Drywall is tough. But it is not indestructible. It can sustain cracks or holes over time. The good thing is that drywall is easy to repair. That is if you know how to do it right. Doing it the wrong way will worsen the damage. Using the wrong products will make your repairs more difficult. Here are things that you should and should not do when repairing drywall.
DO:
Use the right stuff. Use joint compound to repair minor scratches and dents smaller than half an inch across. You can apply it using a 3-inch or 4-inch putty knife. This knife is for drywall work unlike the utility knife for wood putty. Use the knife to smooth the filler until it is flush with the wall.
Use reinforcing mesh before spackling larger holes. Applying joint compound on large holes is not a good idea. The damage will only reappear. Especially when the house settles and the joint compound dries and crumbles.
Buy pre-made products to simplify repair tasks. There are patch kits with reinforced center panels and self-adhesive tape. These are great for repairing smaller holes. You can also use a drywall compound and primer combo. It will leave a surface ready to paint.
Be careful when cutting into a wall. Make sure there are no affected electrical cords and plumbing lines behind the wall. Shine a flashlight into the wall if it is only a few inches wide. Check what is behind and confirm it is safe to cut through it. Cut a horizontal line using a drywall saw if the hole is too small. Avoid going deeper than an inch. Hotwires are often present near electrical outlets. Remember that not all home builders or renovators follow electrical and plumbing codes. Wires and pipes are sometimes found where they should not be.
Use less joint compound. A thin coat is a lot easier to sand. It will also lessen the possibility of sanding too much and exposing the patch.
DO NOT:
Waste time. Do not try to experiment and come up with your own combo. There are products specific to your needs that you could buy in the market.
Be messy. Do not ignore random strands of mesh tape or frayed edges of wallboard paper around holes or cracks. Use a box cutter or other sharp blade to cut them before you apply joint compound. Your finished work will show bumps and other blemishes if you take these for granted.
Skimp on sanding. The repair site will be very noticeable if you cut corners on sanding. Let the repaired area dry first. Then use fine-grit sandpaper. Add a second layer of mud after the first round of sanding. Make sure you spread it about 2 inches beyond the boundaries of the first layer. Let it dry again and then re-sand.
Forget to inspect. Run your hands over the repair and make sure it feels smooth. Put your temple against the wall and look for humps that need more sanding.
Once you feel satisfied with the look and feel of your patch job, finish it by priming and painting the area. Ask for professional help if you do not have time to do the repairs yourself. Drywall repair Havertown professionals are easy to contact and are available around you.