Casing problem - drywall not flush with window surround

[jlietz]

Wow, nice forum. This is my first post. Thanks in advance.

This summer I had a new bay window installed in the living room. I am just now getting around to installing the casing around the window since I have been (among 1000 other projects :) ...) staining and sealing the window frame and seatboard. When I tried to install the casing I ran into a problem. - the drywall isn't flush with the window surround in one corner. What I mean is that the drywall extends past the window surround (I'm talking depth here) by about 3/16 inch. But only in the top right corner and only for approx 2 ft in both the horizontal and vertical surround pieces. The difference in depth gets smaller as you move down the surround piece until the surround and drywall become flush. Now, 3/16 inch doesn't sound like much, but I can't install the casing such that the edge of the casing lays flat against the window surround! There is a huge gap (3/16 inch looks huge when it ain't supposed to be there ;) ) between the edge of the casing and the surround.
That brings me to my question: What can I do about this? It seems apparent to me that the window wasn't properly leveled when it was installed or perhaps it wasn't braced correctly and has sagged in that corner. But, short of re-installing, how can I correct this? If I install a 1/4 build out I will be out of alignment along the rest of the window. If I caulk the gap it will look bad.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.

[Sawdustguy]

Welcome to the forum. I know this solution is going to sound nuts, but it works! Where the drywall is sticking out. Take a piece of blue painters tape and put it on the wall the same distance as the outside of where the molding will sit. Then take a hammer and bash the drywall down, so it's sitting behind the front of the window. And whala! It will sit flat!

[jlietz]

Hmm...that's pretty clever, but isn't there a potential problem with the drywall cracking outside the area I'm trying to bash in? Have you tried this yourself? Has anyone else tried this?

[Sawdustguy]

Yes, I've done it many of times. That is what you tape it off for, so you stay within the boundries. If you happen to crack it a little, a touch of spackle will do the trick.

[NAVIGATOR]

NO NO NO DON'T DO THAT

Build it out with the 1/4" stock then plane it down so it's flush with the wall.
Very easy to do, just use the wall as your guide. Make sure to counter sink the nails far enough so you don't catch them with the plane.

[Sawdustguy]

What's wrong with my method? If the member does it your way, then you can see the piece of wood going from 3/16" to 0. That would be more obvious than pushing the drywall back. There is nothing structually wrong with doing what I suggested and it makes it nice and flush too.

[NAVIGATOR]

If he chooses to use your method I would recomend cutting the drywall paper with a utility knife and removing the drywall as necessary, not bashing it in with a hammer.
Finish work is not the time for hammer bashing, that may work ok for framing but not finishing.

[Sawdustguy]

I guess I'm not seeing the difference between pushing the drywall back and cutting it out with a razor knife. Either way, you're not going to see the removed drywall. So intern, aren't we accomplishing the same thing? :confused:

[Aarno]

Navigator - as unorthodox (and scary) as that method sounds, truth is that addressing the problem in that manner is not at all uncommon. Why? Because it works.

Let me quickly add that it all depends on the situation. And usually, it's a call based on your experience. I'm not advocating beating the drywall to death, but mashing it a bit with a mallet is often the way to get it done - and most importantly, get it done quickly and done right.

If someone prefers to fill the gap with a tapered shim instead, well that's fine too. Whatever works. Personally, I'd shoot for whatever method fits the situation and results in a nice clean uninterrupted look.

Aarno

[Sawdustguy]

Very well put Arno! Thank you! ;)

Let me clarify my statement. I didn't mean bash it to bloody death until there is nothing left, but just "Push" it back a bit.

Happy Holidays!