Will this drywall thing ever end?! - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Dan V. · 10-28-2008, 08:51 PM

As some of you may have read in a previous thread http://www.contractortalk.com/f49/help-save-me-homeowner-who-insists-helping-46849/ I tore out and replaced some drywall that the h.o. supplied that was the wrong thickness. This is part of a remodel job that I'm somewhere in the middle of.

Previous to that, I had removed 4 rooms' worth of popcorn ceiling. Now that the popcorn is gone, h.o.'s wife (h.o.'s in Chicago on a business trip) told me today that she is unhappy with the now-visible seams on the old drywall. Popcorn hides many sins, eh? Anyway, some of the seams are sort of bulging, meaning you can visibly see them. She is so pleased with the repair job I did on hubby's mistake, she now wants me to fix the ceiling seams. When she asked me what it would take to level them out, I told her (since I REALLY don't want to do it) that the best way is to rip it all down and redo it. The original dw installers obviously knew that it would eventually be sprayed with the popcorn texture, and slacked off accordingly on the taping and finish.

She wasn't keen on the replacement idea and asked if I could just build up each side of the seam(s) to level it out and/or make it less noticeable. I said I could certainly try that, but since it's outside the original scope of work, I would have to charge for another week's worth of labor. I also told her that we're essentially putting "lipstick on the pig" and, for the money, the end result will not be as good as a replacement.

She still wants me to try and signed off on the extra week.

I had begun to think that my drywall days were behind me and I'd soon be doing the stuff in my wheelhouse (flooring, cabinet install, tiling the backsplash, etc.)

Any tips, other than throwing mud at it?

As an aside, I gotta hand it to all you pro dw'ers. I don't know how you do this sh!t for a living.

CrpntrFrk · 10-28-2008, 09:01 PM

What type of texture would she like.... if any?

Dan V. · 10-28-2008, 09:17 PM

No texture. They want smooth ceilings.

JumboJack · 10-28-2008, 09:19 PM

I know a guy that could make it look perfect..But he is in Cali....

**Leo G** · 10-28-2008, 09:24 PM

Start getting use to a long knife.

CrpntrFrk · 10-28-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan V.

No texture. They want smooth ceilings.

It sucks but sounds like your just gonna have to float the seams out. Your wanting do get it done quick or your just not wanting to do it? Not sure exactly what the problem is.

Dan V. · 10-28-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

It sucks but sounds like your just gonna have to float the seams out.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I thought.

Leo, guess I'll just whip out my 12 inch.

Where abouts in CT are you?

JumboJack · 10-28-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrpntrFrk

It sucks but sounds like your just gonna have to float the seams out. Your wanting do get it done quick or your just not wanting to do it? Not sure exactly what the problem is.

It is not a hard job for someone that knows what they are doing..

CrpntrFrk · 10-28-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JumboJack

It is not a hard job for someone that knows what they are doing..

True story! I would just wip out my blue line mud boxes and be done in 20 min!

Dan V. · 10-28-2008, 09:34 PM

Oh, I know it's not that hard to do, I'm just tired of drywalling. I primarily do remodels, which ensures a lot of variety. It's rare that I spend more than a week doing the same thing, unless I'm building a complex deck or something.

Dan V. · 10-28-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

I would just wip out my blue line mud boxes and be done in 20 min!

I'll tell ya, it might be worth the investment!

Mellison · 10-29-2008, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan V.

As some of you may have read in a previous thread http://www.contractortalk.com/f49/help-save-me-homeowner-who-insists-helping-46849/ I tore out and replaced some drywall that the h.o. supplied that was the wrong thickness. This is part of a remodel job that I'm somewhere in the middle of.

Previous to that, I had removed 4 rooms' worth of popcorn ceiling. Now that the popcorn is gone, h.o.'s wife (h.o.'s in Chicago on a business trip) told me today that she is unhappy with the now-visible seams on the old drywall. Popcorn hides many sins, eh? Anyway, some of the seams are sort of bulging, meaning you can visibly see them. She is so pleased with the repair job I did on hubby's mistake, she now wants me to fix the ceiling seams. When she asked me what it would take to level them out, I told her (since I REALLY don't want to do it) that the best way is to rip it all down and redo it. The original dw installers obviously knew that it would eventually be sprayed with the popcorn texture, and slacked off accordingly on the taping and finish.

She wasn't keen on the replacement idea and asked if I could just build up each side of the seam(s) to level it out and/or make it less noticeable. I said I could certainly try that, but since it's outside the original scope of work, I would have to charge for another week's worth of labor. I also told her that we're essentially putting "lipstick on the pig" and, for the money, the end result will not be as good as a replacement.

She still wants me to try and signed off on the extra week.

I had begun to think that my drywall days were behind me and I'd soon be doing the stuff in my wheelhouse (flooring, cabinet install, tiling the backsplash, etc.)

Any tips, other than throwing mud at it?

As an aside, I gotta hand it to all you pro dw'ers. I don't know how you do this sh!t for a living.

Dan,
I think when she says that her husband is is in Chicago and she wants no visable seems what she is realy saying is she wants a few round with Super Dan the Remodeling Man.
But seriously, Plaster weld, a few coats of hot mix and a polish coat.
Explain that fixing someones past mistake can be expensive and price it accordingly. She obviously likes your plastering skills so keep her happy.
Mike

**Leo G** · 10-29-2008, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan V.

Where abouts in CT are you?

Near the airport.

boman47k · 10-29-2008, 08:41 AM

A week to float out ceiling seams in 4 rooms? What size rooms?

Dan V. · 10-29-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

I think when she says that her husband is is in Chicago and she wants no visable seems what she is realy saying is she wants a few round with Super Dan the Remodeling Man.

boman47k, I was actually trying to discourage her because I honestly didn't feel like doing it. Based on what I got done today, I'll have it finished by tomorrow and look like a hero. It's 3 fairly good-sized (15x20ish) rooms and a foyer/hallway. I also went around the entire perimeter of each room and repaired/replaced the tape that was coming up.

boman47k · 10-29-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan V.

boman47k, I was actually trying to discourage her because I honestly didn't feel like doing it. Based on what I got done today, I'll have it finished by tomorrow and look like a hero. It's 3 fairly good-sized (15x20ish) rooms and a foyer/hallway. I also went around the entire perimeter of each room and repaired/replaced the tape that was coming up.

Oh, I see.. I thought it might have something to with her breast feeding.

Good man!

You may indeed look like a hero, unless she thinks, ' Um, a weeks pay for 2 days work? Maybe I should have fed the baby more'.

I hope more of the old tape does not come up after you leave. If you floated the whole seam, surely it will not.

Dan V. · 10-29-2008, 05:11 PM

I'll only charge for the time it takes. I just floated the week hoping it was a deterrent. I almost fell over when she agreed to it.

Snobnd · 10-29-2008, 07:46 PM

I would use a 14" 3rd coat trowel on each side of the seams with 45 min durabond - then hit the seam down the middle of each seam- Now most of the seams should look pritty good. now switch to a 20" flat trowel 2 coats over the whole ceiling 1 direction (north to south) then go east to west. with reg compound ( I like purlple top Lafarge)

Hope that helps

CrpntrFrk · 10-29-2008, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan V.

I'll tell ya, it might be worth the investment!

For sure. I would shop around to find what fits your budget and your hands best. If I lived in Phoenix I probably would rent that stuff. If something happens to it you just take it back and the set you up with a new one. But if you are wanting to buy I like ALL-WALL.com. Plan to spend around $250 to $300 per tool. Good luck with the rest of your project.

matt grisham · 10-29-2008, 10:55 PM

Mite try cuting out high spots, And add some screws. Befor throwing more mud on a hump