How To Fill Gap In Drywall Between Wall And Ceiling?

Q: How big of a gap is acceptable in drywall?

In drywall, the gap can be as much as 1/4th of an inch. It is impossible to leave any space between the drywall. You can easily fill these little spaces with joint compounds and tape.

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Finishing drywall work with sheer perfection is a tough job. It can go wrong no matter how many times you’ve done this or if you’ve appointed a pro.

The uneven corners and the extra inches of gap between the ceiling and the wall, in particular, can ruin the whole look. So, how to fill gap in drywall between wall and ceiling?

The best way to fill a narrow gap is by putting joint compound and drywall tape on it. If the gap is too wide, you can use drywall tape, trims, or crown moldings. But, if you can manage, try to fill the gap by reorganizing the drywall sheets.

Let’s dig further into it.

Why Is There A Gap In Drywall Between The Wall And The Ceiling?

In most cases, the finishing on the drywall work can be far from perfect. This is especially because most people get the measurement wrong. The installation process has to be spot-on to avoid the gap between the ceiling and the wall.

Many people often make the mistake of installing drywall on the wall before the ceiling. This leaves them in a state of uncertainty regarding the amount of space that should be left for the ceiling drywall.

When you’ve taken the measurements and cut the drywall sheets according to them, it’d seem one hundred percent accurate, theoretically. But if you’re not an expert, you’ll certainly make a mess.

Another common reason for this issue is uneven walls. Your garage walls may not be perfectly identical in terms of measurements. So, when you’re all done hanging the drywall, you may notice that you fell short in some places.

You can read How To Drywall Around Garage Door For A Smooth Finish

5 Steps To Gap In Drywall Between The Wall And The Ceiling!

1) Filling The Gap With Joint Compounds

The best way to fill these gaps is by applying tape and mud (drywall joint compounds) to them. There are multiple types of mud and tape available for this purpose.

Mesh tape and plastic tape are two of them. You can find some instant joint compounds like 90-minute mud, sheetrock mud, and regular drywall mud.

The procedure is fairly easy and simple. First, arrange everything you need, including a 6-inch putty knife, drywall mud, drywall mesh tape, paper tape, and medium and fine-grit sandpaper. And then,

Apply the mesh tape over the gap. It will allow a good bond between the wall and the mud.
Apply the first coat of mud (drywall joint compound). Spread it with the putty knife, covering the gap and an extra 2-inch space above and below the gap.
Push the mud into the tape well. Make sure it covers one-third of the depth of the gap. Let it dry. The time required for it depends on the type of mud you’re using. Sand the first layer well.

After you’re done with the first coat, apply paper tape over it. The biggest advantage of using paper tape is that you can use it in the corners, folding it at an angle of about 90 degrees.
Apply two layers of mud over the paper tape. Don’t layer it up until the first coat is dry. Use the putty knife to give it a good finish.
Use medium and fine-grit sandpaper, respectively, to get a well-polished, smooth surface.

Use a primer and paint it according to the color of the rest of the wall.

2) Use Only Drywall Tape If The Gap Is Too Big

If the gap is too big and hollow, you can’t use mud on it. It will eventually crack. If you do not want to go for any other solution, here is where you apply drywall tape directly over the gap.

There are some rigid tapes that will serve this purpose perfectly. You may also use regular drywall tape. The problem with this method is that you won’t achieve that smooth and unnoticeable finish.

3) Fitting Strips Of Drywall

Here’s the deal: if you think that the space you’ve left behind between the ceiling and the wall is big enough to fit drywall sheets, why wouldn’t you?

If the space is bigger than 6″, consider covering it with drywall. The process is the same as the rest of the drywall work. Keep in mind not to crack the drywall panels while fitting them in a tight space.

4) Using Trims And Moldings

You can use wood trim and crown moldings to fill the gap in the drywall between the wall and ceiling. You won’t believe how good that actually looks until you see it.

A perfectly cut wood trim will improve the appearance of your garage and even make you forget there was ever a gap there! Crown moldings will boost the aesthetics of your garage a lot.

But this is slightly costlier than other methods. However, if you want to experiment with the design while filling an unsightly gap, give this a shot.

5) Painter’s Caulk For Small Holes

Painters’ caulk or regular plaster does the job in small holes. You can get a good painting result with it. But, they crack. Especially since they do not bind that well.

So, if the gap is all around the garage, never go for caulking; it will not hold for long.

Do this to Avoid a Gap Between the Wall and the Ceiling

You can get a perfect result by leaving no gaps in drywall. What’s that? Well, go through these tips to avoid this mistake.

Always do the calculation for each wall and cut the drywall according to it.

You should always start with the ceiling. Once you’re done with the ceiling, then you can move to the walls. The advantage is that you can then push the drywall on the wall to reach the ceiling drywall sheets, leaving zero or very small gaps.
Drywall work should be done with the help of experts. Find yourself a good professional who has experience in doing this work with sheer perfection. You won’t regret spending these extra bucks after seeing the result.

FAQs Related To Fill Gap In Drywall

Can I use spray foam to fill gaps in drywall?

Yes, you can, but only on the wall. You can’t use spray foam on the drywall. They will not hold well. Also, you shouldn’t consider using it over a wide area. It works in smaller spaces.

How big of a gap is acceptable in drywall?

In drywall, the gap can be as much as 1/4^th of an inch. It is impossible to leave any space between the drywall. You can easily fill these little spaces with joint compounds and tape.

How thick can you put drywall mud?

The perfect thickness of drywall mud is ¼th of an inch. You can go up to twelve centimeters with the coatings.

Will thick drywall mud crack?

Yes, thick drywall mud can crack. If the layer is too thick, the outer surface will dry fast, leaving the internal materials raw. This will cause cracks. Also, other factors like extreme temperatures can cause this damage. That’s why you should apply mud in two or three layers.

Do you need to sand the first coat of drywall mud?

Yes, sand the first coat of mud properly before applying the second coat. This will let the paper tape sit well over it and make the layers even stronger.

Conclusion

It is normal to have a half or a quarter inch of a gap in drywall. But it should always be filled. Before starting the work, measure the gap and select the suitable material. A perfect combination of joint compounds and tape can do the job for you.

If you want a better result, go for more aesthetic-looking options like wood trim or crown molding. I hope the guide has helped you a lot, so what are you waiting for?