Because we’re experts at roofing, siding, and gutters… we see and repair a lot of drywall jobs for our customers when there’s water damage. Here’s a quick article on how to prepare and fix your own uneven drywall issues in your home.
If you’ve been staring at that uneven spot on the wall for a while, it may be time for a skim coat. Wall skimming is not always an easy skill to master for the average homeowner. With practice, anyone can succeed at making their uneven drywall into a smooth, flat canvas.
What is a skim coat?
Drywall professionals use a skim coat to hide imperfect taping jobs and make walls super smooth for the application of satin and gloss paints that reflect light and make unevenness stand out. Some consider skimming walls a job for the professionals who use hawks and trowels. But if the job is small or you just want to try your hand at it, here are the four basic steps to skimming uneven drywall the weekend warrior way.
Supplies
- Drywall primer
- All-purpose joint compound
- Heavy nap paint roller (½ inch+)
- Squeegee knife
- Mud pan
- Damp rag
- 120-grit sandpaper.
1. Prep
Prepare the walls by coating the entire area with water-based, stain-sealing drywall primer to promote better adhesion of the drywall mud. If your wall is riddled with holes, fill them with joint compound and allow to harden before skimming. Allow the primer to dry completely before moving ahead.
2. Roll
Mix the all-purpose joint compound to the consistency of mayonnaise.
Using a heavy nap paint roller (at least ½ inch), roll the mud directly onto the wall in a thin, even coat working in 4 ft. x 4ft. stacked sections. Because you will be applying multiples layers, there is no need to fill in dips with a thick coat.
3. Smooth
With a damp rag and mud pan handy, smooth the mud with a squeegee knife. Begin from one of the top corners and move the knife downward, overlapping each vertical pass. Using the rag, wipe the knife clean of excess mud every few strokes.
As you move to the bottom of the stack sections, repeat the same process starting from the bottom corner and pulling the knife upward. When the compound makes a ridge between the two sections, use a putty knife to scrape it away horizontally.
4. Layer
Depending on the severity of the imperfections, your wall may require 2-4 layers. Let each layer dry completely before moving onto the next. Move the squeegee knife horizontally on the second coat. Trowel every successive coat perpendicular to the last.
5. Sand
Hopefully, this drywall skimming method has left you with very few peaks and valleys. To finish the wall and prep it for paint, sand the wall with 120-grit sandpaper to give it the finishing touch.
