Drywall tape lines beginning to show in the bathroom?

Question

So we're thinking about remodeling the bathroom with new paint, new tile, new tub, and new countertops. What worries me is that we're starting to see the tape lines on the walls. Is this something to be worried about? I was thinking about maybe sanding them down, apply a coat of primer and new coat of texture. Would this be enough?

Answer 1

Considering that you are remodeling your bathroom,I guess it is safe to assume that your house is most likely a tad on the older side.Since you are now 'inspecting' your bathroom ,as you are going to be getting yourselves new bathroom accessories,you are most likely looking at your walls a little more critically than in times gone by.I would say the tape lines (joints) have probably been there for a long time and you are just noticing them now....most likely not something for you to worry to much about.Bathrooms have more moisture in them than other rooms,and with the cycle of moisture(steam from the shower and bath) making your walls damp,and then drying out,sometimes joints become more noticeable over time.
You have 2 choices.Fix it,or leave it.Probably took a long time for you to notice to begin with.
Since you mention that you may have to apply a new coat of texture,that indicates your walls are already textured.If you want to fix this you have a lot of work ahead of ya.
Are you seeing just one thin line in the center of the wall?Is it shrunken in?Or has it bulged out?Push the tape in a few places and see if it is solid,or does it move cause there is air underneath it?


If you want things to look good,you have scrape (or sand if you can get through the paint)the entire wall down and make it smooth.If you just try to sand and fix the joint only ,the chances of you retexturing the wall in those areas so that it matches the existing texture properly,and so it looks esthetically pleasing,are slim in the hands of non professional.

If your just seeing a thin line in the middle of the wall thats shrunken in..after you smooth the wall off from the existing texture,fill that line with some compound.(and any other imperfections)if you have to scrape that wall..you'll most likely gouge it a bit....scrape the loose paper off those gouges and fill them too.
If there is a line showing thats bulged a little you may be able to fix it similarily.If its hard,you may be able to fill over top of that line.with compound and sand smooth.

If there is any air in behind those tapes,peel them off and apply new ones.Fill any cracks behind the old tapes,so that you minimize having air behind your freshly applied tape.Air bubbles ARE your enemy.

However you do it....take a look and make the calls you have to to get the walls smooth before you texture.

I could type in how to texture......but this is way long enough as it is...anything else, or if you have more [e-mail]

Answer 2

You don't want to sand down tape lines, you want to apply dope/drywall compound over a vast area and then have it thinned out, effectively covering the tape and creating a smooth area.

It sounds like someone either didn't apply enough dope or, more than likely, it was over-sanded at some point.

Sanding and then priming is only going to cause two-inch long uneven areas/humps where the 2" (I assume) drywall tape runs over the seams.

Hope that helps,

Columbus Concierge.

Answer 3

the best way to solve this if you want to do it the cheap way is to peal the tape off, and re-tape. or if all your seeing is the lines and the tape isn't loose you can just go over it with some hot mud, sand it so it blends in, and then retexture. if your changing everything in the bathroom it migh be a good idea and gut it, hang new sheetrock(green board inside bathroom).

Answer 4

While remodeling, install a heavy duty exhaust fan. This will remove excess moisture and that is what is causing your tape to come loose.

Answer 5

Yes I would sand it down and apply more mudd or spackle and redo those steps a few times until the surface is nice and smooth, then I would prime it and paint it.

Answer 6

PUTTY PUTTY PUTTY!! See if you can remove the tape completely and if there is indeed a gap there, putty it, sand it prime it, and paint!! Go for it and best of luck to ya!