Home Repairs – Drywall Repair
In this article we will attempt to describe drywall repair in a complete easy to understand way.
First we will deal with the tools needed for the job. The following list will assist you in purchasing them.
1. Drywall knife (wide putty knife)- usually 3″ will suffice these are available in disposable plastic if you desire but metal will last forever.
2. Patch Material- Several types available depending on use, this will be discussed in article.
3. Dry Wall Compound (Spackling, Dry-Dex etc) available in different varieties again discussed in article depending on specific use.
4. Sand Paper- There is a special drywall sanding screen if you have a lot of work otherwise any fine grit sandpaper will suffice 120 to 220 grit
5. Hammer
6. Dry wall saw
7. Ruler or tape measure
8. Screws and Screw driver
To start you need to define the damage that needs repair;
SMALL NAIL HOLES can be patched with spackling that is available in a tube like toothpaste. You will not need any other tools for this, simply squeeze a small amount on the hole and smooth out with your finger tip. When dry (usually 12 to 24 hrs if needed sand and prime for paint.
DEEPER SCRATCHES and GOUGES will require more prep. take your hammer and GENTLY! tap along the damaged area to make a “dimple” and make the damaged area lower than the rest of the wall. You will then apply spackling to the wall with your drywall or putty knife overlapping the spackling about 2 to 3 inches onto the wall. Leave the spackling slightly above the level of the wall and let it dry for appropriate time. Lightweight Spackling is usually fast drying you can look on container to get drying time on your specific brand. After it dries sand the spackling down level, feathering out the edges until you don’t feel a bump when you run your hands over it. Wipe off patch with a damp paper towel or sponge a sponge is best if available. This smooths the edges and small imperfections out of patch. after it dries look for small pits or rough sections, if it is smooth prime for painting. If it has small surface imperfections put a very light coat of spackling over it to cover these and allow to dry. Then use wet sponge to smooth out and level patched area, this will give you a very smooth finish. When smooth prime for paint.
HOLES can be patched several ways. Small holes 1 to 1.5 in can be patched by using patch material which is available where spackling is sold, it is a mesh patch or roll of tape designed to be stuck over the hole to support the spackling. Larger holes can be patched by drawing a square around the damaged section and cutting it out with the drywall saw, check inside wall through the hole to be sure there are no wires in your way before cutting! If there is a stud where you cut you can screw the patch to it to hold it in place otherwise you will need to cut 2 small sections of wood that will fit through the hole( I use strips of cut plywood but something like the heavy paint sticks used for stirring 5 gallon cans of paint will work and they are free at most supply houses) sections of a broken yard stick will work. Start a screw on each side of the opening you cut in the wall about 1/2 in from the edge, hold the wood inside the hole with about half of it hanging over the edge so that the patch will rest against it when you put it in the hole repeat with second piece of wood. sink your screws slightly below wall level so they won’t show when spackled. Then measure the hole and cut a section from another piece of drywall that will fit the hole snugly. slip it into the cut opening so that it rest against the wood you screwed into the wall. Use patch tape or cut patch material to cover the edges of patch then cover entire patch with spackling or drywall compound leaving it slightly high then sand when dry. You will probably need to put a second coat on this and sand again to obtain a nice smooth finish. Don’t sand down to the patch material if you hit it on your first coat it is OK second coat will cover. After second coat is dry sand smooth feathering edges and wipe with damp sponge or paper towel. Check for small pin holes or pits put another light coat on if needed, wipe with damp sponge to smooth when it is dry and Prime for paint.
These directions should lead you through the job of patching your wall. Take your time and use as many coats of spackling as necessary to get satisfactory finish. Letting the patched area get dry to the touch and using damp sponge gives a super smooth finish. As the old saying goes “Practice Makes Perfect” just remember if you have a hole you can only make it better than it is now even with a beginners touch. Priming is important because with out priming your patch will appear as a shiny spot in your paint job. There are several types of Spackling and drywall compounds available. I recommend the “Lightweight” fast dry for nail holes and smaller damages and regular for larger repairs. It takes about 24 hours for the regular to dry but I seem to get a smoother finish with it than with the fast dry. If you have a large hole or several smaller holes there are kits available at the larger Home Repair stores that contain all you need for the repairs and they are the best way to purchase everything you need at one time.
If this helped you be on the look out for my other home repair articles to help you do it yourself. THANK YOU!
