Drywall repair is a task best left to professionals, especially when dealing with major cracks or water damage. Prompt repairs help preserve your home’s structural integrity and extend its lifespan.

Unlike DIY solutions, professional contractors consider safety and mitigate potential hazards. Additionally, they offer insurance and warranties to ensure your peace of mind. Contact Professional Home Repair now!

One of the simplest methods for drywall repair involves patching holes. This method works well for minor blemishes like dents, nail or screw holes, and scrapes that don’t need to be covered with interior painting. Typically, you can use spackle to repair it and sand the surface afterward for a smooth finish.

The first step is to remove the paper backing from your drywall patch and stick it in place, ensuring that it sticks securely to the wall. Next, apply a layer of joint compound over the patch using a flexible joint knife. This allows the compound to better adhere to the patch and reduces cracking as the house flexes. When applying the compound, it’s important to “feather out” the edges of the patch so that the surrounding drywall doesn’t show through. Then sand the patch until it’s smooth and ready for paint.

If your hole is bigger than a few inches, you will need to replace the damaged section of drywall. This can be done in a few different ways. You can use a drywall patch kit that comes with a reinforced center panel surrounded by self-sticking tape. You can also cut a piece of new drywall to size and install it using drywall screws. Another option is to use furring strips, which are small strips of wood installed on both sides of the damaged area. This method is best for medium-sized holes caused by removed fixtures or accidents, and it provides additional support to prevent future damage.

Once the patch has dried, it’s time to sand the surface and then prime the patched spot. Remember to use a primer that matches the wall color, as an unprimed patch will absorb the top coat of paint and may show through later. Finally, you can paint the patched area to match the rest of the wall.

If you have a textured wall, it’s best to recreate the texture on your patched area. This will help the patch blend in and look like a natural part of the wall rather than an obvious repair. If you’re unsure how to do this, consult a professional or practice on a scrap piece of drywall.

Replacement

When a large hole or crack in your drywall gets worse, it’s time to call in the professionals for replacement drywall repair. This is especially true if you’ve experienced significant structural damage or have mold and mildew growth. In these cases, it’s often more cost effective and more aesthetically appealing to replace the damaged wall than trying to patch up a compromised surface.

If the drywall damage is minimal and limited to small holes, cracks or blemishes, patching and repainting are usually all that is needed. This is also the case for most drywall damage that results from furniture moving, replacing a window or door, or cutting current drywall to install a new light fixture or other hardware.

However, even in these situations, the best drywall contractor should be consulted for an on-sight evaluation of your walls to determine whether repairing or replacing is the right choice.

Generally speaking, if the holes or cracks in your drywall are limited to up to about six inches, then repair is more than adequate. Leaving these types of problems untreated can lead to further problems like your house settling which will result in more cracks, moisture penetration that may lead to mold and other forms of contamination, and it can leave the wall exposed for more serious damage.

For larger holes in drywall, it’s important to use an electronic stud finder or carpenter’s square to mark the studs and locate where you need to cut (Image 1). Then use a drywall saw or reciprocating saw to carefully remove the old drywall until you reach studs on either side of the damaged area. This will make it easier to properly place the new drywall patch and screw it in place.

After the patch is in and you’ve smoothed out the joints with a drywall joint knife, it’s always a good idea to prime and then paint the wall to help protect the patch and prevent future damage from water, mold or insects. A darker color of paint is also helpful to hide sloppy tape seams.

Repairing Cracks

Eventually, even well-built homes develop cracks in their drywall. While some cracks are a simple cosmetic issue that can be handled with spackle, others may be a sign of a larger problem and require professional help. Cracks in drywall that appear around doors and windows are often caused by settling of the house frame. Identifying the cause and taking steps to stop it will prevent the cracks from reappearing.

Before making a repair, clean the area around the crack with a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and debris. If you are concerned about the stability of the wall, place a piece of drywall tape across the crack. Ensure the tape is firmly pressed against the drywall with a putty knife. Apply a thin layer of joint compound over the tape. Wait for the first coat to dry, then sand it smooth with a sanding sponge. Repeat if necessary, applying two layers of joint compound.

To make your drywall repair more attractive, try adding some texture to the repaired area. This can help your patched wall blend in with the rest of the room. If you’ve never added texture before, it’s best to practice on a scrap piece of drywall first. There are several different textures available, including spray, sponge, and textured coatings, so choose the one that matches the wall.

Depending on the type of drywall in your home, you may need to use a special compound when making a hole repair. Drywall mud, or joint compound, is available in four different types. A premixed bucket of all-purpose drywall compound is suitable for most repair jobs, but a lightweight variety that is easier to sand works better for the final coat.

If your drywall has a metal corner bead, it’s likely that it will get dented at some point. This is common, whether from a run-in with a vacuum cleaner or by a child flinging a toy. To fix the damage, remove the corner bead with a hacksaw, then cut a new piece of drywall to the proper size using aviation snips.

Apply a liberal coat of the lightweight joint compound to the new drywall patch, then sand it smooth with sanding sponge. Feather the edges so it blends in with the surrounding wall. When the patch is completely dry, you can paint it if desired.

Water Damage

If your drywall has experienced severe water damage, it may need to be replaced completely. Wet drywall loses its structural integrity and can lead to mold, mildew and crumbling if not addressed quickly and properly. Drywall can be impacted by water from floods, hurricanes, burst pipes, sink overflows and condensation from your air conditioner.

Water damage repair can be a large task that requires the help of an expert restoration contractor. If you’re planning to do it yourself, there are several steps involved including determining the source of the problem, drying and sanitizing the area, patching and replacing damaged areas, and finishing the new wall with paint. This project can be a long and tedious task, but it can be done in stages to make the job less overwhelming.

The first step in repairing a wet wall is to find and address the source of the water. It’s important to fix the leak or remove standing water immediately to prevent further water intrusion and rot. Once the problem has been resolved, you should thoroughly clean and sanitize the affected area. You can do this by removing any debris, washing the surface of the drywall with soap and water, and using a wet/dry vacuum or pump to extract any remaining water.

It’s also important to allow the drywall to fully dry before starting any repairs. This can be done by draining any water remaining on or near the wall, running a dehumidifier in the room and opening windows and doors to improve ventilation. It should take at least three days for the drywall to dry out completely.

One of the most common signs of drywall water damage is discoloration or staining. These are usually dark spots on the wall that don’t match the rest of the room. Irregularly shaped, yellow or chalky-colored marks are another common sign of water damage. If you notice any of these issues, it’s a good idea to consult with a professional to determine if the drywall needs to be replaced or if there are other problems with your home.