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Here’s How You Can Repair Damages on Your Home’s Drywall

dry wall

Is your home’s drywall damaged? The good news is, you can repair it by yourself. That is, if you have the knowledge, tools, experience, and skills to do it. Keep in mind: if the damaged wall has more than one hole in it, it’s best to replace the entire drywall sheet than to replace a section. 

Before you patch damaged drywall, it’s crucial you check the blueprints of the house first to ensure no electrical wires are running behind the area being cut. If you find that there are electrical wires there, make sure not to cut too deep. 

Another thing is, if there are only small holes, you can use the mud and mesh method instead of cutting out the drywall. 

Now, it’s time to get the repair started! 

What you’ll need:

  • Drywall square
  • Drywall knife
  • Drywall mudding tray
  • Drill
  • Drywall joint compound
  • Mesh drywall tape
  • Drywall
  • 2×4 boards
  • Drywall screws

Remove the Damaged Section

Measure a straight line across the tip and bottom of the damaged section with a level. Use a drywall knife and cut across those lines, but make sure to stop at studs past the broken areas. Cut down the drywall adjacent to the studs until the whole section is removed. 

Add Framing to Attach the Drywall

There are two ways to do this: One is to bisect the undamaged piece of drywall at the stud. By doing so, half the stud will be exposed, which will let you butt the undamaged and new drywall together on that stud. 

Another method is to add a new stud to the existing stud. Compared to the first method, this is a lot quicker because this will eliminate the need to cut the existing drywall in a straight line and give the new drywall a stronger anchor. Use the 2×4 board and nail it to the existing stud. 

Cut and Attach Drywall

When the new and old studs are joined together, measure the hole and cut a corresponding piece of drywall. Place the ends of the drywall in the center of a stud and use drywall screws about every 8-12 inches to attach the drywall to the studs. 

Mud and Tape

If the gap between the existing and new drywall is greater than 1/8 inch, use a quick-drying joint compound to fill the gap. Make sure to mix the drywall compound thoroughly and allow it to reach the consistency of a creamy peanut butter. Cover all the screw dimples and gaps with the mud, then apply mesh across the gaps. This will help create a tight seal. Let the mud and mesh sit for an hour before you add a second layer of mud. 

Paint

When you’re done, it’s time to paint the drywall. Sand it smooth and clean off any debris. Prime and paint the new section of your drywall!

Fix that Drywall Today

Fixing a hole on your drywall can be done by yourself, if you are confident you can. However, you can always seek the help of a professional to do it for you. That way, you can guarantee that the job will be done right. 

AAA Restoration Utah provides disaster restoration services. We can help you fix your drywall, broken and busted pipes, and flood-damaged homes. Contact us today to schedule a service!