?
thanks!

posted by dss on April 16th 2007 at 9:12am
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I tend to agree with Maxwell. In generall drywall joints are supposed to be made with a groove - from the beveled edges of the drywall. The tape can generally be covered with mud and not show the seam. Its possible your seams are butt joints and the builder skimped on mud because of time or maybe inexperience on the drywaller's part. Butt joints are supposed to be mudded to a distance of 12", that way the joint isn't noticeable. The thing to remember about humid ares is that drywall mud is water soluble. A lot of drywall tape has no adhesive - it relies on being pressed into the mud (joint compound) for adhesion. So again, sloppy construction.

As to what to do about it - either learn to refinish, or live with it. It's not hard (physically), but it's not a science, either, it's an art, and it can be a pain. It'll cost thousands to have a contractor redo the seams, and it's not worth the expense.

http://www.easy2diy.com/cm/easy/diy_ht_index.asp?page_id=35720195

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infdrywall/infhandtape.html

That said, you can minimize it with paint and lighting.

Avoid light paint colors and try to avoid letting light hit the walls from the side - the more side light, the more visible the seams will be, due to shadowing.

Dark chocolate color paint is very "in" these days and will really hide those seams, and it's a lot easier and cheaper.

posted by boomer on April 16th 2007 at 12:44pm
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Oh no, cyclons have infiltrated AT!!!

;)

posted by Violetsrose on April 17th 2007 at 3:02am
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This blog is the best!!! - thanks! really good help!!! (it's my bldg on the river with the little "flutes" where drywall seam meets drywall seam throughout the bldg.) Otherwise the design and layout isn't bad - good floors, big floor to ceiling windows (which of course need replacement/the condensation fixed) good ventilation, ample rooms - bathrooms not great. Thanks again!

posted by Chester on April 17th 2007 at 5:07am
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