Sunday, September 22, 2013

Patching Drywall Holes " How To Get Started

By Brian Winters


Compared to plastering, patching drywall holes is easier since they don't require a lot of time to fully dry out. Though drywall is not the most durable material in covering walls and ceilings, it shouldn't be a problem as long as you know how to patch drywall and secure them to the joists.

For a successful drywall repair, you will need the following tools and materials:

-Steel square

-Utility knife

-Drywall saw

-Taping knives

-Scrap wood

-Drywall nails

-Mesh tape

-Spackling compound

-Drywall sandpaper

First thing to do is measure and outline the hole, extending at least an inch or two on all sides. Check if there are studs installed on each end to provide support for the new patch. It may take a while to finish the drywall if you have an irregularly-shaped hole.

Reach inside the hole if there are any obstructions behind the panel. To remove the damaged area, use a utility knife to run it over the lines. You may have to repeat this step until the drywall is completely detached. Do not forget to remove the torn paper edges before you proceed.

For an added support, install a piece of back framing using the wood scrap longer than opening. It is important to countersink the nail heads to make it easier to finish the drywall afterwards. In case the nail heads are not drilled below the surface, you may have to apply multiple layers of mud to cover them.

You can now attach the panel inside the hole and drill the screws to the joists. To prevent the drywall from crumbling, do not screw nails near the edges. When drilling, make sure not to screw the nails too deep.

Seal the gap in between by taping all the seams with a mesh tape. To prevent having a bubbled tape effect, press the fiberglass tape evenly and smooth it out on the edges. Use a spackling compound to cover the tape pieces and let it dry. Once dry, cover the entire panel with spackling compound and feather out the edges. Leave it for a couple of hours and sand the panel lightly to remove the bumps and beads.

Simple isn't it? Knowing how to patch should be easy as long as you're willing to get your hands dirty. However, feel free to contact a specialist for professional help.




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