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Types of Drywall Repair
Every home is unique and requires special attention when it comes to its drywall. Professional drywall specialists like Drywall Repair Las Vegas offers expertise, customization, efficiency, and value.
If you have light texture on your walls, find a piece of paper with some larger, medium and smaller bumps and use it as a pattern for the repairs. This will make them blend in better.
Anytime physical damage occurs to drywall in your home, it needs to be repaired. This can include holes in the wall, cracks, and even mold or water damage. Some of these repairs require a professional while others can be done by the homeowner. The type of repair will depend on the cause of the damage and the extent of it.
Small holes may only need a patch kit, which includes all the tools you need to make the repair. These kits are designed to fix holes about the size of a doorknob or smaller. They also work for nail pops (small dents in the wall) and small drywall cracks. To complete the repair, you spread a layer of joint compound over the patch and let it dry. This creates a smooth surface that can be painted to match the rest of the wall.
Larger holes require a bit more work and may need to be repaired by a professional. To begin, you’ll need to cut a piece of drywall that is the same size as the damaged area. This can be difficult if you don’t have the right tools or aren’t familiar with drywall installation. Once the replacement drywall is in place, you’ll need to tape the edges and use a putty knife to smooth it and “feather” the edge to help it blend in with the existing wall.
Another common drywall repair is fixing hairline cracks. These cracks are typically caused by lumber shrinkage or settling in the house frame, and they can be unsightly if left unattended. To fill in a crack, apply a thin coat of joint compound with a putty knife and sand it smooth once it has dried.
When two pieces of drywall meet at a corner, they’re connected by an L-shaped metal strip called a corner bead. This bead helps prevent the edges of the drywall from chipping or flaking, but it’s not indestructible. Over time, it can become dented from activities like running a vacuum cleaner over the corner or even from children flinging toys against the wall. If the corner bead is dented, it’s necessary to remove and replace it to fix the hole in the wall.
Water Damage Repairs
Water damage to drywall is a serious issue that must be dealt with immediately. If the damage is not addressed quickly, your home will be at risk for mold and mildew problems as well as structural damage. In addition, if the water is black water from sewage, the entire area will need to be decontaminated and all materials removed and replaced, including wooden trim boards, carpet padding, and other materials.
Once the unsalvageable materials have been removed and the drywall has dried, it will be ready for repair. It is best to hire a professional for this process to ensure the job is done correctly. The restoration specialist should start by assessing the extent of the damage and discussing your options, such as if you want everything restored back to how it was or if you would like to use this opportunity to upgrade materials.
If the drywall has only minor water stains, it may be possible to simply touch up the affected areas and repaint them. A reputable drywall contractor will be able to advise you of the best course of action.
Small holes and dents can be fixed with spackle, although it is best to use a lightweight joint compound for this type of job. The joint compound will be able to hide the patch better and allow for easy sanding before painting.
If the damage is more extensive, it will be necessary to replace the damaged drywall. Drywall replacement is a more involved process, and it requires specialized tools. A drywall expert will cut out the damaged section of drywall, remove any loose plaster or other debris, and install new drywall that matches the existing texture and color of the wall. It will then need to be sanded, primed, and painted. Before hiring a drywall repair and paint company, be sure to read reviews on consumer websites such as Angie’s List or HomeAdvisor to see how other homeowners have been satisfied with their work. It is also a good idea to request a portfolio from the company so you can see examples of their previous work.
Mold Damage Repairs
Mold on drywall requires a bit more care to remove and prevent spread. Especially with painted drywall, it’s best to hire a professional mold remediation company to kill the mold and clean the drywall before attempting any repairs.
Start by marking the area affected with a pencil, making sure to mark beyond where you’ll be cutting the drywall. This will make it easier to cut without causing damage to the other sections of the wall. Next, wear a mask, goggles, and gloves to avoid breathing in the mold spores. If you don’t have a respirator, try using a vacuum with a HEPA filter to capture and kill the mold spores. If possible, use a drywall primer with a built-in fungicidal additive to cover the discoloration and prevent mold from reforming.
Once the spores are killed and any residual residue is removed, it’s time to dry the spot. Damp areas are breeding grounds for mold, so point a fan at the affected area to help it dry quickly. If the spot was caused by a leak, make sure to locate and repair the source of the leak before replacing the drywall.
If the mold is on the backside of the drywall, it’s important to call a professional to perform further investigation. Depending on the severity of the mold, it could be spread to the wood framing and can cause serious home repairs.
After the mold has been removed and the spot is dried, you can repair it with a drywall patch kit or by hand. If you’ve used a drywall patch kit, it’s important to sand down the edges of the patch and smooth it before painting. If you’ve hand-patch, sand the surface and paint over it with mold-resistant interior paint.
Many drywall repairs involve minor indentations, abrasions, scrapes, and holes. If the dents are small, you may be able to fill them with spackle and smooth it with a tool before painting. To avoid future dings, it’s a good idea to keep humidity levels low by running a dehumidifier in moisture-prone rooms.
Drywall Replacement
Drywall is a common construction material, covering the interior walls in most homes and commercial buildings. It’s pretty sturdy stuff, but it’s not immune to the normal wear and tear of everyday living. Holes, cracks, and dents are unsightly and must be repaired before painting can begin.
Minor holes and cracks can usually be repaired with spackle or drywall compound, a putty knife, and a sanding block. Larger holes may require a patch kit or a new piece of drywall. If the hole goes through the wall, it may also need to be reframed with a piece of furring strip and a drywall screw.
Most homes have dents from doorknobs or other hardware, or just general wear and tear. Locating a dent is easy; run your hand along the surface of the wall and locate any bumps or indentations. To repair a dent, you can use a drywall compound that contains fiberglass, which makes it stronger and more durable than other drywall compounds. Apply the compound with a putty knife, and then smooth the area with your sanding block to create a paintable surface.
Nail holes, dings and scrapes are another common drywall issue that can be easily fixed. Use a small putty knife to apply drywall spackle and fill the blemish. Once the spackle is dry, you can sand and apply a second coat to smooth it out before painting.
When two sheets of drywall meet at an outside wall corner, they’re protected by an L-shaped metal strip called a corner bead. This can get dented from vacuuming, a child flinging a toy, or moving furniture. Corner bead can often be restored by removing the loose corner piece, reinforcing the edge with drywall tape, and concealing the area with joint compound.
Repairing a damaged corner bead requires a bit more finesse than other drywall repairs, as you must carefully feather the compound into the rest of the wall. Use a smaller putty knife to apply the joint compound, and then sand it lightly. You can then prime and paint the spot to match the rest of the wall.