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How to Repair Drywall
USINFO | 2013-07-31 14:19
Such minor flaws as dents and small nail holes can be repaired by filling the area with vinyl spackling compound after sanding it clean. Choose a putty knife appropriately sized to the blemish, and, if more than one layer of compound is required, make sure you allow each layer to dry completely between applications.
Popped nails can be fixed by tapping the popped nail beneath the wall’s surface and then driving a second nail or drywall screw next to it to hold the first nail in place. Dimples can be filled with joint compound.
Major Drywall Repairs
A utility knife is used for making straight cuts in the drywall.
If a wall has a large dent or hole, the damaged area must be replaced with a new piece of drywall of identical thickness. The tricks involved in doing this well are 1) to fasten the new replacement piece securely, even where wall studs are not available for attachment, and 2) to blend in the new piece of drywall with the rest of the surface so it appears seamless.
Drywall Repair Patch
Start by cutting out the area to be replaced so that you have a tidy rectangular hole to work with. Mark this cutout with a pencil. Then use a utility knife or drywall saw to make the cuts. If you use a utility knife, you will need to score repeatedly along a straightedge to cut all the way through the drywall. Then cut a replacement piece to fit the hole.
The best way to attach the replacement piece will depend on its size and whether or not there are wall studs backing it. To attach the new piece of drywall securely, see the directions in How to Fix Holes in Drywall.
Once the replacement piece is securely fastened, blending in the surface so the repair is not noticeable usually requires three applications of drywall joint compound. Because the area has to dry completely after each application, this can take a couple of days. Your supplies will include ready-mix joint compound; 2-inch drywall tape, either perforated or mesh; taping knives in 4-, 6-, and 10-inch sizes; and 400-grit sandpaper and a sanding block.
Load about half of a 4-inch taping-knife blade with joint compound and, holding the knife at a 45-degree angle, apply it to the seams. Apply the next layer with a 6-inch blade after the first layer is completely dry, usually after 24 hours. Do the same for the third layer, only this time use the 10-inch blade. Finally, smooth the surface when it is completely dry with a wet sponge and sand the seams with the sandpaper wrapped around the sanding block.
Popped nails can be fixed by tapping the popped nail beneath the wall’s surface and then driving a second nail or drywall screw next to it to hold the first nail in place. Dimples can be filled with joint compound.
If a wall has a large dent or hole, the damaged area must be replaced with a new piece of drywall of identical thickness. The tricks involved in doing this well are 1) to fasten the new replacement piece securely, even where wall studs are not available for attachment, and 2) to blend in the new piece of drywall with the rest of the surface so it appears seamless.
Start by cutting out the area to be replaced so that you have a tidy rectangular hole to work with. Mark this cutout with a pencil. Then use a utility knife or drywall saw to make the cuts. If you use a utility knife, you will need to score repeatedly along a straightedge to cut all the way through the drywall. Then cut a replacement piece to fit the hole.
The best way to attach the replacement piece will depend on its size and whether or not there are wall studs backing it. To attach the new piece of drywall securely, see the directions in How to Fix Holes in Drywall.
Once the replacement piece is securely fastened, blending in the surface so the repair is not noticeable usually requires three applications of drywall joint compound. Because the area has to dry completely after each application, this can take a couple of days. Your supplies will include ready-mix joint compound; 2-inch drywall tape, either perforated or mesh; taping knives in 4-, 6-, and 10-inch sizes; and 400-grit sandpaper and a sanding block.
Load about half of a 4-inch taping-knife blade with joint compound and, holding the knife at a 45-degree angle, apply it to the seams. Apply the next layer with a 6-inch blade after the first layer is completely dry, usually after 24 hours. Do the same for the third layer, only this time use the 10-inch blade. Finally, smooth the surface when it is completely dry with a wet sponge and sand the seams with the sandpaper wrapped around the sanding block.
