Drywall tape can peel for a variety of reasons—poor application, high room humidity, nail pops, even destructive kids and pets. You can make repairs easily, but it may keep happening unless you eliminate the cause, such as by placing a dehumidifier in a room where dampness persists.

If the problem is confined to a small area, you don't need professional drywall skills to do an adequate job, but if the tape is peeling off the walls in several places, or in areas of prominent visibility, consider calling in a pro who can give you quality results. Here's how to do it yourself:

1) Use a sharp razor knife to cut away each end of the tape a foot or so beyond the damaged area. Sand down the remaining ridges of dried drywall compound with a moderately coarse drywall sanding pad.

Sand almost to the drywall surface (you don't want to go too far and cut into the drywall paper), and vacuum away the dust.

2) Use a 5-inch taping knife to lay a thin bed of joint compound over the drywall joint. The compound should be uniform in thickness and width, with no gaps or large air pockets, and should extend at least 2 inches on each side of the joint.

3) Cut a piece of drywall tape slightly shorter than the missing tape section. Place it atop the joint and use your taping knife to smooth the new tape into the compound. Be sure there is no air trapped under the tape or wrinkles anywhere along its length.

4) Smooth a second thin coat of joint compound over the tape. Keep the knife blade flat and take care not to disturb the tape's position. Allow it to dry overnight.

5) Carefully sand and scrape away any high spots where the compound has dried and then use a wide-bladed taping knife to lay another bed of joint compound over the entire area of repair. Allow it to dry thoroughly. Sand again, using progressively finer sanding sheets to blend, or “feather,” the compound into the rest of the wall surface.