Symptoms
- Dent or crease along an outside wall corner
- Metal edge visible through cracked or missing joint compound
- Corner feels sharp or uneven to the touch
Likely causes
- CommonImpact from furniture or moving itemsOutside corners take the brunt of bumps from vacuums, furniture, and foot traffic.
- PossibleCorner bead not properly secured originallyA loosely fastened bead is more prone to denting and cracking over time.
What to do
- Check if the metal or vinyl corner bead itself is bent, not just the compound over it.
- If just the compound cracked, scrape away loose material back to solid bead.
- If the bead is bent, cut it at the damage point and remove the damaged section.
- Fasten a new short piece of corner bead over the repair with drywall screws or adhesive.
- Apply joint compound in thin coats over the bead, feathering both sides of the corner.
- Sand smooth once fully dry.
- Prime and repaint the corner to match the wall.
Tools and parts
- Utility knife
- Taping knife
- Tin snips (if replacing bead)
Corner beadSearch: “drywall outside corner bead”
When to call a pro
Call a drywall contractor if several corners in the home are damaged or if the bead is metal and badly bent along a long run.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.