Drywall repair is a home maintenance task that homeowners can complete easily with some professional help. All you for drywall repair is the correct skill set, tools, drywall repair patches, and techniques. You need to analyze the size of the hole before you take any repair steps. Small holes are easy to repair and can be repaired by rookies, but bigger holes take much more expertise. However, there is no need for stress, this blog will guide you through the process of drywall repair.
Bedroom Dilemmas
Two things make a bedroom perfect– walls and mattresses. You need to have perfect walls and the perfect mattress. You can check for mattress reviews for Costco options, to find the best mattress. The right mattress is determined by size and firmness. The best size for a mattress is one that fits your bed frame perfectly and doesn’t make your room feel cramped while giving you ample space for sleeping. The perfect firmness depends on your sleeping position and how comfortable it feels under your back.
Drywall Repair Techniques
The size of the hole in your wall determines the repair technique. You may not need all the tools listed below, but the tools you’ll need will be from the list below. Make sure you read this whole blog to understand the size of the hole, the tools and materials you’ll need, and the required technique.
- Tools and Materials: Drywall Repair
- Putty knife
- Sandpaper – 120 grits
- Carpenter’s knife
- Drywall saw
- Broad Knife
- Trowel
- Dust mask
- Drill
- Drywall patch kit
- Joint compound – Premixed
- Drywall tape
- Drywall screws
- Furring strips
- Spackle
Holes Smaller than Nickels: How to Patch Them Up
Small holes are the easiest to fix, they are as easy to fix as frying an egg. A hole larger than a nickel will need repair techniques for medium or large holes. For small holes, you’ll need a spackle or joint compound to help fill the hole. Joint compound comes pre-mixed which is easy for DIY home maintenance tasks. Spackle tends to shrink while drying in large holes and needs extra application. On the other hand, a joint compound also needs a second application and sanding as it runs out or bulges.
Required Materials: Joint Compound or Spackle
Steps to Take:
- Remove loose drywall debris and thoroughly clean the hole.
- If the hole is larger than a dime, put a beveled edge around its circumference using a carpenter’s knife.
- Wipe off any dust using a damp rag.
- Fill the hole with spackle or pre-mixed joint compound using a putty knife.
- Smear the filler around and make it flush with the wall.
- Give the filler some time to air-dry.
- Delicately sand the area with sandpaper.
- Apply a second coat of joint compound or spackle.
- Sand once dry.
- Prime and paint the wall over the filled and fixed hole.
Drywall Patches: Repairing Medium Holes Smaller than Six Inches
For medium holes, if you want a more intricate and professional finish, opt for the large method. You need finesse for this method, to feather the joint compound into the rest of the wall. If medium holes in the wall are taken care of incorrectly, you can expect to see bulges in the wall. Feathering the repair area refers to gradually reducing the thickness outwards. This needs to be done when applying joint compound and in the sanding stage. You can use a drywall repair patch slightly larger than the hole, which you’ll find at a local hardware store.
Required Materials: Joint Compound, Drywall Repair Patch
Steps to Take:
- Sand down the area around the hole and clean it thoroughly.
- Press the adhesive side of the patch onto the wall.
- Use joint compound to cover the patch.
- Use your putty knife in a crisscross pattern while applying the compound.
- Feather the compound after applying enough compound.
- Lightly sand before applying a second layer of compound.
- Make sure the second layer of the compound is dry before sanding it with sandpaper.
- Feather the edges.
- Paint after priming.
Large Holes Bigger than Six Inches: How to Repair Them
The repair techniques for large holes are more time-consuming and require more tools, but the final result looks professional. You need to ensure that you have time on your hands during this method and be careful of nicking wires or plumbing.
Required Materials: Scrap pieces of drywall, furring strips, drywall screws, joint tape, and joint compound.
Steps to Follow:
- Cut out a square piece of scrap drywall a little larger than the hole.
- Place this piece of drywall onto the area that needs to be repaired.
- Cut along your traced lines using a drywall saw.
- Put the furring strips through the hole.
- Pull the furring screws tightly behind the drywall.
- Anchor the furring strips firmly to the front with drywall screws.
- Ensure that the screw heads look flush or slightly dimpled.
- Put the new drywall patch in place.
- Secure the drywall patch to the furring strips with drywall screws.
- Cover your work with drywall joint compound, sand once dry, apply a second coat, wait for it to dry, and sand again.
- Prime and paint.
Tips from Experts
Use the third layer of joint compound for a smoother look.
Make sure you spread the joint compound over a wider area so that you have material to feather.
Wear a dust mask while sanding the joint compound for extra safety.
Use a can of wall texture spray for textured drywall.
A heavy-duty paint-stirring stick works just as well as a furring strip.
Ensure that you never skip the priming step.
A Conclusion: Professional Drywall Repair
Drywall repair is pretty easy if you have the right tools at hand. It can be satisfying to take up DIY home maintenance tasks and fulfilling them can feel like an accomplishment. However, if you don’t have the skills or tools, a professional can help you with not only the tools but also drywall repair. We hope you can repair drywall patches and find the perfect mattress for your bedroom.
