The best methods for fixing drywall depend on the type of damage sustained. Drywall damage can range from a hairline crack to a large hole. Repairing small cracks and holes will require filling the crack or hole with joint compound and sanding smooth. Repairing larger holes will require replacing a wall section with extra drywall.
A few tools are commonly needed when fixing drywall. These might include a cloth to clean surfaces before repairing, a utility knife, a putty knife, joint compound, sandpaper, adhesive, extra drywall pieces, a hammer and nails. It is important to know which type of repair will be used when fixing drywall so that proper materials are gathered.
Fixing drywall that has a small crack in it usually is quite easy. To begin, the surface must be clean and dry. A putty knife can be used to spread joint compound over the drywall crack. The compound should be pressed as far as possible into the crack. The compound should be allowed to dry completely and then should be sanded down. The area will then be ready to be primed and painted.
Larger cracks in drywall require a different approach when fixing drywall. The area should be prepared same way as for repairing a small crack. A thin layer of joint compound should be spread over the crack, and then a piece of joint tape should be placed over the crack. Another thin layer of joint compound should be placed over the joint tape, and the area should be allowed to dry completely. After the area is dry, it can then be sanded down and primed and painted.
Small holes in drywall can be filled and plastered over. The hole can be filled with an item such as a wad of newspaper, and then a thick layer of joint compound can be placed over the hole. To insure that the surface is flat, several repeat applications of joint compound might need to be applied. Each layer must be dry before the next one is added. After the compound has been applied and is dry, the area is ready to be sanded, primed and painted.
Repairing larger drywall holes generally involves replacing the drywall instead of patching it. A saw can be used to cut a square or rectangle into the wall around the hole, and the entire section can be removed. A piece of extra drywall can be cut 2 inches (5.08 cm) larger than the section that was removed from the wall, then the layers of drywall can be cut down, leaving a 2-inch (5.08-cm) edge of just paper. The edge of the hole can be covered with adhesive and the replacement section placed over the hole. Joint compound can be placed along the seams and allowed to dry, and it then can be sanded, primed and painted.
