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Slatlun ,

You might want to use mesh tape on the big cracks to help stop recracking. I would poke around and see if the whole section is damaged too. You can replace large chuncks of drywall pretty easily and cheaply so no sense keeping damaged drywall if you’re doing work anyway.

The biggest issue is what caused the crack to begin with. If it is settling, make sure there won’t be any more of that before doing a repair to the crack.

Credentials - working on a house with foundation problems and water damage

EssentialNPC OP ,

Can I do mesh tape over the cracks as they are (with some initial sanding to remove high points), or do I need to strip it down to drywall first? Getting down to drywall would be tricky without damaging the drywall

Any settling should be long finished. The bedroom is on the second floor, and the additions that border these walls were completed ~30 years ago. The drywall in this room predates that addition, but these cracks are through layers of paint that came after the additions. Upon further inspection, I think the weak drywall is limited to a much smaller area than I first anticipated. That area has no cracks and will be trimmed with a cover out in for better plumbing access anyway.

Slatlun ,

It is your choice on sanding. Sanding down the crack/tape area below grade will make the flattest patch. The alternative is feathering out your joint compound further to hide the bump. You’ll be surprised how thick tape seems when you’re going for a smooth finish.

I like the flat (presanded) option because the bump option bothers me even though nobody else sees the difference.

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