Drywall Repair Basics

Have you ever opened a door a little bit to hard and next thing you know you have a door knob dent in your drywall?

Whether it’s door knob dents or cracks, drywall repairs need to happen every now and then. There are a few basic ways the damage can be repaired. There are a few basic supplies, procedures, and tools you will need to complete the repairs.

If the damage is really large, for example, a whole home infected with black mold, then it is better to call a professional. Simply replacing the drywall may not be enough to secure you and your family.

Preparations

Before performing any repairs to your home, it is important to take a measurement of the whole area. This includes the thickness of the drywall you want to replace. Most drywalls come in a variety of thicknesses but the most common ones are 3/8th and ½ inches.

You may also need to treat the drywall before attempting to fix the issue. This depends entirely on the area you want to focus on. While drywall is fire and water resistant, if the wall you are attempting to fix has been exposed to a lot of high heat and humidity, you may need to consult a professional.

Tools

You may need some tools to fix the issues in the drywall. Most of them consist of common household items, but it depends on the repairs you are doing. You may need:

• Contractor’s pencil
• Ladder
• Drywall saw
• Drywall knife (box cutter)
• Drywall trowels (wide ones)
• Screw gun
• Measuring tape
• Hammer
• 4’ level

The knives and saws need to be sharp so they properly cut through the existing drywall. It is also very important to have a clean, straight towel blade on hand. If there are some nicks and dents in the repaired drywall, it can leave an uneven finish to the wall.

Supplies

After collecting all the tools you may need, start to gather the supplies for the job. For different jobs, you may need to invest in different ones, but where drywall is concerned, they mostly include:

• All-purpose joint compound
• Scrap pieces of drywall (or sheets, if repairing a large area)
• Paper drywall tape
• Sandpaper or sanding blocks
• Drywall screws or nails
• Dust mask

The drywall will need some other supplies to finish the whole job as well. These can include:

• Primer
• Paint
• Leftover paint to match the rest over walls.

The Repairs

Make sure all your equipment is ready before you start the project. If you are repairing a complete wall or room, start with the ceiling. Always remember to work your way down.

To check for bowed joists, use a level. Anything more than a clearance of up to 1/8th of an inch will require the use of drywall shims.  Nail or screw the drywall to frame of the walls at 16th of inch intervals. Be careful to never tear the paper. Do your research on hanging drywall since it can be part of the process depending on the project. Use thin layers of mud and tape to secure the repair and smooth everything out with a drywall trowel. Finish with a coat of paint to match the colors of the room.

If the repairs are due to mold or water damage, it is better to call a professional from the water repair service. They can properly inspect the damage. If you attempt to do anything, just make sure the structure is safe to continue repairs.

Whenever you find yourself needing help, no worries, we have your back!