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We publish a monthly article on home improvement related topics. We encourage you to read these articles before choosing a contractor to perform work on your property.
Tips For Repairing Drywall Holes
Drywall repairs become necessary for various reasons, for this project a leak had been discovered at this residence so in addition to repairing drywall in the immediate area of the leak there were inspection/access holes cut by the plumber in other areas. Thankfully the plumber was considerate enough to cut clean circles and saved the plugs (removed sections of drywall).
The first step is to ensure that you have proper backing for your drywall repair. You can do this by cutting your opening back to the nearest studs or, as in this instance, you in use pieces of 1"x3" pine cut just longer than the width of the opening. Secure the backing by screwing it into the surrounding drywall.
Insert the drywall plug and secure it to the backing member. Self-adhering mesh tape will simplify securing the joints, apply to each joint. Fast setting drywall compounds (see article on how to use Hot Mud HERE) afford a consistent and predictable dry time that is particularly helpful in repair situations.
Do your best to keep your taping knife parallel to the wall surface. The primary purpose of the first coat is to set the tape and to level any variances, so a smaller knife like a 6" blade is fitting. You will typically want to apply around 3 coats of mud in order to level the surfaces and spread the taping over a larger surface to displace the variance (trick the eye).
Each coat should be wider than the preceeding, usually 6", 8/10" and finishing with 12/14" taping knives. Wet or dry sand in between coats (depending on the mud being used). Sanding is used to remove any tooling marks and to sand the edges between coats so that the transition is as smooth as possible.
Once the surface is smooth from indentations and the edges transition into the existing wall the two steps that remain are texture and priming/sealing the repair. For repair smaller applications aerosolized spray texture is very helpful. For orange peel texture the product can't be beat and can go from very light to quite heavy, aerosol knockdown is available but isn't as easy to apply as you have to wait until just the right time to trowel the texture.
Contact us today about your project: (541) 981.1109 or info@handioregon.com
Our interior and exterior remodeling projects are on display in Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, Salem, McMinnville, Newberg, Clackamas, Oregon Coast - to name a few. To find out more about what we have done with drywall installation and repairs, please follow the links below.