One of the most valuable skills you can possess as a homeowner is the ability to repair drywall. You can get scratches, dents, and scuffs from any kind of accident. If they are not repaired, they can slowly build up and become a problem in the interior of any room. Instead of hiring a contractor to fix the damaged drywall, you can learn how to do it yourself.
What Is Drywall?
Drywall is a popular construction material that is used around the globe as an alternative to traditional plaster. Gypsum is the common material between plaster, drywall and drywall. This mineral is mined in many parts of the world and is known for its durability and ability to be used in construction. Synthetic gypsum can also be used to make drywall from coal power waste. Synthetic drywall is an eco-friendly choice that will benefit your project and your community.
Drywall panels are made of a core of gypsum and then covered with several layers recycled paper. The wrap is then coated with liquid gypsum, and then covered with more solid gypsum. Finally, it is wrapped again. This results in a strong panel that is easy to shape and cut for the purpose it was intended.
Drywall Is Used Where?
Drywall can be used for all kinds of home construction projects. Drywall is a popular choice for residential homes due to its affordability and ease of re-work. Similar applications can be found in commercial settings.
For example, drywall panels are used to create offices, shops, restaurants and other structures where people spend a lot. The exception to this rule is heavy industrial environments, where workshops and factories can be unsuitable for drywall. These areas require stronger indoor structures.
What Causes Drywall To Become Damaged?
Although drywall is known for its ease of cutting, trimming, and shaping, it comes at a cost. Anyone can cause serious damage to drywall, even children. Roughhousing indoors can cause drywall damage. Even worse, furniture moving around the house can cause dents and gouges.
Bigger indoor disasters might cause even larger holes in your drywall. An appliance or heavy person can damage the entire wall by hitting it with their weight. Water damage can be particularly severe.
DIY Drywall Repair Or Professional Drywall Repair
Drywall repair can seem like a daunting task. You aren’t just fixing a piece of drywall. You are fixing the house.
Although professional drywall contractors are sometimes necessary in cases of severe damage, most drywall repairs can be done by even novice DIYers if they are willing to do some digging. With a little knowledge and preparation, even larger drywall repairs can be done easily.
How To Patch Drywall Yourself
Tools And Materials You Will Need
You will have everything you need for basic drywall repairs, whether you are doing a lot of work around your home or just a few small jobs. You can also find everything else at your local hardware shop.
You may need different tools depending on the size and complexity of the job. You will need drywall joint compound and joint tape. You will need actual drywall paneling that can be cut to size for medium-sized to large jobs. These jobs will also require drywall screws, tape measures, a saw, and a drill bit.
Plan For Your Repair Job
Consider the extent of damage to your job. Joint compound is usually sufficient to repair damage that doesn’t reach the ceiling. This can even be done for gouges that are smaller than a half-dollar or less.
You can purchase mesh patches to cover gouges that are slightly larger. These can be attached with joint compound or drywall tape. For damage that meshes cannot cover, you will need to remove some wall material and replace it with new drywall.
A Note About Safety
As with any large job, drywall work can pose safety risks that could cause injury. Protect your eyes and nose from fine dust particles by wearing a dust mask. Before working with materials such as joint compound or paint, be sure to review the safety information.
Repairing Small Damage
Popped Nails, Cracks And Dings
You don’t need all the tools to fix drywall properly for small cracks, chips or popped nails. Although it only takes a few steps, you will need to allow the drywall to dry before you can finish it.
Drive in Nail, or Cut Around Crack
You can pound the nail further into the wall if it is popped. Use a nail set to drive the nail within a few millimeters. Next, remove any debris or loose drywall material from around the nail. You can also remove any debris and loose drywall material from around a crack until it is completely removed.
Apply Joint Compound
Use your utility knife, drywall knife, or a drywall knife to repair the damage using a little bit of joint compound. It is easy to use too much joint compound for jobs this large. Allow the first coat to dry before applying a second. Let it dry, then inspect the work to ensure that it is even with the wall.
Sand and Paint
Next, sand the surface with medium-grit paper until it is smooth and matches the original drywall. To get the best results, test your paint separately on a small piece of drywall before you apply it to the wall. Even if the color of the paint you use is the same as the one you used before, the new batch might have a slightly different hue.
Smaller Holes
A drywall mesh patch kit is available for small holes in walls that are too large to be covered by the above methods. These kits are ideal for small holes caused by things such as doorknobs that have gone missing.
Mesh Patch to Cover
This is the hard part. The mesh patch will have an adhesive surface that sticks tightly to the wall. Before pressing down, ensure that the mesh patch is flush with the existing wall. Before you proceed, make sure there are no loose areas.
Spackle
Cover the patch with your joint compound or spackle. Make feathered edges so it blends in with the wall. You’ll still have plenty of room for work when you sand it. You want your spackle to be as smooth as possible. Don’t apply too much compound. Overdoing it can cause the compound to dry unevenly and have weak points. It is a good idea to apply two coats of compound before you move on.
Sand and Paint
Allow the patch to dry for several hours. (Refer to your joint compound instructions for drying times). Use medium-grit sandpaper to smoothen the patch so it matches the surrounding drywall. Protect your carpeting by covering it in dust before it falls to the floor.
After you are satisfied with the surface’s smoothness and level, it is time to start painting. Before you apply your paint, test it on some test drywall.
Larger Holes Can Be Repaired
Draw The Hole
The first step in repairing a large hole is to draw a map of the area. It is important to determine how much drywall you will need and what size it will be. You can use a tape measure, or a carpenter’s square to mark at least one inch beyond the area that is damaged on all sides. Next, use your stud locater to find the closest stud on either side of the hole.
Remove The Area Surrounding The Hole
You will now need to use a saw or knife to remove the frame that you have drawn around the hole. Mark the area where you want to cut the stud and then go back 3/4in to locate the center. These spots are important because your replacement patch’s edges should be attached to the studs.
Slowly cut the frame. Make multiple passes so you don’t damage the wall studs. After the frame is separated from the wall, you should carefully pull it out. You could cause further damage to surrounding drywall if you force it out.
Make A Support Request And Install
This step can be skipped, but it is highly recommended. To hold the plywood in place, cut a piece that is the same length as the gap. This will provide extra support for gaps that would otherwise be vulnerable to new drywall.
Drywall Should Be Cut To The Appropriate Size
Hold your replacement drywall over the area that is damaged. Take measurements of the area around the hole and use a drywall knife or a ruler to reduce it to the right size for installation.
Attach The Drywall Repair Patch
Then, place the repaired patch in the wall. Place your drywall screws at least an inch from the edge of the patch to ensure that they don’t crack or split it. Then drill them into the wall. Tape and spackling will be used to seal the area.
Complete Drywall Repair Patch
Once the hole is filled, you can secure the patch. Apply adhesive fiberglass drywall tape to the edges. For the best hold, place the tape on the edge of the hole. To ensure that the tape sticks to the wall, it is a good idea not to go any further than the edges of each end. This will allow you to cover the patch smoother.
Make Sure You Cover The Repair Patch
Use your utility knife or drywall tape to spread joint compound over the area. Smoothen the joint compound evenly, making sure to avoid any pockets or bubbles. Let it dry overnight before applying a second coat. A third coat is appropriate for large jobs and fine textures.
Sand, Paint, Or Smooth
To avoid any water damage, dry the surface with medium sandpaper. Wipe with a damp cloth after drying. You are now ready to paint. Make sure you test the paints before applying them to your home.
