Drywall is one of the most common construction materials for homes and businesses. But like any other material, it can get damaged.
Small dents and holes are easily repaired using spackle, a putty knife, sandpaper, and paint. The repair is virtually invisible once it’s completed. Visit https://www.drywallcompanylasvegas.com/ to learn more.
Cracks are more noticeable and can occur from a house settling, changing temperatures, or even improperly installed drywall. Cracks will often come back and may need more extensive repairs.
Cracks in drywall can be a nuisance or an eyesore. They can also be a sign of structural damage and should be dealt with as soon as possible. Whether the cracks are fine, hairline, or wide, it’s important to repair them before they worsen. A little research on your part will help narrow down the cause and prevent them from recurring.
Most cracks in drywall are cosmetic and can be easily fixed. The first step is to examine the crack and decide if it’s caused by a shift in the foundation of your house or by expansion and contraction of materials in the drywall. If the crack is caused by the former, it will be easy to fix with a hammer and chisel.
If the crack is caused by the latter, you will need to take more drastic measures. This includes removing the drywall at the affected area and replacing it with a new piece. You will need to use a drywall compound to smooth the seams and cover the hole and any exposed wood.
Hairline cracks along windows and doors are normal settling and not cause for concern, but a high number of them could indicate structural damage that should be inspected by an experienced contractor. If the cracks appear near stress points, such as a door frame or corner, they will need to be repaired more thoroughly.
Small drywall cracks are easy to patch with a drywall repair kit. These kits typically include a self-adhering mesh patch that covers the crack and can be hung with ease. It’s important to use a good quality kit that includes the correct size patches for your wall.
Once the drywall patch is in place, you will need to apply several thin coats of drywall compound and let them dry before sanding them down. Make sure to sand the edges to ensure that the patch blends with the rest of the surface.
For cracks that appear on a horizontal or vertical seam, it’s recommended that you widen the crack with a utility knife before applying a fresh coat of drywall compound. You should also apply a strip of drywall tape on the existing seam to reinforce it and reduce shifting.
Holes
A wall with a hole in it is never a pretty sight, but repairing the damage is actually fairly easy. You’ll just need a few tools and materials that can be purchased for very little cost at your local hardware store.
Pull the nail out with your fingers or pliers (don’t use a hammer!), then sand the area around it. It’s important to sand so that the underlying surface is smooth and ready for a patch.
The size of the hole determines what type of patch you’ll need. Small holes can be covered with a drywall patch kit that comes in a variety of sizes. You’ll also need a container of pre-mixed joint compound, sometimes called mud, and 6-inch and 12-inch metal putty knives (the plastic ones can leave lines when applying the mud).
If the hole is large, you’ll need to follow a different set of steps. Rather than using a patch kit, you’ll need to cut a piece of scrap drywall that is about two inches bigger in height and width than the damaged area. You’ll also need a roll of paper joint tape and a box of drywall screws to install the new patch.
First, remove the old tape and sand the wall where the patch will be installed. Then, use a putty knife to apply a thin coat of joint compound over the entire surface. Smooth it out so that it’s even with the rest of the wall, then let it dry.
Now you can install the new patch, being careful not to nick any wires or plumbing that may be in the vicinity. Once the patch is in place, apply another coat of compound over it, making sure to feather the edges of the patch into the wall. Allow this to dry before sanding and painting. It’s a good idea to shine a light across the repaired surface, checking for any pockmarks or high spots that might need more attention before you paint. If you have a lot of patches or damage to do, consider hiring a professional to get the job done right.
Stains
Drywall is a tough material but even it can be damaged by water over time. The best thing to do for drywall water damage is to get it fixed as soon as you notice it, so the problem doesn’t grow.
The most common symptom of a pending water leak is discoloration of the drywall, or a stain in the place of where paint once was. It can happen from a roof leak, a running sink or the water coming through an air conditioner vent. If it happens, you will need to remove the area of the drywall affected and seal it with a stain blocker. After that is done you can repaint the area and it should blend in with the rest of your walls.
If the stain is accompanied by crumbling of the drywall, or wet insulation underneath it then you will need to replace that section of wallboard. This is a bigger project and will involve cutting holes, patching, sanding and painting. A professional should do this work to avoid further damage to the drywall and the home, but it is possible for a homeowner with some practice.
Start by cleaning the stained area with a damp cloth and wipe down any mold or mildew that has grown. After that, sand down the surface and vacuum or wipe away any dust. Wipe down the entire room, including the other areas around the drywall, so there is no dust left behind when you start working on the repair.
To repair the drywall, use setting-type joint compound. Apply in thin layers and let each layer dry before adding another. This process may take a while, but it will ensure that the water-damaged section is repaired and ready for a fresh coat of paint.
When you are ready to paint, be sure to choose a good quality interior paint. Water stains will often bleed through standard primers and will need to be covered with a special stain-blocking primer. Then, when the primer is dry and sanded, you can repaint the affected area with your normal paint.
Mold
Mold is a serious problem that can be hard to eliminate. When you find a spot of visible mold on your drywall, be sure to have a professional inspect it and take appropriate steps to prevent it from spreading.
Mold spores are airborne and can easily travel to other areas of your home where they will start growing. They can also cause wood rot and other expensive home repairs. The best way to prevent mold growth is to keep moisture levels low by running dehumidifiers in humid rooms and in bathrooms.
If you do encounter a spot of mold, the first step is to contain it using plastic sheeting and closing off the room with doors and windows. This is done to keep spores from spreading throughout your home as well as to prevent mold from growing on any other porous materials such as carpets and furniture.
Once the area is contained, you can remove the drywall to kill any mold spores that have grown within it. This is typically a messy job that produces lots of dust and debris. It’s important to wear a dust mask, or even better, a dual-cartridge respirator, during this process to protect yourself from the super-fine gypsum and silica particulates produced during sanding drywall joint compound.
After removing the damaged section of drywall, use a stud finder to locate any wooden support behind it and mark where you will need to cut. This will ensure that you have a strong and stable piece of new drywall to replace it. Next, you can cut out the old drywall section with a utility knife and pry the section away from the wall using a thin pry bar or straight-blade screwdriver.
Once you have removed the moldy drywall, you can install a new piece of drywall that will be safe for tenants to live in. You may need to paint or stain the drywall once it’s dry to make it look more appealing, but you should always use a stain-blocking primer and paint that will stop stains from bleeding through the paint.
