- 1). Cut out the old, peeling tape from the wall, using a utility knife. Cut out about 12 inches on either side of the damage.
- 2). Sand the area with a drywall sanding pad with medium-grade sanding pape. Sand close to the surface of the drywall board without cutting into the drywall paper on the board. Brush the loose sand particles off the joint with a whisk broom. Vacuum up the drywall dust you created by sanding.
- 3). Apply an even layer of joint compound to the cracked joint with a 5-inch drywall taping knife. Smooth the compound with the taping knife so there are no bubbles or gaps. Extend the joint compound about 2 inches beyond the area you cut on either end.
- 4). Cut a new piece of drywall tape with the utility knife a slight bit shorter than the missing section of tape. Lay the new tape onto the joint compound so that it adheres to the joint while making sure no wrinkles or air bubbles are in the tape.
- 5). Apply another layer of the joint compound over top of the new drywall tape, using the taping knife as you did before. Make sure you don't move, tear or wrinkle the drywall tape. Let the compound dry overnight.
- 6). Sand the dry joint compound with the sanding pad and a medium-grade paper. Carefully scrape away any raised bits of joint compound with the edge of the taping knife. Brush off sand particles with the whisk broom. Apply another layer of joint compound over the area and let it dry completely (this may take a day or more).
- 7). Sand the final layer of joint compound so that it is smooth and level with the rest of the wall. Use a fine grade of sanding paper and then a very fine grade on the final sanding to feather the compound so it blends with the wall.
- 8). Vacuum up the drywall dust from sanding, brush off the sand particles from the wall with the whisk broom and paint the area to match the rest of the wall.
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