There is a place on my drywall which is “bowed” out, any ideas?

6 Comments on "There is a place on my drywall which is “bowed” out, any ideas?"

1. soldonjerry

   says:

   January 6, 2013 at 8:33 am

   Well to start, where is the “bow” at, is it on a wall running horizontal or verticle?

   If it is on a wall rinning Horizontal, it is probably a large mud joint and could probably be sanded down or even plastered to blend it to the rest of the wall so that you wouldnt see it.

   If it is on a wall running verticle, it is probably a bowed stud, there are a couple of ways to fix this, but you would have to be experienced to not get hurt or cause more damage, but here goes. You could find the peak of the bow and intersect it with the wall stud, mark it on the wall, go 12 inches above and below it and make a mark. Get a circular saw, set the depth to 2.5 inches and make cuts perpendicular to the stud on all three marks. What you are doing here is taking a notch out of the 2 x 4, a sawblade in width and 2 inches deep so that it will move. You may have to cut twice in the same place to allow the stud to flex back into place, after you do this, you should be able to spring the stud back and straighten the wall, then you have to use drywall mudd to cover your cuts….. MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO OUTLETS AROUND OR WATER PIPES, there may be wires in the wall, check the wall behind it, MOST of the time wires run along the lower side of the wall, so you should be ok, but there are some places that it will run verticle…..

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2. blacklab says:

   January 6, 2013 at 8:26 am

   Agreed on the bowed framing member.Drywall and plaster etc.typically follows the construction footprint. Be mindful of electrical wiring when making a repair of this kind.

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3. Bonno says:

   January 6, 2013 at 8:05 am

   or a bowed stud…. angle cut w/ circular saw & run a drywall screw into the bow

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4. rooster_cruzer says:

   January 6, 2013 at 8:00 am

   I agree with Edward, its probably just a few nails that have come loose. If it was water damage you would be able to see it. Also, it might just be a poor installation job in the first place. Call a sheet rock(dry wall) contractor to come take a look at it and give you an estimate.

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5. mel s says:

   January 6, 2013 at 7:22 am

   A good drywall man will give free estimates because he is very confident in his work. Get a drywall contractor to look at it.

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6. EDWARD H K says:

   January 6, 2013 at 6:31 am

   May not be nailed/screwed properly to studs

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