As your house ages, some parts of the premises will wear and tear. And one of the most common signs of aging that you’d observe is the covering of drywall seams of the ceiling is beginning to peel off.
So how can we hide the ceiling’s drywall seams?
Initially, you can use paper tape and an all-purpose joint compound to cover drywall seams.
In this article, I will share more details on fixing a drywall ceiling showing in ceiling and making it more lasting.
Is it Normal To See Drywall Seams In the Ceiling?
The drywall seams in the ceiling are a sign of several factors, from improper installation to natural causes such as wear and tear. Depreciation is natural, especially if the house is aging or you are renovating the premises.
Early visible signs that you have not properly installed the drywall seams without them showing are the coverings are bubbling, cracks, and unevenness.
The sight of the drywall seams peeling off affects the aesthetics of the interior design of the room. You can leave it as is if the apparent flaw does not bother you or if they are not visible at all.
But if you are conscious about the aesthetics of the area, then the recommendation is that you may have to cover them up using paper tape and an all-purpose joint compound that you can find in your local home depot.
In addition, covering up the drywall seams enhances the integrity of your home and improves your ceilings’ resistance against fire. It also prevents water damage and infiltration of pests, and the overgrowth of molds.
Why Are Drywall Seams Showing In The Ceiling?
The following are the main factors that cause the issue of ceiling cracking and exposing the drywall seams.
Aging House
The first possible explanation for why the drywall seams suddenly show is due to the natural process of wear and tear. The cover of the ceiling depreciates as it ages and peels off.
Settling House
Aside from an aging house, a newly established or renovated home can also lead to cracks in the ceiling as the house settles. They are normal in most cases, especially if the house is old, and the bubble and unevenness should be easily fixed when you attend to them immediately.
But if other issues like cracks occur and show the drywall seams, then other factors might be causing the problem.
Improper Installation of the Drywall
Another common reason for the drywall seams showing in the ceiling was not installed properly. Once you notice that the covers are peeling off, cracking, or starting to expose the drywall seams, then you have to address the problem immediately and replace the covers if necessary.
One example of improper installation is mistakenly using mesh instead of paper tape. The problem with mesh tapes is that they are unreliable and cracks when exposed to extreme heat or cold.
How Can I Fix Visible Drywall Seams In The Ceiling?
The following is the step-by-step guideline for fixing visible drywall seams in the ceiling.
First Step: Fill the Cracks with the All-Purpose Joint Compound
Prepare the all-purpose joint compound to fill up the cracks causing the drywall seam of the ceiling to be visibly unpleasing. You have to apply the agent first before you sand them.
You must specifically look for the “all-purpose” joint compound. And this is because such a specific will come in handy, especially if the area you are applying to is humid.
In addition, you will also need to apply a topping compound to seal the joint compound in place.
Second Step: Apply Paper Tape
The purpose of paper tape is to reinforce the compounds and conceal the drywall seam completely.
The paper tape ensures the durability of the ceiling and ensures that it will last another year or so.
Again, it is important that you only use paper tape and refrain from using mesh because they are not reliable. They usually stiffen when exposed to water and heat, forming cracks.
Third Step: Sand the Drywall Seam
The last step of the repair is to sand the ceiling to make it smoother and conform the paper tape to the texture of the surrounding walls. It also ensures that you remove or hide the flaws and make them invisible when applying for paintwork.
You also have to remember that not all sandpapers are the same. And the variety of sandpapers depends on the level of work needed to smoothen out the surface of the ceiling fully.
Typically, 150-grit sandpaper is the best option for this purpose.
Lightly sand the ceiling, and then use a sanding sponge to remove the debris and dust from the sanding process.
Fourth Step: Paint the Ceiling
After the repairs, you can paint the ceiling and the walls according to your preference. Paint the ceiling as you normally do with objects—apply primer before painting the area.
You can also add other decorations like wallpaper if you like.
What Is the Best Paint To Hide Drywall Seams?
The best option of paint that can effectively hide drywall seams in the ceiling is matte paint.
Premium Ceiling Paint for Home Interiors
And this is because it ensures to concealment of the flaws from the patch and primed ceiling wall.
Paints with high gloss are not the best option because the shine from the compound makes the imperfections prominent and unpleasing.
Will Paint Hide Drywall Imperfections?
Yes. Paint can hide imperfections from the drywall. And this is especially true if you use matte paint instead of glossy paint.
