Help Around the House host Henry Harrison helps a guest replace water-damaged drywall in a ceiling (
figure A). On his elbow grease scale of one to four, Harrison gives this job a three.
Tools:
hammer
nail set
nail pliers
drywall saw
pencil
pry bar
mud bucket
drywall knife
hand plane
chalk line
power drill with dimpler bit
hammer stapler
dust mask
safety glasses
T-brace
tape measure
utility knife
adjustable T-square
drywall panel
joint compound
joint tape
drywall screws
Steps:
1. Put on safety glasses and dust mask and use the pry bar to remove any trim along the section to be replaced (figure B). Pull old nails from trim with the nail pliers.
2. Pull old nails from the ceiling joists (figure C).
3. Cut the damaged ceiling away in sections (figure D). Clean up as you go.
4. Use the tape measure to locate the ceiling joist where your patch will start (figure E) and mark that joist on the ceiling using the chalk line (figure F).
5. Take the utility knife and cut through the paper layer of the drywall along the joist line. Tear out remaining bad drywall, then clean up the backing paper along the joist (figure G).
6. Measure the opening and cut a replacement piece of drywall.
7. Tack up new insulation using the hammer stapler (figure H). Always wear proper safety gear when handling insulation. Mark the location of ceiling joists on the wall using a pencil.
8. Lift the new drywall into place and use a T-brace to help support it while you secure the patch (figure I). Slide a piece of cardboard under the bottom of the T-brace to help protect the floor.
9. Mark the joist locations on the drywall with the chalk line. Secure the drywall with screws using a power drill with a dimpler attachment (figure J). The dimler attachment drives the screws just below the surface. Place screws about every six inches along the joists.
10. Drive a few screws into the edge of the old drywall just to reinforce it a bit along the patch line (figure K).
11. Scrape off some of the texture on the old piece. Wear a dust mask when scraping off the texture.
12. Reattach the trim pieces and use a nail set to drive the nails below the surface.
13. Spread a bit of joint compound over the recessed screws with a drywall knife (figure L). Use just enough compound to cover and protect the screw heads without leaving a lump on the surface. Spread the compound nice and thin.
14. Lay a strip of mesh drywall tape along the seam, then cover with a layer of joint compound (figure M).
15. Allow the joint compound to dry for a day, then come back and give it another light skim coat. After another day of drying your patch is ready for priming, painting and texturing.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
