My simple patch job turned into a full day of chasing a bubble

Had to fix a small hole from a doorknob in a client's hallway, maybe 6 inches across. Figured it would be a quick 30 minute patch and sand. But after I mudded and sanded it smooth, a tiny air bubble showed up right in the middle every single time it dried. I must have put on four thin coats, sanding between each, and it still kept coming back. What should have been a fast fix ended up taking me almost 5 hours from start to finish because I refused to leave it looking bad. Ever have a tiny problem like that just eat up your whole afternoon?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_sarah13d ago

My buddy Dave had the same thing happen fixing a nail pop in his living room ceiling. He kept skimming it with joint compound and that stupid little dimple would just reappear after every sanding. He finally got so fed up he cut out a bigger section and put in a new piece of drywall. Sometimes the paper facing on the board is just messed up underneath and it won't hold the mud right no matter what you do. It's crazy how a spot the size of a quarter can steal your entire Saturday.

felixw6813d ago

Honestly, did Dave ever figure out what was wrong with the paper facing? Like was it torn or just got damp at some point?