Drywall repair 101!
Over time, walls can sustain ugly cracks or holes. Fortunately, drywall is easy to repair, but there is an art to it. Repairing large holes is different from fixing small holes. Small holes can be patched over with drywall tape or self-adhesive drywall patches, but large holes need a more rigid material to span over the larger opening.
From small dents to large holes, there are several ways to and techniques to fix your Drywall!
If your Drywall has any defect and you wish to fix it or have it professionally repaired, it’s time to decide. If you decide on the first you’re going to need some tools and materials:
Tools you’ll need:
Drywall sander
Drywall saw
Dust mask
Paintbrush
Screw gun
Taping knife
Utility knife
Materials you’ll need:
Drywall
Drywall screws
Drywall tape
Joint compound
Repair small scratches
Inevitably, the time will come when you need to repair a small scratch or minor bump in drywall. If you decide to fix them up yourself you can just follow these steps:
Prepare the surface. Scrap the area clean and level with a putty knife.
Apply the compound. Cover the scratch, and a small area around the scratch, with the spackling paste. Use a thin coat of spackling paste. Let dry and repeat if necessary.
Finish the small drywall scratch by using a sanding sponge to create a smooth surface. Be absolutely sure that the small scratch repair area is completely dry before applying paint or drywall texture. If painting, be sure the area is free of dust, and apply a primer for best results.
Repair a Bump, a Bulge or a Crack
Many reasons are the cause of these drywall issues, nonetheless, fixing them is a relatively easy process to follow:
Cut the damaged area of the drywall using a utility knife and a jab saw. Sand any rough edges and clean the area properly.
Apply the joint compound over the seam.
Stick mesh tape along the seam.
Pre-fill the joint with a mixture of mud and glue. Let the mud fully set.
Smooth the edges with a large knife. Allow to dry it entirely. Sand the area and clean it off.
Repair a small hole
Accidentally hitting a wall can cause holes, drywall is by nature a fairly brittle, fragile material.
Using a utility knife, carve away any stray pieces of surface paper or gypsum, you need the borders of the damaged area to be flat or recessed inward
Cut off two sections of paper joint tape, so that each length of tape will extend at least 2 inches beyond each side of the hole. Smooth down a thin layer of joint compound around the hole. Place the first piece of tape across the hole and press down so that it fully adheres to the wall surface. Repeat the same exercice with the second one so they form an “X”
Using a drywall knife, carefully cover the whole area with joint compound, lightly pressing down. Let it dry.
Repeat the process once or twice more by adding thin layers of compound, drying, and sanding between each dried coat until you have a smooth patch over the whole area.
Repair a large hole
Repairing large holes in drywall is different from fixing a small hole in drywall, that’ll require a more rigid material to span over the larger opening.
The simplest solution is also the best:
Cut a patch from another piece of drywall and secure it with wood backing strips and drywall screws.
Apply joint tape to the borders of the patch. Joint tape is made of mesh and strengthens the bond between the patch and the wall, reducing movement and helping to prevent future cracks.
Cover the patch and tape with joint compound, feathering the edges. Allow the compound to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply a second coat if needed.
Sand smooth.