How To Repair A Drywall Leak

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Drywall is the most ordinarily used textile for interior walls. Since information technology's a relatively soft material it is prone to getting damaged, merely it's too quite like shooting fish in a barrel for a homeowner to repair. Read on for information on how to fill dents and patch small-scale and large holes.

1. 1

   Buy a articulation compound. The two commonly available joint compounds are lightweight and all-purpose. Lightweight compound dries quicker than all-purpose and requires less sanding.^[1]

   • Joint chemical compound comes in a multifariousness of container sizes, but be advised that smaller containers may price only equally much as the larger ones. If resealed properly, joint compound can be kept for upwards to 9 months for other around-the-business firm repairs if you end up with leftover compound.

2. 2

   Get compound applicators and sanders. A articulation pocketknife and a metal straightedge will enable you to apply the joint compound smoothly and scrape away the backlog, so the repair job will look professional person instead of lumpy or uneven. Get a sanding sponge to even out the surface after the joint compound has stale.

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3. 3

   Buy patching supplies for larger holes. For big holes, you'll need a new slice of drywall to create a patch. Get backing boards, which hold the drywall in identify, and buy a slice of drywall large plenty to fill the pigsty. You'll need paper tape and joint compound to smooth out the joints.

4. 4

   Get pigment and primer. The final step to repairing drywall is painting the repaired area so that it matches the residual of the wall. Utilize the same primer and paint you originally used to pigment the wall.^[ii]

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1. one

   Sand downwards the edges. Use a sanding sponge to sand away the loose particles around the edges of the dent. Run the sanding sponge over the dent itself to create a rough surface that the joint compound, which is used to fill the dent, volition be able to adhere to easily.

2. ii

   Apply joint compound. Dip a articulation knife sideways into the container of joint chemical compound and load about half of the bract. Run the knife over the dented surface area to smooth on the joint compound. Turn the blade at a 90 degree angle to the wall and run it over the area once again to remove backlog compound.

   • Be sure to remove the actress compound, then that the surface area won't take bumps once the the substance dries.
   • Check the area information technology it dries to decide if the dent has been completely filled. You may need to apply a second coat if the articulation compound shrinks as it dries.

3. 3

   Sand the area. Use a sponge sander or another fine sander to gently blend the area with the surrounding wall space after the joint compound has completely dried. You tin also utilise a dampened sponge to smooth the edges.^[iii]

4. 4

   Prime the surface area. Articulation compounds are relatively porous, so it's necessary to prime the repaired area earlier you paint it. Otherwise, the paint will wait unlike from the surrounding area.^[4]

   • Use a primer that matches the paint colour. If possible, employ the aforementioned one you originally used to paint the wall.
   • If you have paint that besides acts as a primer, priming the wall first isn't necessary.

5. five

   Pigment over the repair. Once the primer is dry, apply a soft cloth to paint over the area with the wall pigment. Work gently and use strokes similar to the strokes you used to paint the surrounding wall so that the paint will look blended later it has dried.^[5]

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1. i

   Remove the loose edges. If parts of the drywall are sticking out from when the nail was removed, gently scrape them off or button them into the pigsty. Make sure the edges of the hole are flush with the wall, so at that place won't be whatsoever bumps or lumps afterward y'all repair the expanse.^[vi]

2. ii

   Fill the hole with joint compound. Load the joint knife with joint compound and push the chemical compound into the pigsty. Scrape away the excess chemical compound past holding the knife at a xc-degree bending from the wall and running it over the surface of the hole.

   • Try not to get joint compound on the wall surrounding the hole, since it will dry out and bear upon the paint in the area. Load the knife with just as much compound as you need to fill the hole.
   • If you go joint compound on the wall expanse surrounding the nail as you work, wipe information technology abroad with a damp fabric.

3. iii

   Sand the patch. Use fine-grit sandpaper to sand the area once the chemical compound has completely stale. Use a damp textile to wipe away the dust when you're finished. The wall surface where the hole was should at present exist completely smooth.

4. 4

   Prime and paint the surface area. For a perfectly seamless repair, utilise a soft textile to dab a bit of primer over the repaired expanse. When it'due south dry, use another cloth to dab wall paint over the expanse.^[seven]

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1. i

   Check for wires. If the hole is close to an electrical outlet or phone line, make sure yous check inside it so you don't hit any wires while you work. Experience around the hole with your hands, or peer inside using a flashlight.

   • If you lot find a wire, take note of where it is located and plan to piece of work carefully effectually information technology when you repair the hole.

2. two

   Cutting a rectangle. Utilize a ruler and a level to measure out and draw a rectangle around the perimeter of the hole, and then cut it out using a utility pocketknife or drywall saw. This will enable you to neatly patch the pigsty with a piece of drywall the precise size you lot need, rather than making an irregular patch.

3. three

   Add together backer boards. Cut the backer boards about four inches (10.ii cm) longer than the height of the hole. Line the outset capitalist board vertically along the left edge of the hole. Utilise one hand to hold it in identify tightly while using a drill to spiral two drywall screws through the intact drywall just below the hole, and two through the drywall only higher up the hole. Apply the same technique to install another backer board along the right edge of the hole.

   • Pine or other soft wood backer boards piece of work well for repairing drywall, since they're piece of cake to screw into.
   • Be sure to hold the boards in such a way that the screws won't scratch or puncture your hands when they pop through the backer boards.

4. iv

   Install a drywall patch. Measure out the thickness of the drywall and buy a piece of drywall big enough to patch the pigsty. Cut information technology to size using the drywall saw so that it will fit neatly into the pigsty. Identify the drywall patch into the pigsty and screw it into the backing boards on either side, spacing the screws 6 inches (xv.2 cm) apart.

   • Most hardware and home goods stores sell scraps of drywall in different shapes and sizes. Wait for ane big enough to patch your hole then y'all don't accept to buy a complete sheet of drywall, which will probably be more than than you need.

5. 5

   Tape the joints. Load a joint knife with joint compound and apply information technology to joints, the seams where the patch and the wall connect. Quickly employ paper tape to the joints and utilize a taping knife to smooth the tape into place, making certain there are no bubbles or lumps. Apply a second coating of joint compound and let it dry out.

   • You tin can add a niggling h2o to the chemical compound to thin it out, making it easier to spread and feather out along the wall for even blending.
   • Be certain to remove excess compound every bit you lot become, so that the transition betwixt the patch and the wall is as shine as possible. Pull the taping knife in i direction.
   • Laying the record evenly tin be catchy. It'south worth starting over if y'all lay it crookedly, since the tape is of import for blending the patch with the wall.

6. 6

   Sand the expanse and add another glaze. Once the offset few coats are dry, shine the edges past sanding them with a fine grit sandpaper. Make full in any gouges and uneven areas by applying some other thin coat of compound. Let that dry, and continue sanding and adding more compound until the surface is even and smooth.

   • Wait at least 24 hours betwixt sandings. The compound should be completely dry, or you may create more ruts and gouges instead of smoothing the surface.

7. vii

   Prime number and paint the expanse. Afterwards the last sanding, utilize a primer to get the area gear up for painting. When the primer is dry out, paint the area using the same brush or paint applicator you originally used to paint the wall.^[8]

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Add New Question

• Question

  What kind of primer is best for a drywall repair on unfinished walls?

  

  Sam Adams is the owner of Cerise Design + Build, a residential design and construction firm, which has been operating in the Greater Seattle Area for over 13 years. A quondam architect, Sam is now a full-service contractor, specializing in residential remodels and additions.

  

  Professional Contractor

  Expert Reply

  The best option is a primer called PVA. It stands for polyvinyl chloride. It'south formulated specifically for fresh drywall, and it'due south really cheaper than regular primer.

• Question

  Why does the plaster and record continue peeling and cracking later a couple of days?

  

  You lot're probably putting your mud on too thick. Use thin layers of joint chemical compound and let information technology dry completely between coats.

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• Drywall grit is an airway irritant, and so it's best to wearable a mask while sanding.

• Recall, each awarding of articulation compound will compress a bit while drying.

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Things You'll Need

• Drop cloth
• Joint chemical compound
• Sandpaper
• Fine-grit drywall sandpaper
• Backing boards
• Drywall saw
• Drywall screws
• Drill
• Repair patch
• Putty knife
• Mask

About This Commodity

Article Summary X

To fix a nail pigsty in drywall, beginning past scraping off any loose edges around the hole so the edges of the hole are flush with the wall. Then, use a joint knife to press joint chemical compound into the hole. One time the hole is full, scrape off the backlog compound with the joint knife and look for the chemical compound to completely dry. Adjacent, sand the hole and surrounding area with fine-dust sandpaper so the surface of the wall is completely smooth. Finally, prime number and paint the area then information technology blends in with the rest of the wall. To learn how to repair big holes in drywall, curl down!

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Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Drywall-Repair

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