Tarter Home Maintenance Blog

Drywall Repairs

Drywall repairs don’t always have to be difficult, but there are some important decisions to be made. 

 

 Do you need to cut out the damaged drywall and replace it, or can the hole be filled in with mud?

 

 If the hole is bigger than a golfball, you will need to cut the damaged area out and replace it with a new piece.

 

 I usually take a level and draw a square around the hole (about 1.5 in. beyond the edge).   Then, I cut out the square with a razor knife.

 

 I make sure I don’t damage the cut out piece so I can trace it for the new piece.    Next, I install some backing (usually a 1 x 4).

 

 I cut the new piece, and screw it to the backing.   Then, I start taping the repair.  After the tape coat dries, I apply a second coat.

 

 After the second coat dries, I wipe the area down with a damp sponge to blend away any imperfections.  Then, it’s time to apply the texture.

 

 Before I begin, I always make sure to cover the floor and anything else I don’t want to get painted due to the messiness. 

 

 I use a small hand pump to texture small areas.

 

 I mix the texture and start spraying the area from the outside in.  This way, the texture will blend in with the rest of the wall.

 

 Once the texture dries, I smooth it down with a damp sponge.  Once the texture is completely blended, it’s time to paint.

 

 I use a 6 in. roller to paint small areas because this size helps flawlessly match the finish.

 

  To get a better idea of what the process looks like, take a look at these videos from a recent project…

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