Stud behind drywall?

Question

I re-did my garage recently and made it into a dining room. I was a complete novice and some things aren't exactly "perfect." One of the things is that there is one part of the wall where I didn't have a stud located behind a joint between two pieces of drywall. In my haste to get it complete, I simply thought that the tape would make up for it. (Dumb, I know.) Now, the wall is cracked down that side, and I need to fix it. Is there anything I can do besides tear out that piece of drywall and place a stud there in the wall? I really don't want to do that.

Answer 1

sorry, but it was a big mistake. live and learn. tear it out and fix it right.

Answer 2

There may be a way to keep from having to put in another stud. I have never tried it and invite more comments if I'm wrong, but maybe the ends of the drywall can be trimmed off, straight downward with a sharp knife, at each of the two studs on either side of the crack. Then insert a narrow piece of sheet rock to fit the empty spot, and THEN use tape on the two new joints. Ah...I edit this reply to say I see Mr. Wrkey says the same thing. Try what he says.

Answer 3

Sorry.. you're pretty much stuck on doing just that. You can however reduce the amount of drywall you have to replace. here's how:

1. Locate the studs on each side of the joint in question.
2. 'Pop a line' or use a straight edge to draw a line from floor to ceiling over the CENTER of each stud.
3. Use a 'box cutter' or similiar tool and cut along this line.
4. Remove the two pieces of dry wall from the joint area exposing just one 16" section of wall between the two studs.
5. Measure and cut the appropriate size piece of drywall.
6. Place the new section and nail in place.
7. Tape, float and paint.


Sorry there isn't a better solution. Well.. actually there is...

Do you have a REALLY tall piece of furniture to place in front of it?

Good luck and I hope this helps!

Answer 4

Is this an outside wall with insulation? I'd guess it is, so this idea might not work so well. But you could try cutting some holes in the dry wall at the seam and try slipping a board behind the joint and fasten it with screws. You might be able to find seam backing battens made for these joints, there are battens made with a shallow groove in the middle for joining the but ends of dry wall panels, the groove causes square ends to pull in slightly so one gets a joint kind of like the tapered edge joints. Since installing these is an extra step, they are used more on high end work so they not be too easy to find, but you could look. In your case, a piece of flat 3/8 or 1/2" plywood would probably work as well. If you try this, be sure to place the backer so that it will support the patch you'll need for the holes you cut.

Answer 5

There are two possible fixes. The sturdiest, provided your shoulder mount is wider than the space between studs would be to drive a nail into each of the studs and then screw picture hanging wire into the back of the mounting backing and hang the wire over the nails. The second would be to go to the home store and get toggle bolts designed specifically made for dry-wall. But make sure to use two, spaced out evenly to share the load using the wire as described above.

Answer 6

Buy a 4'X8' sheet of white formica.
Attach it to the drywall with liquid nail.
It will strengthen your existing weak spot and will be hardly noticed.
You can also use it to write reminders (oil changes, lawn fertilization, air conditioning filter changes, water heater clean-out ect.)
Use the washable markers, and it will wipe off easy.
Good luck

Answer 7

Doubtful. Those edges will continue to move with temperature differences. This is whats causing the cracks.