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Is an uneven wall surface a concern?

Hi I am noticing my internal walls are not even when putting a level over them. Some areas are only a couple mm gap and the worst being 10mm gap. Is this a huge concern or just cause the age of the building? 31 years old on slab. Thanks and hope to hear back soon and hopefully not be as stressed about it.

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Noyade

G'day @roger85

Based on the bubble, the image should be rotated 90 deg. to the right...

It looks like you're checking the level of a bench top(?) with tiles in the background?

What is the issue there?

Regards walls and corners - no, I would not expect them to be perfectly vertical or perfect 90 deg. corners.

There is not a single perfect corner in my house.

'Perfectly' normal. 😁

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @roger85. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about an uneven wall.

A bit of waviness in the wall surface—especially in a 31-year-old home—isn’t unusual and isn’t necessarily something to worry about. The 10mm variation you’re seeing could just be the result of how the wall was lined originally, particularly if the studs weren’t perfectly straight or the plasterboard wasn’t installed with absolute precision.

As long as the plasterboard feels solid and well-secured—with no cracking, movement, or signs of delamination—I wouldn’t be overly concerned. It doesn’t sound like a structural issue from what you’ve described, but if you notice any other signs like bulging, soft spots, or cracks forming, it might be worth getting a professional to take a closer look.

For now, I’d say it’s likely just the natural result of time and slightly imperfect construction practices—nothing to stress over.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

MitchellMc

@Noyade,

Thank you very much for making my brain hurt. It took me some time to reconfigure it. I believe it is the wall we are measuring here. We are looking down the wall from above and they have the level on the wall perfectly horizontal, which is causing the bubble to sit in the middle. It's not actually checking level on the wall, it's just that it is perfectly horizontal. Now, try to get your head around that. 😂

I think this rotation shows it better.

Mitchell

roger85

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/52462#Comment_52462

thanks for the reply. The drywall dose move slightly when pushed only on the bottom quarter of the wall is this really bad ?

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/52463#Comment_52463

"Now, try to get your head around that."

Ha!

My head is a bit sore - that's my only excuse. 😁

Well done @MitchellMc !

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/88399#Comment_88399

How much is "move slightly" @roger85? I still don't think that's something to be concerned about, unless the board is clearly not attached. There is always going to be a little bit of flex between the wall studs.

Mitchell

roger85

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/109871#Comment_109871

Thanks I’m feeling a lot less stressed about it all. I don’t think it’s moving much and yea it’s between the studs that it moves

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/122280#Comment_122280

I don't think there is anything to worry about @roger85. If the wall was moving excessively, the first indication would be cracks in the corner and across the middle.

Mitchell

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