How to fix water-damaged drywall ceiling joint

You'll need: Drywall screws (possibly), Oil-based quick-drying primer (Kilz original), paper drywall tape, joint compound (details below), a mud pan, 4, 6, and 10 " taping knives, a drywall sander [hand or pole---I'm using one with a vacuum attachment (not necessary)], 150 grit drywall sand paper/screen, medium grit sanding sponge.

Except for the paint, you should find all of these things in the drywall section of your home center.

:51 Peel damaged tape off.
1:25 Scrape all loose paint and compound.
1:45 Reattach drywall if necessary I'm using 1.75 inch drywall screws. Set them so the head is just below the surface of the drywall face, but does NOT actually tear the paper.
1:59 Paint everything with a good quick-drying primer. I prefer an oil-base like Kilz Original. It will help glue down any the edges of the scraped paint, and also seal any yellow/brown water stains that might bleed through.
2:09 Mix up or use premixed joint compound. I'm using Easy Sand 20 because it hardens in about 20 minutes and I'm trying to get more coats on as quickly as possible. If you've never taped drywall before, you probably want to use an Easy Sand 90 (90 minutes to set), or an air drying compound. If you use a premixed compound, you'll want to add a little water to it till it's about the consistency of peanut-butter.
2:20 Cut a piece of drywall tape as long as the crack.
2:32 Use a 4 inch taping knife to fill the crack in the drywall. Lay it relatively thick, and at least as wide as the paper tape.
3:05 Press drywall tape into the wet compound.
3:15 Starting from the middle and working to the ends, take your 4 inch taping-knife and smooth the drywall tape out, pressing firmly enough to squeeze out most (but not all) of the joint compound. It should look nice and flat and smooth. You can wait for this to dry if you want to be cautious, or move directly to the next step if you think you can get it done before the compound starts setting.
3:32 With your 6 inch taping knife, add more joint compound on top of the tape, then smooth most of it back off again with lengthwise motions. There should be enough compound left on the tape just to cover the edges and make the surface completely smooth. Let it set or dry completely.
4:56 Gently scrape the dry joint compound to take off any high spots.
5:50 Apply more joint compound to the the joint with a10 inch taping knife, and finish it smooth.
7:23 Scrape it again when it sets or dries (not before).
Let it dry completely
9:00 Sand with 150 grit paper or screen. Prime and paint
Disclaimer:
If you choose to imitate, duplicate or copy anything you may have observed in these videos, you do so at your own risk. The creator of this content does not take any responsibility for any action taken as a result of the information or advice on this YouTube channel (or other platforms) and shall not have any liability in respect of any injury or damage that may result.
Kilz spray primer, regular paper tape, USG Easy Sand 20 minute compound, a Hyde vacuum sander, and 3M 120 grit sanding block.

[Ryan-kkny]

thank you so much! water from the shower leaked into a vent and caused a bubble. This has helped sm in my repair process.

[Ruger-onry]

Thanks for walking us through it Dave. It looked daunting at first but it sure feels good knowing you can now tackle these issues on your own. Cheers mate.

[johnnydam]

This video makes me wanna hire someone ! I found peeling off the tape annoying enough ! I’ll paint the rest of the walls and make someone skilled do this final ceiling part for me lol

[kevinberthoud]

Thanks Dave. Cookbook. I think even I an do this!!!

[Eternyl_bliss-njse]

I am doing this now just watching the video.... i gave up on the drop cloth going to end up everywhere regardless :D what a mess - after i took the loose parts off it looked like I wasn't the first person to go over the same area.... it goes from single layer of bubbled paint to several layers of compound...do wear a mask though i regret it now.

[tonysoprano]

Great video but the music is extremely annoying

[Giuchini]

It'd be really helpful to put instructions on what youre using/ doing at each step haha. I know you listed them in another comment but do you mind listing it in order? Im having trouble following what youre doing and using without some written instructions on screen as u do it. Great video otherwise though, very helpful!

[bardinkurtis]

Can you touch on why the Kilz and tape? Does the tape hold the mud together better? What's the benefits of putting kilz down first? What if you were not to use either what could happen?

[AngeloLuis]

Is it normal to experience that because we have the same problem also but same to you that no hole on it.

[sacramentocheesehog]

I love this old playstation 1 need for speed music its so perfect :)

[deepsweech]

Hi Dave, great work. I have a question, if it is from water damage, do you need to replace the damaged drywall?

[TopFlightTraining]

A lot will pull of now when wet. Leak was yesterday and just got hone

[chrisrios]

What is your ceiling has texture? How do u get the ending finish to look similar to the textured ceiling?

[mettagok]

Any chance you can post the specific material used in this video for this task?

[LisaSmith-edoi]

Don’t you need to dry that out etc before al of this?

[philluso]

Hey Dave. Thanks for the video. At 1:59, how soon do I have to start putting in the compound after I prime it? Can I do it the next day?

[Michael-urju]

How do you dry it?

I turned on my heater all days to 75, and I blow air into my light fixture instead of cutting a hole from the ceiling.

Do you know how long that will take to dry? I am so worried there will be mold.

[TopFlightTraining]

Does anyone know should I peel when wet or let it dry

[DeepSinghChauhan]

How much it would cost if I outsource this job to some professional?

[DeepSinghChauhan]

Anyone in Austin area to do it for me?