Drywall Repair: How to Make Your Walls Look Brand New Again

Dance parties, pillow fights, and indoor soccer matches are all great fun until someone punches a hole in your wall. When that happens, you’ll need to repair the drywall damage quickly to prevent further problems. Contact Drywall Repair Las Vegas immediately for professional help.

Small holes from nails, screws, or picture hangers can usually be fixed with just drywall compound or spackle. Larger holes may require a patch or mesh drywall tape and more than one coat of drywall compound.

The interiors of most homes and many commercial buildings are covered with gypsum wallboard, more commonly known as “drywall.” Over time, this material can become damaged in various ways. Holes, cracks, and peeling joint tape can all be unsightly and in need of repair. When preparing to repaint, it is important that any such damage be repaired before the new coat of paint is applied.

For holes and other minor damage, there are a number of drywall repair kits on the market that make it fairly simple for a competent do-it-yourselfer to patch things up. It is important to keep in mind, however, that the more extensive the damage, the more difficult it will be to hide with a good coat of paint. It is also a good idea to consult with a professional about any damage that is beyond the scope of a typical do-it-yourself project, such as water or termite damage.

Most drywall repairs can be completed in a few days to a week, depending on the amount of damage and the size of the area being worked on. If the damaged area is quite large, it may be necessary to remove the old sheet of drywall in order to properly fix it. In addition, there may be more extensive repair work that needs to take place, such as fixing rotting or settling wood supports and sealing any leaks.

If the damaged area contains major cracks, a professional should be called in to do the repair work to avoid serious structural problems. The same is true for areas with significant water damage as well as cracks caused by a shifting or settling foundation.

For a basic drywall repair, the damaged area can be patched with a mixture of joint compound and sanding powder. After the first coat of mud is applied, a small piece of paper tape can be folded over it and pressed into place with a putty knife that’s made specifically for repairing drywall (rather than a standard utility knife). A second and third coat of mud should then be applied, letting each one dry completely before applying the next. When the surface is sanded, it should be smooth enough to be primed and then painted.

Drywall repair materials

The interiors of most homes and many commercial buildings are covered with gypsum wallboard, also known as drywall. Unfortunately, drywall isn’t indestructible, and the material can suffer damage over time that requires repair. Holes, cracks, and dents are common problems that can leave your walls looking unattractive. The good news is that these imperfections can be repaired with the right materials and techniques. With a little patience, you can make your damaged walls look brand new again.

Small dents and holes can be fixed by covering them with spackle and painting over them. This is a relatively simple process that can be completed with materials purchased at your local hardware store. For larger damages, you may need to purchase a drywall patch kit. This kit includes a patch, spackle, a putty knife, and sandpaper. These kits are available at most lumber yards, home centers, and online retailers.

You can also purchase pre-mixed drywall compound, which is easier to work with than traditional joint compounds. Typically, these are formulated for quick drying, and they can be bought in white or off-white colors. Some varieties are also easy to sand and can be used for patching seams between sheets of drywall.

Once the mud is dry, you can finish the repair job by using self-adhering mesh tape to cover any gaps around the hole or patch. You can then apply a second coat of spackle or drywall compound and use a putty knife to smooth the surface, feathering out the edges so they blend with the surrounding wall. After the second coat dries, you can paint over the area.

Vertical drywall cracks can occur due to lumber shrinkage and the settling of the house frame. These cracks are difficult to repair, but a few tricks can help conceal them. Start by vacuuming the crack to remove loose dirt and debris. Apply a thin coat of flexible crack cover and allow it to dry before sanding it.

Nail and screw holes often suck up drywall mud, leaving a hole that is hard to find. To prevent this, dab a little extra mud over the top of the screw or nail hole when applying the first coat. You can also try putting a layer of drywall compound over the hole and cutting it with a putty knife, then lightly sanding it to remove ridges.

Drywall repair techniques

Most homeowners have to deal with drywall repairs from time to time, ranging from nail pops and cracks to major damage caused by water leaks or settling. While repairing drywall can seem like an overwhelming project for a do-it-yourselfer, it’s actually fairly simple for small holes and cracks that have not weakened the wallboard.

However, the bigger the hole or crack, the more difficult it is to hide the patch from view. And if the walls are textured, even smaller patches can stand out. It’s important to plan ahead and have a good set of tools before you start.

For small holes, first use a hammer to slightly dimple the surface of the drywall (or if you can see the studs behind it) to flatten out any raised edges, and then cover the hole with a strip of self-adhering drywall tape. Then apply a thin coat of patch drywall compound to the tape and smooth it with a putty knife. Let it dry, then apply a second coat, making sure to extend the first one at least 6 inches beyond the edge of the drywall. When dry, sand lightly with 100-grit sandpaper to smooth out any ridges and blend in the edges, then prime and paint.

If you’re tackling cracks or large holes, it’s best to consult a professional contractor or inspector. They can offer expert advice and recommend the right drywall repair materials for your situation. If you’re determined to do the job yourself, be sure to wear a dust mask or dual-cartridge respirator while sanding joint compound to avoid breathing in the fine, toxic particulates.

There are also a number of ready-made drywall repair products on the market, such as Eclipse, that eliminate the need for spackling and sanding and make the job much faster and easier. These products are especially helpful for fixing nail or anchor holes, screw dents, and cable cord holes. They are designed to be fast and easy, eliminating the need for contractors to rearrange home decor to hide drywall damage until the job can be completed in hours or days.

Drywall Repair Cost

Drywall is a major building component in homes and can take a lot of abuse. It is important to keep on top of repairing and replacing it so that cosmetic damage doesn’t impact the overall look of your home or lead to structural issues later. A DIY patch kit is a simple way to handle minor dings, but larger areas and water damage are better handled by a professional contractor. They can spot any problems with insulation or wires inside the wall, and they can perform a full sheet replacement if necessary.

The cost of drywall repair can vary depending on the extent of the damage. Small cracks and holes from doorknobs are relatively inexpensive to fix, but more significant issues like water damage and settling can be quite costly. A contractor can give you a rough estimate for your specific project after an inspection. Drywall contractors typically charge by the hour or by the square foot, with per-hour charges for smaller jobs and per-square-foot pricing for projects that involve multiple rooms.

A good rule of thumb is to expect to pay around $40 to $60 for an eight-foot by a half-inch sheet of drywall, including labor and materials. This includes a new piece of drywall and the cost of mud, tape, and sanding. Replacing a whole wall requires removing the old piece, re-taping the joints, and sanding again, so this option is typically more expensive.

Many types of drywall can be repaired using a patch kit from your local home improvement store, but if it has mold or was damaged in an earthquake or other event that led to a major hole, then a pro may need to replace the entire sheet of drywall. In this case, the damaged sheet is removed from the studs, a new sheet of green board is screwed in place, and then it is mudded, taped, and sanded.

The cost of repairing or replacing the drywall in a room should also include any additional materials, such as paint or other finishes. It is generally best to have a contractor do the repair, as they can make sure that any stains or paint are compatible with the existing material and will not cause future problems. They can also make sure the seams and corners are properly caulked and sealed.