Drywall seams cracking after paint. What am I doing wrong?

Finished a room drywall last month. Used paper tape and lightweight mud. Let it cure for two days per coat. Sanded it all down smooth. Applied primer and paint. Now cracks are showing on every seam. I'm lost on the cause. Could be house settling or mud mix. How do you prevent this?

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3 Comments

nancy_nelson276mo ago

Cold or damp rooms really slow down the drying, even if it feels dry on the surface. If that mud was put on in a chilly basement, the center of those coats might still be soft. Adding more layers or paint just traps that moisture and guarantees cracks. Next time, try a space heater and dehumidifier in the room before you even think about sanding.

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brown.reese6mo ago

Ever seal in damp mud in a basement?

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avery4126mo ago

Two days between coats is probably too short for lightweight mud to fully dry and shrink. Let it cure for at least a week next time, and make sure you're embedding the tape well with enough mud.

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