How to I get the valleys out of my drywall or does it matter?

Question

I just finished mudding my drywall and the area where the base cabinets will but up against the wall is wavy going in and out like some of the studs are sticking out farther than others. I put my level to the wall and Its more than 1/8" inch difference in some areas. Not flush at all. How should I correct this?

Answer 1

I'm seventeen and have been doing this all summer with my dad...

Put mud on the wall where the wall is recessed.  Then with a larger (10 inch wide) trowel, taper the mud until the wall is as close to level as possible.

I'm sure it isnt too big a problem if the wall is bowed behind cabinets, because no one will see the wall anyway, but mudding the wall is the best option here.

Obviously this is just a quick fix... The best option would be to take the sheetrock off and adjust the studs with a hammer, but that isnt necessary here.

Hope I hoped you out, pal!

Answer 2

The cause of this is the improper crowning of the studs prior to installation, its something I come across all the time.

Best way would be take level and lay it horizontal and see how much play is in the wall. The reason this is because the joint was not tapered out wide enough therefore the mud is collected in teh middle. It could be because the coats were to thick, you need to take the joint 2-3 times the width it is now, scraping the middle down completly only adding to each side. Use a hot mud(fast set) where it will set up real quick, take the level and compare the difference. All walls are not flush, its a illusion because the mud is tapered out gradually.

   If your still not satisfied with how it locks in, then scribe it out and sand along the line until its flush. silicone caulk will give you a perfect fit.  

Answer 3

Just put your cabinets up you may have to use shims to keep your cabinets level though.you don't have to mud it,no ones going to see it,it could have happened while framing the wall studs always keep the crowns of the 2x4s out ,one out and one in cause waves, best of luck

Answer 4

Paint will help this to be less noticeable but it will not fix the problem.  

The problem is with the studs, not the drywall.  This is not going to be something that you can fix easily.  The best way to fix it is to rip off the drywall (sucks, I know) and smack your hammer at the base and top of each stud that sticks out too far, or shim (along the whole length) any studs that are too far in.  Once you can run your level over the studs without the wobble then you know it's flat.  The longer your level is the better this will be.  Once you've done this and you hang new drywall it will be a perfectly straight wall.

Answer 5

You don't really need to because when you put your counter tops on and the back splash, you caulk the top of the back splash and it will not be a problem. You would be surprised at how many walls are wavy and out of plumb. But if you want to, the first answer is good.

Answer 6

Snap a chalkline (horizontal) on the wall just about where your backsplash will be. Now get a 12" wide drywall knife and apply joint compound to it and make passes to fill in these valleys. Go from below the line 4-5 inches and up past it about 4-5". Make a couple of passes letting each dry and sand them out. You can fine tune it by holding your level against the wall to fill it in. This is normal and actually an 1/8" is not bad. A good painter could caulk and run finish coat down on the caulk bead to where you would never see it.

But if you want a tight fit you either have to do it with drywall mud, or scribe the counter top to fit the wall. This takes a belt sander to  sand out scribe marks on the top of the backsplash.

You can decide which method to use.

Good Luck