How to Straighten Bowed Studs
A beautiful wall starts with level studs. It is not uncommon to find an occasional bowed stud when hanging drywall. It is ideal to start a drywall project with level walls to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. While it is better to replace, rather than repair, a bowed stud, there are ways to straighten them. Load bearing walls or severely bowed studs require the stud to be replaced, while it's possible to level a stud in a non-load bearing wall. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Locate the inward and outward bowed studs. Using a six foot level, place the level horizontally between several studs. Mark the bowed studs, in excess of 1/8 inch, directly on the stud with a pencil. Follow up by checking the studs vertically.
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Grab a bundle of pine shims and build up the inward bowed studs until they are level. The shims should be placed on top of each other in alternating directions.
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3
Sand away, for outward bowed studs, the section of the wood that is bending outward using a belt sander or power planer. These tools allow a gradual removal process. If too much wood is removed, proceed by building it back up, using pine shims, as you did for the inward bowed studs.
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Double check that all studs are level.
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Trim away excess shims using a razor blade.
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Tips & Warnings
Pine shims are recommended because they are soft and can be easily cut away with a razor blade.
It is not recommended to cut away outward bowed studs, especially on a load bearing wall. The stud should be replaced.
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