Drywall is a common material used to build interior walls and ceilings in homes and buildings. It is made of gypsum plaster sandwiched between two sheets of paper. Drywall is also known as plasterboard, wallboard, or sheetrock.
Drywall is easy to install and relatively inexpensive, but it is also prone to damage from various sources, such as nails, screws, doorknobs, furniture, moisture, and cracks. Fortunately, repairing drywall is not a difficult task if you have the right tools and materials. In this guide, we will show you how to patch and repair drywall for different types of damage, from small dents and holes to large holes and cracks.
How to Patch and Repair Small Dents and Holes
Small dents and holes are the most common types of drywall damage. They can be caused by nails, screws, picture hangers, or accidental impacts. To patch and repair small dents and holes, you will need the following tools and materials:
• Lightweight spackle
• Putty knife
• Sandpaper
• Paint
The steps are as follows:
- Scrape away any loose debris from the dent or hole with the putty knife.
2. Fill the dent or hole with lightweight spackle using your finger or the putty knife. Make sure the spackle is level with the rest of the drywall surface.
3. Let the spackle dry for 15 to 30 minutes or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Sand the patched area with fine-grit sandpaper until smooth.
5. Brush away any dust and touch up the paint with a soft cloth or a small brush.
How to Patch and Repair Medium Holes
Medium holes are larger than nail holes but smaller than 4 inches across. They can be caused by doorknobs, fists, or other objects. To patch and repair medium holes, you will need the following tools and materials:
• Drywall repair kit (includes a self-adhesive mesh patch, joint compound, putty knife, and sandpaper)
• Paint
The steps are as follows:
- Place the self-adhesive mesh patch over the hole. Make sure it covers the hole completely and sticks to the surrounding drywall.
2. Apply a thin layer of joint compound over the patch with the putty knife. Smooth out any excess compound and feather the edges into the drywall.
3. Let the joint compound dry for 24 hours or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Sand the patched area with fine-grit sandpaper until smooth.
5. Brush away any dust and touch up the paint with a soft cloth or a small brush.
How to Patch and Repair Large Holes
Large holes are bigger than 4 inches across. They can be caused by plumbing leaks, electrical work, or remodeling projects. To patch and repair large holes, you will need the following tools and materials:
• Drywall saw
• Utility knife
• Tape measure
• Drywall piece (cut to fit the hole)
• Construction adhesive
• Drywall screws
• Drill
• Drywall tape
• Joint compound
• Drywall knife
• Sandpaper
• Paint
The steps are as follows:
- Cut a piece of drywall into a square shape that is 2 inches larger in width and height than the hole.
2. Score the back of the drywall piece along the edges with the utility knife and snap off the excess paper and gypsum.
3. Trace around the drywall piece on the wall with a pencil.
4. Cut out the traced area with the drywall saw. Be careful not to damage any wires or pipes behind the wall.
5. Apply construction adhesive on the back of the drywall piece along the edges.
6. Insert the drywall piece into the hole and press it firmly against the wall.
7. Drive four drywall screws into each corner of the drywall piece with the drill. Make sure they go through both layers of paper and into the wall studs behind them.
8. Cover the seams between the drywall piece and the wall with drywall tape.
9. Apply a thin layer of joint compound over the tape and screws with the drywall knife. Smooth out any excess compound and feather the edges into the wall.
10. Let the joint compound dry for 24 hours or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
11. Sand the patched area with fine-grit sandpaper until smooth.
12. Brush away any dust and touch up the paint with a soft cloth or a small brush.
How to Patch and Repair Cracks
Cracks are long, narrow splits in the drywall. They can be caused by settling, temperature changes, or structural stress. To patch and repair cracks, you will need the following tools and materials:
• Utility knife
• Drywall tape
• Joint compound
• Drywall knife
• Sandpaper
• Paint
The steps are as follows:
- Widen the crack slightly with the utility knife and remove any loose debris.
2. Fill the crack with joint compound using the drywall knife. Make sure the compound fills the crack completely and is level with the rest of the drywall surface.
3. Apply a strip of drywall tape over the crack and press it into the compound with the drywall knife.
4. Apply another thin layer of joint compound over the tape and smooth out any excess compound and feather the edges into the wall.
5. Let the joint compound dry for 24 hours or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Sand the patched area with fine-grit sandpaper until smooth.
7. Brush away any dust and touch up the paint with a soft cloth or a small brush.
How to Repair Textured Drywall
Textured drywall is drywall that has a pattern or texture on its surface, such as orange peel, knockdown, or popcorn. Textured drywall can be damaged by water, mold, or physical impact. To repair textured drywall, you will need the following tools and materials:
• Drywall repair kit (includes a self-adhesive mesh patch, joint compound, putty knife, and sandpaper)
• Textured spray (matches the existing texture)
• Paint
The steps are as follows:
- Follow the same steps as repairing medium holes to patch the damaged area with a self-adhesive mesh patch and joint compound.
2. Let the joint compound dry for 24 hours or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Sand the patched area with fine-grit sandpaper until smooth.
4. Brush away any dust and spray the textured spray over the patched area according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure to blend the texture with the surrounding wall.
5. Let the textured spray dry for 24 hours or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Touch up the paint with a soft cloth or a small brush.
With these tips and techniques, you can patch and repair drywall like a pro and restore your walls to their original condition. Whether you have small dents, large holes, or cracks in your drywall, you can fix them yourself with some basic tools and materials. Remember to always wear protective clothing, gloves, goggles, and a mask when working with drywall and follow all safety precautions.
While patching and repairing drywall can be a satisfying DIY project, it can also be time-consuming, messy, and challenging. If you want to save yourself the hassle and get professional results, you may want to consider calling Browning Craftsman Services. They have the skills, experience, and tools to handle any drywall damage, from small dents to large holes. They can also match any texture and paint color to make your walls look as good as new. Don’t let drywall damage ruin your home’s appearance and value. Contact Browning Craftsman Services today and get a free estimate for your drywall repair needs.