Sheetrock Professionals - Texture question?

Question

Here is the deal.. I am a (part time) flooring sub-contractor who has been asked to redo the texture in a couple's (friends of mine) relatively small bathroom. Although I have done my fair share of drywall and texturing work (i.e I have the experience and tools), this job poses a different problem.

The problem pertains to the thick DIY texture that the couple put on the walls. Essentially, it looks as though joint compound was troweled on and swept at a thickness greater than 1/8th of an inch. Now, a few months and three coats of paint later - the texture job has cracked and apparently is not the look the couple is satisfied with.

The question at hand: Is sanding going to be the best option to prep the sheetrock? If so, are there any tested methods to keep the dust down? What would be the best type of sander (belt vs. orbital)?

I do not mind sanding - I just want to make sure this is the most cost effective solution.
Thanks you for your time,

Answer 1

go to a tool rental store. Ask them for a Porter Cable drywall sander and the vaccum attachment. 95% dust free, about $30 a day to rent. Sanding discs cost about $10 apiece. 1 or two should suffice. You will still have to sand some by hand but this should take care of the brunt of the work for you.

Answer 2

I'm wondering if you could carefully induce cracks in the finish with a hammer, and get some water BEHIND the finish. if it would come away in chunks. There would still be some sanding, and perhaps some repair to the paper face of the drywall........but sanding off 20 lbs of drywall mud sounds like a heck of a chore!!
Just a thought.........good luck.......and use a proper respirator!!!!

Answer 3

A simpler method and one that would not require much sanding is to put two skim coats over the rough texture. Do one horizontal then the second vertical. This should get the wall back to fairly smooth. Now you can retexture.