7 Different Ways to Repair Drywall
With my step-by-step guide, I will help you fix damaged drywall all throughout your home.
If you find yourself staring at damaged walls and ceilings in your home, it might be time for a little TLC and an update. The interiors of most homes are covered with gypsum wallboard, which is commonly known as drywall, or by its trade name, Sheetrock. Drywall is durable to a degree, but it can only take so much before you start to see holes, cracks, and dents — especially if you’ve got toddlers or pets running around.
In most cases, you will notice some Anchored on the wall, and that commonly happens when even previous owners wanted to hand items and picture frames on the wall. Usually, these anchors are flat on the wall and to take them out you need to know how to remove Drywall Anchors Properly, follow the link to learn more.
Ok, Now let’s keep Going Fortunately, most drywall damage can be repaired quickly and easily. All you need are some basic tools, the right materials, and a few tricks of the trade. This step-by-step DIY guide will show you how to repair drywall — from doorknob damage, to cracks under the window, all the way to saggy ceilings — but first, we need to go over some safety measures.
Tips To Stay Safe While You Repair Drywall
1) Lift Carefully. When patching extensive damage, it’s best to buy full 4-by-8 foot sheets of drywall, and then cut them down to size as needed. But, be advised that a full sheet of standard 1/2-inch drywall weighs about 54 pounds.
Drywall sheets are awkward to lift and carry, so you’ll want to avoid straining your back. If possible, always work with a helper and remember to lift with your knees, not your back. Also, be careful when leaning drywall sheets against stuff. If a sheet should fall over, it could severely injure someone, especially a child or pet.
2) Empty Bucket Warning. Premixed joint compound comes in various size buckets, which are handy to use around the house and yard once they’re empty. However, five-gallon buckets pose a serious threat to toddlers. The buckets are just the right height that if a small child leans over the edge, they can tumble in headfirst and find themselves unable to scramble out. Therefore, if you use the bucket for carrying water, never leave the bucket unattended, even if it’s holding just a few inches of water. And, never leave buckets outdoors where they can fill with rainwater, creating a potential drowning hazard.
If you use the buckets primarily for carrying and storing tools, gardening supplies, and other dry goods, eliminate the possibility of a child drowning by drilling drainage holes through the side and bottom of the bucket.
3) Clean Up the Dust. Making drywall repairs typically requires sanding joint compound to produce a smooth, unblemished surface. However, joint compound dust is a respiratory irritant that contains super-fine gypsum and silica particulates. When sanding joint compound, always wear a dust mask, or better yet, a dual-cartridge respirator, to protect your lungs.
It’s also a good idea to spread a drop cloth on the floor where you’re sanding. When done sanding, wipe the dust off the drop cloth with a damp sponge, then clean the surrounding areas with a shop vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter. Once the air has settled, finish up by vacuuming. This two-step cleaning is necessary because most household vacuums can’t capture super-fine sanding dust, and will only blow it back into the air.
The two most common types of premixed drywall compounds — also known as spackle — are lightweight and all-purpose. The lightweight product weighs about one-third less than all-purpose, it dries more quickly, and takes less effort to sand smooth. All-purpose compound dries harder and typically costs less.
Both types are easy to apply and have a shelf life at room temperature of about nine months. If you have drywall damage in several rooms, buy a five-gallon bucket of compound. For smaller repairs, something like this will suffice.
Note that dry-mix joint compound is also available, which comes in powder form. It must be mixed with water to the proper consistency prior to application. Dry-mix compound is more affordable than the pre-mixed varieties, but pre-mix compound is easier and quicker to use for DIY repairs.
Problem 1: Doorknob Damage
Step 1: One of the most common drywall repairs occurs when a door is swung open a little too forcefully and the doorknob punches a hole through the drywall. The simplest way to fix the hole is with a peel-and-stick repair patch. The patch consists of an adhesive-backed aluminum screen that’s reinforced by fiberglass mesh. Simply peel off the protective backing and press the patch over the hole.
Step 2: Use a four- or six-inch-wide drywall knife to apply joint compound over the patch. Be sure to apply enough pressure to force the compound through the mesh. After the compound dries, sand lightly and apply a second, thinner coat of compound, making sure to extend it a few inches beyond the first coat. Repeat a third and final time. When dry, sand lightly, then prime and paint.
⚒️ Problem 2: Crumpled Corner Bead
Step 1: When two sheets of drywall meet at an outside wall corner, they’re protected by an L-shaped metal strip called a corner bead. Corner bead is nailed over the corner and then concealed by two or three layers of joint compound. Metal corner bead is pretty tough stuff, but it’s not indestructible. It can get dented through any number of activities, including run-ins with the vacuum cleaner, a child flinging a toy, or when moving furniture. The good news is that, ordinarily, only a small section of the corner bead gets damaged, making the repair much simpler.