Drywall Repair Is a Time Consuming Project That Should Be Completed by a Professional
Drywall Repair Las Vegas is a time-consuming project that a professional should complete. Minor blemishes like nail holes and dents can be touched with paint, but large dings or cracks are better repaired professionally.
Patch kits are available for small holes, but for larger problems, you will need drywall compound and a putty knife. Use mesh joint tape to strengthen the patch and reduce shifting and cracking.
Process
Drywall is fairly sturdy stuff, but it’s not indestructible. If your wall gets dented, you’ll need to patch the hole. Small dents and scratches can be filled with spackle, but larger holes will require some extra work. Larger holes require a drywall patch kit, a utility knife, a stud finder and drywall screws. Before you start, put on a face mask and eye protection and lay down a drop cloth to protect your flooring.
Start by using your stud finder to locate the studs around the hole. Make a mark at least 1 inch above and below the damaged area on each side. Cut out the area around each stud with your utility knife. Then, use a drywall saw to cut through the old piece of drywall. Make sure to lift away the debris as you go to keep it from falling into the wall cavity.
Once the area is clean, sand it to smooth any rough edges. Apply a few coats of joint compound to the patch, sanding between each application. After each coat, sand the patch with 220-grit sandpaper until it is smooth and flush with the rest of the wall.
When you’re finished, apply a primer to the repaired area, and then two topcoats of paint in your chosen color. You’ll have a professional-looking repair that’s undetectable to anyone who doesn’t know you did it yourself!
Cracks are another common drywall problem, caused by shrinkage and settling of the house frame. They can appear on the outside of walls, or inside, near windows and doors. If you notice a crack, use a utility knife to cut through the tape and drywall to expose the crack. Then, use a putty knife to apply a thin layer of joint compound over the crack. Wait until it dries, then sand it smooth.
If the crack is in an interior wall, you can reinforce it with scrap 2 x 4 boards or plywood. Screw one in the top and bottom of each support board, then a second screw in the middle along the studs. This will help prevent the crack from resurfacing later on.
Materials
Drywall is tough, but it’s not indestructible. It can get dented by anything from run-ins with your vacuum cleaner to a child flinging a toy. Fortunately, drywall repair is easy, and it’s relatively inexpensive to do. The key is to use the right materials and follow the proper steps. If done correctly, the repairs will be indiscernible to landlords or homebuyers.
The main materials used in drywall repair are joint compound and spackle. Joint compound, also known as drywall mud or just mud, is a white, thick substance that dries to a hard consistency. It’s comprised mainly of gypsum and limestone, but it can contain other ingredients such as clay, mica, perlite, and starch. It’s not as expensive as plaster, but it may be more costly than a tub of paint. Joint compound is available in many different brands, and the brand you choose will determine how easy it is to work with.
Aside from joint compound, you’ll also need a few tools. For the most common hole sizes, a drywall knife and a putty knife will suffice. For larger holes, a joint taping knife may be required as well.
If you’re repairing a textured wall, you’ll need a special kind of joint compound. This specialized material is a little more expensive than ordinary drywall compound, but it offers the benefit of being able to be applied in very thin layers, allowing for faster and easier coverage.
It’s important to note that despite their name, joint compound and spackle aren’t interchangeable. Spackle is designed to be used in small areas, and it has a much thicker consistency than joint compound. Because of this, it’s more difficult to spread and smooth.
Once the patch and tape are covered, it’s time to apply the first layer of drywall compound. If you’re using a patch kit, it will likely include a primer-enhanced spackle, which eliminates the need for priming and makes it much quicker to finish.
Once the drywall compound has dried overnight, it’s time to sand it. This step is usually the most unpleasant, as it can create a lot of dust. It’s important to wear a mask while sanding, as the gypsum and silica dust can irritate your lungs.
Time
As with most home improvement projects, the time it takes to complete a drywall repair depends on the size of the hole and whether or not you repaint. Small holes caused by screws or hooks, nail pops or minor pest infestations are easy for DIYers to fix with spackle and a bit of patience. This type of drywall repair can be done in a few minutes, though you will need to wait for it to dry if you plan to repaint the wall.
Larger holes and cracks in drywall are more complicated to repair, but they can also be more expensive because of the additional labor involved in cutting out damaged sections and adding furring strips. This can add up to several days or a week to the project duration. Some larger repairs can be made by replacing a full sheet of drywall, but this is a significant project that requires the removal of existing wall coverings, mudding, taping and sanding.
Cracks in drywall can appear at any time, from a few hours to a few months after the wall has been installed. Typically, hairline cracks appear above and below doors and windows and are caused by lumber shrinkage or house settling. They can usually be repaired by applying a thin coat of joint compound to the affected area and sanding it smooth.
If you have a larger crack that may be caused by structural problems, a qualified inspector should evaluate it to determine the appropriate course of action. For severe cracks, it may be necessary to replace the entire sheet of drywall, which is more costly than patching individual areas.
It’s also important to locate the studs in your walls before making any cuts or fasteners. Utilities, including electrical wiring and plumbing, run along the studs. Identifying the stud locations will help you avoid making contact with these essential utilities and ensure your drywall repair project is safe and successful.
While a small hole or crack in drywall might seem like a simple do-it-yourself project, many people find the process frustrating and difficult, and the damage can quickly become worse. Professional drywall contractors have the experience and skill to make quick work of even the most complex repairs, saving you valuable time and money.
Cost
Drywall is a common wall and ceiling material that consists of boards lined up alongside one another with adhesive drywall mud or tape. The cost to repair drywall depends on the type and extent of damage. Superficial damage like small nail holes or hairline cracks can be patched and repainted for a quick fix that won’t break the bank, while more extensive damage will require professional drywall installation. In either case, hiring a skilled contractor can reduce the risk of further issues by correcting the underlying problem.
The method used for repairing drywall will also affect the cost. For example, a contractor might use spackle or joint compound to fill in small holes and cracks and smooth the surface. This is typically followed by sanding down the excess compound for a smooth finish. More extensive repairs may involve replacing a section of drywall or installing new corner bead. This is typically priced by the square foot or by the hour, depending on the complexity of the work.
When it comes to large holes, a pro can often fix the damage by patching the hole and then using tape, mud, and sanding to create a seamless transition to the surrounding wall. Depending on the size of the hole, this can take up to four days.
It is typically standard practice for a contractor to paint the repaired area so it matches the rest of the wall or ceiling. This can add an extra $990 to $1,320 onto the overall repair bill.
Similarly, many drywall professionals charge by the hour for the actual work they do, plus an additional flat fee for the materials they purchase on your behalf. The average hourly rate is $75, so the total cost can quickly add up if your home needs a lot of repairs.
There are some specialized jobs that require drywall specialists, such as installing or repairing sagging or pillowed ceilings. This type of job can be very costly, as the pro will need to replace the drywall and potentially address any problems with the roof or plumbing that could have caused the issue in the first place.
