Metal corner beads are thin strips of metal installed along outside corner joints on drywall to provide extra strength and durability. Over time, metal corner beads can become damaged or detached from the wall. Repairing a loose or damaged metal corner bead is an important repair to maintain the integrity of the wall corner. With some basic tools and materials, repairing a metal corner bead is a do-it-yourself project.
Assessing the Damage
The first step is to take a close look at the metal corner bead and determine what kind of repair is needed. Here are some of the most common issues:
Detached from the wall: If the metal bead has pulled away from the wall in areas, it will need to be re-secured into the drywall. Look for gaps between the bead and wall, cracks in drywall tape near the edges, or spots where the bead feels loose when pressed.
Dents or bends: Metal corner bead can become bent, dented, or misshapen over time. Try bending any deformed areas back into shape with pliers. For deep creases that can’t be repaired, the damaged section may need to be cut out and replaced.
Rust: Check for any rust spots or corrosion on the metal bead, which can cause staining and continuing damage over time. Light rust can be sanded or scraped, while heavy rust may require replacing that section.
Holes or punctures: Cracks, holes, or punctures in the metal bead will need patched with a drywall joint compound. Make sure any exposed drywall edges are also covered.
Cracked joint tape: Look for cracks or seams opening up in the paper drywall tape along the bead edges. These will need repaired with joint compound.
Carefully inspect the entire length of metal corner bead to identify any problem areas needing repair.
Gathering Materials
Repairing a metal corner bead uses many of the same materials as drywall finishing. Here are the basic supplies you will need:
- Drywall joint compound (lightweight spackle)
- Joint tape (paper drywall tape)
- Drywall nails or screws
- Hammer or screwdriver
- Sandpaper
- Metal snips/shears (for replacing sections)
- Pliers (for straightening)
- Utility knife
- Scraper
- Safety gear (gloves, goggles, mask)
For small repairs, a lightweight all-purpose or topping compound is ideal. For replacing larger sections, a setting-type compound works best. Have a range of sandpaper grits handy for smoothing repairs.
Make sure you have sufficient joint tape, replacement pieces of metal bead, fasteners, and tools before starting repairs.
Repairing a Detached Corner Bead
If areas of the metal corner bead have pulled away from the wall, it needs to be re-secured by driving additional nails or screws through the bead flanges into the wall:
Steps for Re-securing:
- Lightly sand any lifted edges or gaps in the tape coat near the bead.
- Apply a thin layer of joint compound over the edges and gaps with a putty knife. Smooth with sandpaper when dry.
- Using scrap wood, protect the opposite wall corner from damage. Position the first piece near the top of the repair area.
- Hammer additional drywall nails through the existing holes in the metal bead flange. Space nails every 6-8 inches.
- Drive nails into the wall at slight angle, drilling through the metal and deep into the drywall behind. sink nails slightly below bead surface.
- Repeat process working downward, adding nails through all detached portions. Apply extra nails near the bottom.
- Apply a final thin layer of joint compound over nail heads to create a smooth surface after drying. Allow compound to dry completely before sanding smooth.
- Carefully sand repaired areas with fine sandpaper, taking care around existing corner bead edges. Avoid sanding through the metal coating.
Securing the detached corner bead with a series of wall nails will help strengthen its bond to the wall and prevent future separation.
Patching Holes and Punctures
For small holes or punctures in a metal corner bead:
Steps for Patching Holes:
- Sand any rough edges of the hole with fine sandpaper. Vacuum away dust.
- Spread a thin layer of joint compound over the hole and surrounding area, extending onto the wall and corner bead flange.
- While still wet, press paper joint tape over the hole, embedding it into the compound. Smooth the tape with a putty knife.
- Apply a second coat of compound over the tape, feathering the edges. Let fully dry.
- Sand the patched area smooth, being careful not to scuff the metal bead edges. Avoid sanding through the tape.
- Finish with a final thin coat of compound to blend the patched hole seamlessly. Sand lightly when dry.
- Prime and paint the repair when dry. Match the existing wall color with paint.
Filling punctures and holes prevents damage from spreading and restores the corner’s smooth surface.
Fixing Dents, Bends, and Rust
For minor dents, creases, or bends in a metal corner bead:
Steps for Straightening:
- Use pliers or adjustable wrench to grip the damaged section of bead.
- Carefully bend the metal back into shape, aligning with the surrounding corner. Take care not to crack the bead or pull it off the wall.
- Use a mallet and wood block to gently tap severe dents and bends back into shape if needed.
- Fill any resulting gaps or cracks in the metal with lightweight spackle. Allow to dry and sand smooth.
For light rust spots or corrosion:
- Lightly sand affected areas to remove rust and smooth edges.
- Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Consider applying rust converter primer before painting.
- For deeper rust damage, cut out the affected section and replace it with new corner bead installed over the existing (see next section).
Straightening out dents and smoothing rusted areas will help restore the corner bead’s clean finish.
Replacing Damaged Sections
For metal corner beads with extensive damage, replacing sections may be needed:
Steps for Replacing Sections:
- Use metal snips to cut out the damaged portion of corner bead, leaving a 1/2 inch overlap on each side.
- Scrape away any burrs or old compound from cut edges. Vacuum dust.
- Cut a new piece of metal bead to the same length as the area removed. Avoid creasing the new piece.
- Apply a thin layer of joint compound to the back side of the new metal bead piece.
- Press the new bead piece into place over the existing bead, aligning the edges. Embed into compound.
- Drive drywall screws through the new bead piece into the wall every 4-6 inches. Sink screw heads slightly.
- Cover screw heads and seams with thin coats of compound, allowing each to dry before applying the next.
- Carefully sand once fully dry, blending the new bead section with surrounding areas. Avoid scratching metal.
- Prime and paint repair when fully dry. Feather edges of new paint into old.
Replacing small sections of damaged bead keeps the repair localized and avoids removing the entire corner bead.
Repairing Torn Joint Tape
Cracked or torn paper tape along the corner bead is also common. To fix:
Steps for Repairing Tape:
- Use a utility knife to cut out any loose, cracked tape, leaving a 1⁄2 inch overlap into adhered areas.
- Sand rough edges and vacuum away dust.
- Apply a thin layer of joint compound over the cut tape edges and slightly onto the wall and corner bead.
- Embed new drywall tape into the wet compound, centering it over the seam or tear. Smooth with a dry putty knife.
- Once dry, apply a second coat of compound over the tape, extending it slightly beyond the first coat.
- Feather out the final coat once dry for a smooth, blended finish after final sanding.
- Avoid over-sanding, which can damage the corner bead metal or remove too much compound.
Repairing torn tape strengthens the joint and helps prevent future cracking issues.
Finishing & Paint Prep
Once all repairs are complete, finish up with these steps:
- Lightly sand all repaired areas to smooth and blend. Be careful around metal beads.
- Wipe off dust and vacuum up debris. Spot fill any imperfections.
- Prime the corner bead and repaired areas with a quality drywall primer. This helps paint adhere.
- Finish by repainting the corner bead and adjacent walls with matching wall paint. Extend paint beyond repairs.
- Remove any paint drips on the adjoining wall surfaces before drying. Feather out edges.
- Allow paint to fully dry before doing any final cleaning or rehanging wall decor.
Properly finishing the repaired corner bead will help it blend in seamlessly.
Preventing Future Damage
To help minimize damage to corner beads in the future:
- Avoid hitting or scraping the corners when moving furniture or carrying items. Use corner protectors.
- Put cushioning on sharp or hard objects that might make contact with the corner bead.
- Keep areas around corners free of moisture damage by fixing plumbing leaks promptly.
- Address settlement issues that may be distorting wall corners and putting stress on the bead.
- Caulk along the top edge of corner beads to seal gaps that can collect moisture and dirt.
- Maintain interior humidity and temperature to prevent excess dryness that can cause tape cracks.
- Clean by gently wiping beads with a microfiber cloth to remove dust. Avoid abrasive scrubbing.
- Consider metal or plastic corner guards in high-traffic areas prone to bumps and damage.
Taking steps to protect and maintain corner beads can add many more years to their lifespan. But with the right techniques, they can still be repairable when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Repairing Metal Corner Beads
Repairing damaged metal corner beads on your walls raises a lot of common questions. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked:
Should I remove the old bead before replacing it?
In most cases, it is best to leave the existing metal corner bead in place and install the new piece on top. This avoids damaging the wall corners trying to pry off the old bead. The screws will secure the new bead solidly on top.
What size nails/screws should be used?
For securing loose corner beads, 1 1/4” or 1 1/2″ wallboard or ring shank drywall nails are ideal. Use fine thread drywall screws around 1” for installing replacement bead pieces.
Should compound be applied under replacement beads?
Yes, applying a layer of joint compound to the back helps replacement strips adhere and provides an even base. Embedding it into the compound holds it in place once screws are driven.
How soon can I paint after repairs?
Lightly sanding repairs after they fully cure for 24 hours allows paint to adhere well. Primer also helps the paint bond tightly.
Should I use paper tape or mesh tape?
Paper joint tape is recommended for repairing cracks or gaps around corner beads, as it embeds into compound better than mesh tape.
How do I smooth cracks between the bead and wall?
Lightly sand any ridges or gaps, wipe clean, apply a thin layer of compound, then use fine sandpaper to blend it smoothly with the surrounding area.
Why does my bead have rust stains?
Moisture exposure can cause corner bead corrosion over time. Address any sources of excessive humidity or leaks to prevent it from worsening.
How can I prevent cracks in the tape?
Keeping the building temperature and humidity stable helps prevent tape cracks. Proper drying time for compound is also important to avoid shrinkage.
What tools do I need?
A putty knife, utility knife, hammer, screw gun, pliers, tape measure, sandpaper, and snippers will tackle most metal corner bead repairs.
Repairing loose, dented, or damaged metal corner beads takes some finesse but restores the corner’s durable finish. With the right materials and techniques, these repairs can be made to last.
Conclusion
Metal corner beads often see a lot of wear and tear, but they serve an important purpose in physically protecting vulnerable drywall corners. Knowing how to properly re-secure, patch, replace or repair damaged portions of metal corner beads allows you to restore their functionality and attractive finished look. With some basic drywall repair supplies and tools, these common metal bead issues can be fixed using the techniques outlined here. Keeping the repairs small and blending them in with smooth finishing will have your corners looking like new again. Performing timely repairs prevents further deterioration and expensive replacement down the road. Armed with this knowledge, you can tackle metal corner bead repairs with confidence.