STRUGGLING TO KEEP WALLS STRAIGHT WHEN BUILDING WITH LUMBER
Funny you mention flexible joint compound—I tried that in my last place, thinking it’d be the magic fix. Ended up with fewer cracks, but the ones that did show up were just as annoying. I’ve also played around with screw spacing, but honestly, it felt like overkill for my budget. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just the house settling and there’s only so much you can do without spending a fortune. At this point, I just keep a little touch-up kit handy and call it a day...
At this point, I just keep a little touch-up kit handy and call it a day...
Honestly, I feel you. Sometimes it’s like no matter what you do, those walls have a mind of their own. I’ve seen some wild “character” in older homes—wavy lines, random bulges, you name it. Even with the best lumber, humidity and settling just do their thing. I’ve started embracing the imperfections a bit... adds some charm, right? At least that’s what I tell myself when I’m patching up yet another crack.
It’s kind of reassuring to hear others are dealing with the same thing. I spent way too much time stressing over every little wave in the drywall, but honestly, after living in the house for a bit, I barely notice most of it. I guess it’s just part of the process—nature’s not exactly precise, and lumber definitely has a mind of its own. Sometimes I wonder if anyone else even notices the stuff I obsess over... probably not.
Sometimes I wonder if anyone else even notices the stuff I obsess over... probably not.
- You’re not alone there. I’ve spent way too many hours with a level in one hand and a flashlight in the other, trying to convince myself that a 1/8" bow is going to ruin the whole project. Spoiler: it never does.
- Lumber’s basically a living thing until you nail it down. Even kiln-dried stuff can twist or cup just from a humid day. Sometimes I think it’s got more personality than my dog.
- Here’s what I’ve learned after watching crews frame dozens of houses:
- If you want perfectly straight walls, you’ll drive yourself nuts (and probably go broke).
- Most folks don’t notice minor waves unless you point them out. Even then, they usually shrug.
- Drywall mud hides a lot more than you’d think. The first coat always looks like a disaster, but by the time it’s painted, most of those “imperfections” are invisible.
- That said, I still get hung up on details sometimes. There was this one house where the sun hit the living room wall just right every afternoon and made a tiny dip look like the Grand Canyon... drove me crazy for weeks. No one else ever mentioned it.
- At the end of the day, nature’s got its own rules and lumber doesn’t care about your laser level. As long as things are structurally sound and pass inspection, I try to let the little stuff go (easier said than done).
If it makes you feel any better, even after years in this business, I still catch myself running my hand along finished walls looking for bumps no one else will ever see... guess some habits die hard.
