Drywall Repair Mesa AZ can withstand quite a bit of damage, but it’s not immune to stains and cracks. Ignoring these problems can lead to more serious structural issues or health concerns, such as mold and mildew.
Holes and dents are easy to fix with a drywall patch kit and putty knife. Once the patch is in place, a professional can repaint the area for a smooth finish.
Drywall cracks are a common occurrence and usually not a cause for alarm. However, wide cracks or cracks that recur over time should be examined by a professional to ensure they aren’t indicative of structural issues.
To repair a cracked section of drywall:
- Begin by removing any loose pieces. You may need to cut off any ragged edges with a utility knife, depending on the size of the crack.
- Carefully use a saw or hammer to lever out the drywall nails from the stud behind (Image 1).
- Once you have removed the nails, carefully cut through the stud at the bottom of the wall using a jigsaw, and then with a utility knife, cut vertically around the corner bead (Image 2).
If you are fixing a ceiling crack, remove any debris from the area and clean the crack. Once the surface is clean, apply a thin coat of joint compound to the entire surface. This will act as a sealant and will help prevent future cracking. Allow the compound to dry completely before continuing.
When applying the compound, be sure to spread it evenly over the surface. Also, be sure to feather the edges of the compound so that it blends in with the rest of the wall. Once the compound has dried, sand the area lightly to create a smooth surface.
Next, apply a piece of mesh fiber tape to the crack. This will reinforce the drywall and help prevent further cracking. Apply a second coat of joint compound over the tape, and once again, be sure to spread it evenly and feather the edges.
Once the second layer of joint compound dries, sand it once again with coarse sandpaper. Once the surface is smooth, you’re ready to prime and paint.
Cracks in drywall are a normal occurrence for homes and can be caused by many things, including the natural settling of the house or even the changing weather. However, wide cracks and diagonal cracks should be examined by a professional to ensure that they aren’t indicative of serious structural problems.
Holes
Small holes in drywall occur when something heavy hits the wall or ceiling, such as furniture or a doorknob. They are easy to fix with a patch kit. To get the best result, you’ll want to sand the edges of the patch and surrounding area smooth, and apply several layers of joint compound. Allow each to dry completely before applying the next.
Larger holes aren’t as simple to repair without professional help. You’ll need to assess the damage and determine whether you need to replace a full sheet of drywall. For these situations, it’s a good idea to use a moisture meter or visually inspect the area. This will allow you to spot underlying issues like mold and water damage that may not be visible to the naked eye.
When you are ready to replace the drywall, carefully cut out the damaged section. You’ll then need to screw in some wooden boards on the back side of the studs to act as reinforcement. This step is especially important if the hole is in an area that will see a lot of traffic, such as near doors or windows. The wooden backing will prevent the drywall from becoming soft or spongy over time.
If the drywall is textured, it’s crucial to match the texture to make the repair look natural. You can practice this on a scrap piece before trying to do it on the actual patch. It’s also helpful to bring a sample of your wall paint to the hardware store so that you can find a color that matches as closely as possible.
In some cases, a hole in the drywall may be due to a termite infestation. These small openings in the drywall are called “termite pinholes” and are distinguished by their size and shape. You’ll want to consult with a professional who can determine the source of the problem and take steps to address it, which may include installing a termite barrier around your home.
Loose Tape
The drywall tape that covers the seams in walls and ceilings can crack, peel or loosen, especially along vertical or horizontal edges. This is a problem because the underlying drywall is exposed and it can cause moisture to get into your home where it shouldn’t. Repairing this issue is relatively simple. If you have a small area of loose tape, you can reinforce it and keep the rest of the wall from getting worse by applying a quick patch. Larger areas of loose tape should be replaced entirely. This can be done by hand if it’s not too long of a length, but you will need to wait for the patch and the surrounding area to dry before painting.
Drywall tape can also lose adhesion, which causes it to curl, slip or bubble. This can occur due to poor quality or simply age and humidity. If you have a lot of this type of damage, you may need to strip and redo the whole room. If the problem is isolated to a single room, you can try wetting the old tape with a sponge and applying a slurry mix of mud that will help it adhere better.
Another way to deal with loose tape is to use a caulking gun to apply a long bead of latex caulk along the edge of the crack or gap, and press the new drywall compound over it. Then, sand it down and smooth it over the surface of the wall or ceiling. If the texture doesn’t match, Homax has a drywall texture repair kit in spray cans that you can use.
The best solution for tape that’s really coming loose is to replace it with self-adhesive fiberglass drywall tape. This is much stronger than paper tape and is able to hold up under a lot more stress. It’s available at most drywall and home improvement stores.
Repainting
For minor blemishes on drywall, such as dents or small nail or screw holes, spackle is usually all that’s needed. A small amount of spackle can cover up these blemishes and with a touch-up of interior painting, the wall will look like new again. For more severe dents or nail holes, a patch kit may be used to patch the hole and then joint compound will be spread over it, smoothed around the edges, and then left to dry.
For larger holes, mesh joint tape should be used to help prevent future cracking and shifting of the drywall. Then a 3 to 4-inch putty knife should be used to apply the joint compound (also known as drywall mud). When smoothed, it should be feathered at the edges of the drywall patch so it blends in with the wall.
Once the drywall is patched and dried, it should be primed to prepare it for paint. Be sure to use a primer that is compatible with your chosen paint. A high-quality drywall contractor will know which type of primer to use and will be able to recommend the best option for your specific situation.
After the primer is applied and allowed to dry, the repaired drywall can be painted with the color of your choice. When hiring a drywall and painting service, request to view examples of previous jobs the company has performed and discuss the timeframe of the project, price, materials, and more.
A professional drywall and painting company will have a track record of past projects and will be happy to share this with you. This way, you can see their experience and quality of work and decide if they are the right fit for your repair job.
The amount of time it takes to repair drywall depends on several factors, such as the size and complexity of the repair job, and whether or not you have any DIY experience. Generally, though, a small repair shouldn’t take more than a few hours. Larger repairs, such as those involving stress cracks and water damage, can take much longer to complete.