Drywall is a very popular material in building walls and ceilings, also known as plasterboard or sheetrock. It is very inexpensive, easy to install, and gives a smooth finish. However, drywall tends to be quite brittle since everything from an accident impact to moisture may hurt it. If you have found yourself staring into the void of an unsightly hole or dent in your wall, fear not-repairing drywall is a task that most people can handle themselves. In this detailed guide, we will walk you through step-by-step in the whole process of how to repair drywall-from assessing the damage to putting on the finishing touches.
Understanding Drywall Damage
Before starting to explain how to repair drywall, let’s take a look first at some of the most common types of damage a wall may encounter. Following are some of the common issues one may face in dealing with drywall:
- Nail or Screw Holes: The most usual types of damage, usually created by taking down pictures or other items from the wall.
- Dents: These usually come from accidents where furniture, doorknobs, or other objects have bumped into the wall.
- Small Holes: This can be from anything involving a nail to an unintentional strike with a sharp object, in several forms.
- Cracks: Many of these happen along the edges of doors, windows, or other locations where the wall could bend.
- Large Holes: Bigger impacts create these, which would include anything from a doorknob to moving furniture.
- Water Damage: This shows up in drywall as softening, discoloration, or mold formation. This kind of damage is usually more complex to repair.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
Before starting your drywall repair, take out these tools and materials to get you going:
- Drywall compound
- Drywall patches
- Drywall saw or utility knife
- Drywall screws
- Drywall tape
- Putty knife or taping knife
- Sandpaper
- Sanding block or pole sander
- Drill and screwdriver
- Primer and paint
- Dust mask and safety glasses
- Drop cloth
Step-by-Step Drywall Repair Process
Step 1: Assess the Damage
Check how much damage there is. Small holes or cracks can usually be fixed with just a little bit of joint compound and some light sanding. Larger holes, or any area with water damage, needs patching, and sometimes even sections of drywall should be replaced altogether.
Step 2: Prepare the Area
Clear the area around the damage before starting any repairs. Lay down a drop cloth in order to protect your floors from dust and debris. Use a utility knife to remove any loose or damaged drywall around the hole or crack. If you notice a crack, take the knife and widen it just a bit into a V-shaped groove. This allows more surface area for the joint compound to grab onto.
Step 3: Filling Small Holes and Cracks
If the drywall has suffered minor damage like small holes or cracks, then the following steps could be followed:
- Application of Joint Compound: With the putty knife, apply a bit of joint compound over the small hole or crack. Smoothen it over to cover the entire area of damage.
- Apply Drywall Tape: If working with a crack, lay drywall tape over the compound while it is still wet. This will prevent the crack from returning; for small holes, this step can be ignored.
- Smoothen the Surface: Take your putty knife and smoothen the compound while feathering the edges, so that the compound blends in with the surrounding wall perfectly.
- Let It Dry: Let the compound dry completely. It might take some hours, according to how thickly it has been applied and how humid the room is.
- Sand the Area: Sand the area lightly with medium-grit sandpaper until it is smooth. After that, fine-grit sandpaper will give the area a perfect finish.
- Sand and Prime then Paint: After sanding, remove all dust and apply a coat of primer. Once this is dry, paint to match the rest of the wall.
Step 4: Large Holes
For holes that are considerably larger:
- Cut from the Damaged Area: Using a drywall saw or utility knife, cut out a square or rectangular section around the hole. Make the cut to the middle of the nearest studs to either side of the hole to give you something to which to attach the new drywall piece.
- Cut a New Drywall Patch: Cut a new piece of drywall to the size and shape of your hole. Make it a little smaller than the hole for an exact fit.
- Attach the Patch: Place the drywall patch into the hole and attach it to the studs using drywall screws. The screws will be slightly sunk below the surface of the drywall.
- Apply Drywall Tape: Run drywall tape around the seams of the patch. You can use paper tape or mesh tape; mesh is usually easier to work with for beginners.
- Apply Joint Compound: With a putty knife, apply the joint compound over the tape and screws. Feather the edges of the compound to blend in with the rest of the wall. Apply in several thin coats, letting each layer dry before the next application.
- Sand and Finish: Once the compound is completely dry, the area should be sanded until smooth. Wipe away any dust, prime the repaired area, then paint.
Step 5: Repairing Water Damage
Water damage is a little trickier to repair since it can compromise the drywall in many cases. If the drywall is soft, discolored, or moldy it must be replaced.
- Locate the Water Source: Before you can dry up and repair the drywall, you need to find where the water came from. Any leak or other problem that might have been the source of the damage should be repaired.
- Removing the Damaged Drywall: The section of the drywall that has been damaged should be cut out, going about the steps taken in the repair of bigger holes.
- Mold Check: As mentioned above, check the area behind the drywall for mold. To clean completely with a solution that kills mold is important before continuing with the repair.
- Install New Patch: Once the area is dry and free of mold, install a new piece of drywall as described in the above section.
- Finishing the Repair: Once the repair is complete, only tape, joint compound, sand, prime, and paint the area. The repair would be done.
Professional Finish Tips
Feather the Edges: Always feather the edges at the time of laying the joint compound, which helps the repair blend into the surrounding wall area, thus creating a seamless finish.
- Apply in multiple coats: It is better to apply several thin coats of joint compound rather than try to attempt to apply one thick coat. These thinner coats dry more quickly and also allow easier sanding to get them to be smooth.
- Sand between coats: Light sanding in between each coat of joint compound will keep the surface uniformly even.
- Match the Texture: If your wall has a texture, you’ll have to match it after the repair. There are many ways to apply texture, everything from using a sponge to a special roller or spray can. Apply some practice swaths on scrap drywall before applying it to the wall.
- Quality Primer: Always prime the repaired area before painting. Primer helps seal the joint compound and ensures that the paint adheres evenly.
- Safety First: Whenever trying to cut or sand drywall, make sure you’re wearing a dust mask and safety glasses; this will help protect you from dust and debris.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Over-Sanding: Be careful not to over-sand the repaired area because this will create low spots in the wall.
- Not allowing compound to dry: In an effort to hurry the process along, not allowing joint compound to dry completely between coats results in a poor finish.
- Disregard matching texture: If your wall has texture, you will ignore it at your peril; it will make the repair stick out like a sore thumb. Take the time to match texture as best you can.
- Primer Skipping: Had the primer skipping been done, one could feel the difference right in the paint finish. A prime should always be done prior to painting.
Conclusion
Drywall repair may sound like a daunting task, but with the right tools, materials, and some patience, it is a job most DIYers can handle. Be it small holes, large holes, or even water damage, the steps herein will guide you through the process of obtaining a professional look. Take your time to follow every step with care, and if you are new, practice on a scrap piece of drywall. With this in mind, your how-to guide to drywall repair should get you well on your way to making those walls good as new again. Happy repairing!