It appears that my drywall is coming over the screws that are supposed to hold it to the wall and ceiling. When I add another screw to secure the drywall to the wall and ceiling, it uncovers another screw. Was there a recall on drywall in 2005 or did they install it improperly? I also noticed they did not use any tape on the joints or screws.

Not an expert sheet rock installer but I have done a lot of my own sheetrock work remodling my house...


There should have been either a paper tape or fiberglass mesh/screen tape on the joints. Its next to impossible to prevent cracks unless they are used at the seams. As far as the screws. If it was nailed in place they can and do over years work loose. But you said SCREWS being exposed. Those do not loosen up.. the onle way that would be like that is if the installers screwgun was improperly adjusted.

The recall was for Chinese Sheetrock that had a sulfur component that caused corrosion to copper pipes and electrical wiring... not at all related to the symptoms you have seen.

Thanks for the info. Would the installers screwgun be putting the screws too deep causing the drywall to work over the screws or not deep enough?

The screws should pull the Sheetrock tight to the studs... but only be tight enough to depress but not tear the paper under them. If that paper tears because they are too deep, with the hot/cold damp/dry cycles its exposed to the drywall can work loose as you describe as well. It should be visible if that's the case. There will be the hole for the screw but there will be a conical depression with no circular tear around the edge of the screw head.

Thanks, that's what it looks like - too deep and through the paper.

Move the screws about 2 inches away and put them back in but just deep enough a putty nife doesn't hit them when slid across the surface. That's all the deeper they should be or need to be.

Incidentally I wouldn't recommend using spackle for patching that... its fine for nail holes etc... but I preffer sheetrock compound. It sands easier and smoother.

Thanks, I am using wallboard Joint Compound - I didn't know the difference. This stuff seems to work well.

I was using "Sheetrock" which is actually a brand name of the drywall product...

Correct form would have been using the generic word "drywall" instead... its like calling a photocopy a Xerox.