Over time, you will start noticing cracks or holes in your drywall. Despite being tough, drywall still needs a little polishing to make it shine like new. The process of how to repair drywall isn’t complicated. You can even do it yourself with the right tools and methods.
It is an art and there are some things you need to do before starting the process. Here is the complete list of do’s and don’ts when repairing drywall.
Inspection
Before and after repairing drywall, this step is important to do. Before repairing, you need to inspect all the places that need repair.
Locate electrical cords or other things like popped nail heads. You will then know what type of approach you need to make for a repair.
After finishing drywall repair, run your hand to the surface and see if it’s suitable to your liking. It might need a little more sanding, or maybe you could still feel some awkward bumps that are bothering you. Quickly fix it before being satisfied with the result.
Use the Right Type of Joint Compound
The first tip on how to repair drywall is to make sure that you are using the right type of joint compound. Some of the mistakes people make are using larger gouges which could make the damage reappear once the house settles. It will soon crumble and leave you with an even bigger hole.
For minor scratches or dents less than ½ inch, you can fill it with drywall mud and the help of a putty knife tool. Make sure you smooth it out until it’s filling the wall perfectly.
Use Furring Strips
When repairing a bigger hole in drywall, you need to make sure that you already provide furring strips. This tool helps you to ensure that the surface will be returned to flat and smooth after the reparation process is finished.
This works for a project larger than 6 inches wide hole. How to repair drywall with furring strips is easy, firstly cut a strip 4 inches longer than the hole and secure it with sets of drywall screws.
You can then attach the new piece of drywall on top of the furring strip with the help of drywall screws.
Don’t Cut Hidden Electrical Cords
After inspecting the drywall, you can map out which area should be avoided. This is crucial because it could be fatal for your house. If you can, look inside the hole in the drywall before repairing it.
Or you could cut a little space before starting the reparation process. Usually, electrical cords will be found near an electric outlet, but that doesn’t mean that anywhere away from it are free from electrical and even plumbing systems.
That is everything you need to know about how to repair drywall. When doing it, you will need to use protection, including but not limited to boots, goggles, disposable gloves, and most importantly dust mask.
Drywall has a nanoparticle that can be toxic to your respiratory system. So, are you ready to start repairing your drywall?