Drywall Repair – Common Problems That Require a Professional
Drywall is pretty tough stuff, but it’s not indestructible. Whether caused by kids flinging toys or moving furniture, dents, nail holes, and other minor blemishes can be repaired with tools and the right techniques.
Occasionally, large diagonal cracks may develop in a wall or ceiling, indicating significant foundation settlement. This is especially true for houses built on loose clay soil. These dramatic shifts can result in gaps affecting the function of doors and windows, uneven walls, and cracks extending to other home areas. If you notice this, contact a foundation repair company immediately. Drywall Repair Las Vegas must perform a full inspection and any necessary repairs to prevent the problem from worsening. They can also recommend any other contractors you may need to assist with the foundation repair work.
The size of the hole will determine what supplies are needed. Small holes can be fixed with a little spackle, joint compound (aka mud), and a putty knife.
Cracks in drywall are common and can range from nearly unnoticeable to serious. Various factors, including building movement and environmental stresses cause them. They may also indicate a foundation problem, but this requires a professional to address it.
Hairline cracks that appear above and below doors and windows are usually caused by lumber shrinkage or settling of the house frame. These can be sanded and filled with drywall compound, but it’s best to fix the underlying cause to avoid them reappearing.
Most drywall cracks are the result of some kind of stress on the drywall seams, such as temperature changes that cause expansion and contraction of the gypsum board. This causes the seams to pull apart and eventually crack. Generally, this is not a sign of a serious issue and can be repaired by placing drywall tape over the crack.
Water damage can also cause drywall cracks, as well as a host of other problems, such as discoloration, mold growth and other health hazards. Cracks accompanied by dark brown or yellow stains are indicative of water damage, which must be addressed before attempting to repair the cracks.
Voids such as screw holes or other openings can also appear in the drywall, and are easy to fix. Place self-adhering mesh tape over the hole or void, and then apply a skim coat of joint compound. When the mud is dry, sand it smooth and repeat if needed.
Holes
From the smallest nail hole to large holes from hanging pictures and mirrors, there are a variety of ways that drywall can get damaged. Some are easy to fix, others require more time and effort. It’s important to be able to tell the difference between a simple repair and damage that requires the help of a professional.
Small cracks or dents are the easiest to fix in drywall. Use a drywall patch kit to fill in the damaged area and smooth the edges for a seamless finish. The kit includes a patch, joint compound and a putty knife. Before starting, make sure the patch is a match for the color and texture of the surrounding wall, then apply the compound over it with a putty knife, sanding lightly between coats and when dry.
Holes larger than a doorknob can be repaired with a drywall patch kit, too, though it’s important that the surrounding surface of the wall is clean and reasonably smooth for a neat finish. Before applying the patch, hand sand around the hole and wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any lingering sanding dust. Then, place the patch over the hole and spread a layer of joint compound over it with a putty blade, sanding lightly between coats until smooth and feathering the edges to blend in with the surrounding wall.
If the damage is in a corner where two pieces of drywall meet, it may require repairing a section of metal corner bead. This is a thin strip of metal nailed to the outside corners of drywall to protect them. It’s not indestructible, though, and it can be dented by a vacuum cleaner attachment, a hammer or a rambunctious child flinging a toy.
If the dent is in a corner, mark cutting lines with a framing square and pencil, then use a drywall saw to cut along those lines. Be careful not to nick any pipes or wires during the process. It’s important to be able feel the edge of a stud as you go, which will help avoid accidentally cutting into any insulation or electrical wiring.
Loose Tape
While not as noticeable as cracks, loose drywall tape is still a problem that should be addressed. It can leave your walls looking less than perfect, and it can also let moisture in where it shouldn’t. Loose tape can often be fixed by simply gluing it back down. However, if the tape is peeling away from the drywall mud behind it, the whole seam may need to be repaired.
Most drywall tape peeling occurs at corners or along joint lines. It is usually not a sign of a larger problem and can be fixed with a moderate amount of household glue. However, if the peeling is serious, it will need to be removed and replaced with new drywall tape.
The joints where drywall sheets meet at corners are protected by an L-shaped metal strip called a corner bead, which is concealed with two or three layers of drywall compound. Despite their toughness, they are not indestructible, and can get dented by run-ins with the vacuum cleaner or by kids flinging toys against them. If the drywall around the dent is not affected, the damage can be easily repaired by simply removing the damaged bead and replacing it with new.
Sometimes the adhesive that holds drywall joint tape in place loses its adhesion, especially when it is exposed to water. This can happen in wet areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens, or when humidity levels are high. The adhesive may also become dislodged from the drywall due to normal wear and tear, or as a result of a previous drywall repair job that was done incorrectly.
Whenever you see loose drywall tape, it is a good idea to probe it with a utility knife or another type of sharp, thin blade to determine how bad the problem is. If the drywall seems solid, a simple putty knife fix may be all that is needed. Trying to apply joint compound directly over loose tape will result in lumpy, uneven, and unattractive drywall seams.
Repainting
The interiors of most homes and many commercial buildings are covered with gypsum wallboard, also known as drywall. The material is prone to damage from everyday wear and tear, including holes, cracks, loose tape, and more. These imperfections can make your walls look messy and unsightly, or worse, can compromise the integrity of the structure. Drywall repair is a meticulous process that requires time and attention to detail, so it’s important to work with a professional who understands the proper steps to take.
For small scratches and dents, it may be possible to use spackle to patch the damaged areas. Larger holes will require drywall sheets and a little more work, but the results are more than worth it in terms of appearance and durability.
Once the drywall repair has been completed, you or your house painting service should roll on a coat of primer to protect the newly repaired surface. Then, once the primer has dried, you can sand and smooth the area again until it’s completely flush with the surrounding wall. Finally, you can paint.
Repainting is an essential part of the drywall repair process, as it ensures that the repaired surface blends in with the rest of the wall and doesn’t stand out like a patchwork. The most important thing to remember when repainting is to use the same color and sheen of paint as used on the rest of the wall. This will help the patched areas blend in seamlessly and make it impossible to tell where one wall ends and another begins.
If you’re looking for an experienced and reliable house painting company to handle your drywall repairs, contact us today. We have the knowledge and expertise to restore your home’s walls with minimal disruption, so you can enjoy a beautiful, updated look that will add value to your home.
Our skilled team will handle all of your drywall repair needs, from hanging new drywall to applying a skim coat and sanding before painting. You can count on our professionals to do the job quickly and efficiently, so your project stays on schedule and your home looks great!
