Having holes and cracks in your drywall will be problematic. You don’t want your walls to look shoddy, and you certainly don’t want them to have structural issues. When you notice that there are cracks in the drywall, it’s best to take care of things and repair them. Read on to learn how to repair cracks and holes in the drywall the right way.
Repairing Cracks
Repairing cracks in the drywall won’t be too hard so long as you have the right tools. You’ll approach repairing surface cracks and deep cracks a bit differently, though. For surface cracks, you want to check to see how deep the crack goes. Drywall doesn’t crack often, but a surface crack sometimes occurs where two sheets of drywall unite.
Fixing a crack that doesn’t go too deep is as simple as filling it with a joint compound. You’ll fill the shallow crack with joint compound and then scrape the edges. Sometimes you might need to widen the crack slightly with a paint scraper or knife before putting the joint compound in. After applying the compound, let it dry completely and then sand the area.
Later, you can wipe away any debris and then paint the drywall. Deeper cracks are a bit more complex since they will go through the drywall seam’s paper tape. You’ll need to use a utility knife to cut the tape near the damaged area. Generally, you’ll want to cut between 6 and 12 inches from the damage on either end.
You can then remove the tape and apply the joint compound. The method for applying the compound will be the same as described earlier. It might need a second light coat of compound depending on how bad the deep crack is. After everything has dried, you’ll sand things down and paint them as usual.
Repairing Holes
Holes in the wall can be fixed using special drywall patch kits. These kits contain everything you need to fix small holes that are six inches or less. Apply the patch to the wall and then cover it using drywall compound. This is simple and it allows you to fix small holes that occur due to accidents.
Larger holes won’t be able to be fixed this way. You’ll essentially wind up installing new sections of drywall. You can cut pieces of drywall and install them in the damaged spots. Remove the damaged sections of drywall by cutting out a square area around the damaged section.
Get rid of the old drywall and then install new drywall sections. You’ll be cutting, fitting, and installing a small section to repair the damage. With large holes, this is the only thing you can do to take care of things properly.
Install New Drywall if the Damage Is Too Severe
There could be situations where the damage to the drywall is too severe. If fixing a large hole is not practical, you’ll want to replace the drywall instead. You can always install new drywall if you need to. Drywall isn’t incredibly expensive, and this might be more practical if sections of the drywall are in terrible condition.
Hopefully, your drywall isn’t in such bad shape that you won’t have to make repairs. Just assess the situation and then decide how to proceed. If repairs are possible, you can easily follow the advice above to get good results.
Do you have cracks or holes in your drywall? Don’t worry, we can help! Our amazing team will show you how to repair them like a professional in no time. Drop by our site today to learn more!
Hugo Ornelas | Author | CEO New Age Painting & Coatings.
Hugo, a proud native of Santa Ana, California, has spent the past two decades cultivating a passion for the painting business. His swift progression through the ranks, learning all the nuances of the trade, led him from being a lead man to a foreman. When the opportunity arose to become a superintendent, he relocated to Arizona and had a successful stint with his first business partner.
After five rewarding years in Arizona, Hugo felt the call to establish his painting business. With years of experience and confidence in assisting homeowners, he laid the foundation for his venture in Las Vegas alongside his wife and their three children.
New Age Painting & Coatings is a family-owned business, born out of the challenges Hugo faced but also the unwavering support of his family. He has assisted thousands of homeowners across the Las Vegas Valley, helping them transform their homes into envisioned spaces for themselves and their families.
Hugo is committed to ensuring that each customer is wholly satisfied with the work he invests in their homes. He guarantees trustworthiness and a job well done, always.