The longer you work at your business or live in your home, the more prevalent drywall repairs will become. Ceiling and wall deterioration can happen for a variety of reasons such as water damage, accidents, young children, pets, social gatherings and teenagers.



Virtually all interior walls are covered with Sheetrock, aka drywall, or gypsum wallboard. This product is strong; although, very susceptible to water damage and indentations or cracks. Everyday living with people and pets can possibly cause accidental damage. Doorknob destruction is common when there is nothing to shield the drywall and an undesirable indentation or hole can rapidly occur.

Cracks, dents, peeling joint tape and gaps are among the top drywall damage issues. It is important to properly mend these problems before putting a fresh coat of paint on. Luckily, nearly all drywall problems can be fixed without difficulty. If you've got the proper hand tools and materials, it is simple to fix most drywall problems.

Safety is the main theme for any DIY project. Fixing the most frequent drywall issues is not that tricky. Learn how to take the right security precautions before coping with sagging ceilings, splits under windows and doorknob imprints.

Mind Your Back When Working With Drywall

Lifting drywall carefully is crucial or you can injure your back. Tiny drywall repairs can be purchased in 2-foot square pieces or you will find 4x8' sheets available. Contractors generally purchase in large quantities and cut down to the sizes they require. It is important to remember that a full sheet of ½ inch sheetrock is approximately 54 lbs.

Hire help in advance of your pickup and delivery to save your back. This is an difficult and heavy load. Lift up with your knees rather than with your back. Be diligent when storing drywall up against a wall as it can fall over and kill pets or kids. Never attempt to lift complete sheets by yourself.

Kids Can Fall Into Empty Buckets and Drown

While you can purchase premixed joint compound in several different bucket sizes, many select 5-gallon buckets. Pails pose an unsafe risk to small children and toddlers. They could fall accidentally headfirst inside the bucket while innocently glancing in. Sadly, they won't be able to get out and are able to drowning in only an inch of water. Always turn buckets upside-down when they are not being used to prevent rainwater accumulation. Drilling holes in containers that are used primarily for carrying as opposed to mixing is an simple safety precaution.

Drywall Dust Cleanup

The sanding of joint compound in the course of drywall repairs creates a ton of fine, annoying white dust. This is made up of minute gypsum particles and silica, rendering it a respiratory irritant. Guard your lungs by putting on a secure dust mask or even better, a dual-cartridge respirator. When possible, create a well-ventilated area by opening windows and doors.

Have a person close with a shop vac to collect dust as you are sanding. Ensure your shop vac features a HEPA filtration system. IOnce you have finished the area, use your household vac to remove even more of the dust. Lastly, mop and dust base boards and window ledges, display units, fireplace mantle etc. after to seize any remnants. If your sanding will occur near any heater grills in the wall or floor, tape them off with paper or a drop cloth when you begin to prevent dust from entering there and blowing out later once the heat turns on.



Which Type of Joint Compound Do You Need?

There are two main kinds of premixed drywall compounds. These items operate differently. There is an all-purpose compound and a lightweight compound. The lightweight variation is roughly the weight of the all-purpose version and calls for less drying time. It requires less effort for sanding. The all-purpose compound costs less and dries harder than the lightweight version.

Straightforward application is recognized for either compound. They can last at room temperature for roughly 9 months. Purchase the 5-gallon bucket when you have many repairs to do.


There's also a dry-mix joint compound for sale. This powdery product involves mixing with water until it is the right uniformity prior to applying. With regards to economical options, the dry-mix compound is cheaper than premixed versions. The premix version is faster and less difficult to apply; specifically for DIY choices.

Common Doorknob Issues

We’ve practically all seen it. That flawless circle or semi-circle indent on the drywall from where a door was opened a little too boldy. Even if your door opens lightly, these indents can happen if there is no stopper for defense. A peel-and-stick restoration patch can be a simple solution. This patch posseses an adhesive-backed screen of aluminum which is reinforced with fibreglass mesh. Simple application is the trademark of these patch kits. Successfully patch the hole by peeling off the backing and moving it into place.

Use a 4 to 6’’ wide drywall knife and use some joint compound on top of the patch. You'll want to apply enough pressure to gently press the joint compound through the mesh. Once the compound cures, sand it lightly and include a thinner, second coat of compound. Extend this next coat slightly by a few inches beyond the first coat. Do this again for a third time and sand all of it again lightly after it has dried. When your patch is smooth and perfect, you're ready for priming and painting.

Common Drywall Cracks

Vertical drywall cracks will frequently appear above and below windows and doors. Often, these tiny cracks are created as the house settles in its frame and the lumber shrinks. Utilize a sanding sponge to kick-off repairs by sanding the crack until it is smooth. After sanding, vacuum the crack to remove all loose dust and debris.

Drywall cracks frequently appear under doors and windows or above them. These vertical splits are usually caused by the house frame settling due to lumber shrinkage. Use a sanding sponge to prep the cracks. After sanding it even, it needs to be vacuumed. Place a thin coat of joint compound in to the crack with a putty knife. Once it is dried, sand it smooth and next vacuum the dust. Repeat the process by applying a second thin coat. Once the repair is complete and flush with the rest of the drywall, you are ready for priming and painting.