Re-hang drywall or leave it alone?

Question

A 5/8" - 12 foot drywall was inadvertently hung above a 1/2" drywall in a bedroom of my future house. Someone plans on using a wider piece of tape to cover the incongruent seams, claiming I won't be able to tell the difference. Are there other reasons why I should re-hang it with the appropriate 1/2" drywall or should I leave it be?

Just to clarify: The 5/8" drywall is the upper half of a bedroom WALL, not ceiling.

Answer 1

Well, if you can hang some molding up, to hide it, I dont see why you wouldnt leave it alone..

But, if not, then I would definetely rehang the drywall using the "right stuff", so that the next occupants, (figuring you will probably sell eventually), will not be saying that they want it "corrected" because YOU didnt do the right thing!!

Do it while your young and capable of it, and not when you "have to" when your older and have to pay some one to do it, because all the aches and pains you have then, will prohibit you from doing so...

I wish you well..

Jesse

Answer 2

Miss Lady I agree with uncle Bob, Make the installer change it. I have been hanging drywall since 1981 and I know how much of a pain it is to try to hide a factory seam that has a butt end of the drywall hung up to it. You just don't do it. Now 5/8ths drywall up to 1/2 inch??? What was the installer thinking? How could this not be noticed. I would make him take it down and put up the right piece of drywall and then tape it out smooth with a 3 coat finish ready for painting.
Regards, Ammoconfidential

Answer 3

I am assuming that a 5/8" sheet is but against a 1/2" sheet...
If this is the correct assumption, I don't think its a great idea. I have have seen problems with people that do seems with the same size pieces of drywall. especially on a ceiling. When light hits it at the correct angle, you will always see it, especially in a humid environment, the house will shift, and humidity will also bring it out eventually unless the person applying the "mud" is really good. Most people are in a hurry, especially doing a patch job. If there will be texture on the ceiling, then it wont be much of an issue, because texture tends to hide all the little imperfections.
Best of luck...
Joe

Answer 4

Do not just let it be. I would re-hang the entire ceiling with the proper 5/8" Drywall. Any good drywaller or contractor should always use 5/8" on ceilings.

Answer 5

Definitely rehang if you can't find 1/8" drywall to cover the 1/2" drywall. The difference in thickness cannot be taped and spackled well enough to be unnoticeable.

Answer 6

Stop now and fix it right, drywall is cheap, its the labor to finish it and try to hide the mistake that gets expensive. A 1/8th inch difference over a 12 foot long seam is difficult to conceal. If trim, cabinets, etc. are ever put on this wall, misery compounds.
Jim - www.mrinspector.net

Answer 7

Definitely needs to be changed,it will be extremely difficult to hide this problem.
And you don't need 5/8' on the ceiling.1/2' will be sufficient if the ceiling was strapped properly.
The only time we use 5/8" is when building codes dictate it.Or if it is a commercial building which requires fire code 5/8" drywall.
You should tell the drywaller you want it changed,if he is reputable,he will change it on general principal.
Good Luck!

Answer 8

Actually the appropriate thickness for ceilings is 5/8" especially if the joists or trusses are at 24' centers. However I would make the contractor change this out to match the rest of the ceiling. It is true that some times the joints can be floated out to match and no one will notice, but YOU WILL and it will bug you for the rest of the time you live there. It's not your mistake but the contractors, MAKE HIM CHANGE IT!! at no charge

Answer 9

I agree it will be noticable and it will probably bug you in the long run...unluss you maybe cover the seam with some molding. Is it too high/low for molding to look good right there?

Then re-hang. Drywall isn't that difficult. But it will be difficult later...after furniture/carpeting/paintings/paint/more are in place...

Answer 10

This sounds like a butch job to me and I would get it fixed before I moved in. I've had to deal with your situation and no amount of tape or mud Will ever get this to look right. If this was the case then everyone would use whatever thicknesses struck their fancy. so unless you want a permanent eyesore pull that half inch piece out.