Drywall Repairs
TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-536 -- More Projects »
Home-maintenance expert Darcy Westlind stops by TIPical Mary Ellen to share advice with host Mary Ellen Pinkham on how to make repairs in drywall.
Steps:
- Patch kits, which are available at most home stores, work fine for patching small holes. A patch will have to be made to cover larger holes, though.
Start by cutting a square about an inch larger than the damaged area out of a piece of extra drywall. Hold the patch over the damaged area, and trace around it (figure A). As a safety measure, always wear a mask when cutting drywall to prevent you from inhaling dust.Cut away the damaged area, following the lines.
Next install a brace to hold the patch. Take a 1 x 2-inch piece of wood that's about an inch larger than the opening. Insert the wood into the hole and hold it flush against the backside of the drywall. Use sheet-rock screws to attach each end of the board to the drywall (figure B).Next place the patch over the brace and screw it to the brace with a sheet rock screw. Tape around the edges of the patch with standard or mesh-style sheet-rock tape. Using a small trowel, cover the entire patch with a smooth layer of premade drywall mud. Allow the mud to dry for about an hour and add a second coat.Once the second coat has dried, sand the area with a drywall sanding screen, then paint.
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