Damage to drywall, also called drywall, can be effortlessly repaired or camouflaged if you have the right tools.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Repair of a Small or Medium Hole (Less than 10cm): Quick Method
Step 1. Buy a ready-made plasterboard dowel at a home improvement store:
all you have to do is glue it. This tool is supported by metal to be more resistant.
Step 2. Remove the worn out parts of the hole with a utility knife and push back the bits that you can't cut
Step 3. Cut or shape the dowel to the size of the hole
Make sure you leave some space around the dowel to attach it to the wall surrounding the hole.
Step 4. Clean and dry the area to be repaired for maximum adhesion
For areas that tend to get covered in grease, such as the kitchen, use trisodium phosphate, which is available in paint shops. Warm, soapy water also does a good job, but don't get the drywall too wet.
Step 5. Apply the dowel to the wall and smooth the glued corners with a spatula:
will remove air bubbles.
Step 6. Use a wide-bladed putty knife to spread a thin finish of drywall putty over the area to be repaired
The aim is to create a seamless transition between the back of the dowel and the wall. As the patch is practically placed against the wall, unsightly layers may form. As a result, learn to apply putty around the patch so that it gradually sticks to the rest of the wall. With practice, you will acquire excellent technique. Remember that more than one layer of putty is often required.
Example: if you repair a hole between 5 and 7.5 cm, you will need to use a 24 cm spatula to apply the final coat of putty. Don't forget to fix it with a sharp final blow
Step 7. Apply a generous amount of drywall putty with a putty knife (wider ones produce smoother results)
Step 8. Smooth out the putty with the putty knife
Pull the blade in your direction following a firm and firm movement, allowing the spatula to assume an angle of 30 degrees to the wall. If you are not satisfied with the result, wet the putty knife and scratch the wall. Try again but don't worry if it doesn't look perfect: you can smooth it when it dries (this step can create some mess, so it's best to smooth it out as much as possible before drying).
Step 9. Let the trimmed area dry thoroughly before re-wiping or sanding
Step 10. Once the grout has dried, gently sand the area with drywall sandpaper and a sander (regular sandpaper works too, but not as well)
If there are spots or streaks, remove them with the spatula. You definitely don't want to cause any more damage.
Step 11. Hide minor imperfections with a super thin coat of putty
Apply it to holes or small cracks. With experience, this step can be accomplished without further sanding.
Method 2 of 5: Repair a Forello (Less than 5cm)
Step 1. Clean the area to be repaired
Remove the stuck bits with a utility knife or push them back.
Step 2. Spray some water on the area to be repaired:
this step will help the grout to take root but can be skipped if you use a grout that is not water-based and contains acrylic, polymer fiber or other such ingredients.
For greasy areas, such as those in the kitchen, use trisodium phosphate, which you'll find in paint shops
Step 3. Once the wall is clean and slightly damp, apply a generous amount of grout with a wide-bladed putty knife for smoother results
Step 4. Spread the putty with the putty knife
Pull it in your direction with a firm and firm movement: it must be approximately 30 degrees from the wall. If the finish does not satisfy you, remove the one you applied with the spatula, wet the area again and pass the putty once again, always through the same movement just illustrated. Don't be obsessed with perfection: you can sand when dry.
If the hole requires several layers of putty, apply several thin coats and not a single thick one. Thus, you will prevent the manifestation of air bubbles or cracks during the drying process. In any case, it is also necessary to wait between one pass and the next. If time is short, buy a product that dries immediately, to be mixed in small workable quantities, dry in less than 30 minutes
Step 5. Let the repaired area dry thoroughly before applying additional coats
Never apply a second layer of grout if the first is not yet dry.
Step 6. Once drying is complete, gently sand the area with drywall sandpaper and a sander
Do you notice spots or streaks? Remove them with the spatula.
Step 7. Hide less noticeable imperfections with a very thin layer of putty
Once you have gained experience, you can do this step without having to sand.
Method 3 of 5: Repair a Medium Hole (7-10cm)
Step 1. Outline the damaged area with a carpenter's square
Use a pencil to draw a square or rectangle around the hole.
Step 2. Use a drywall putty knife and drywall board saw or utility knife to remove the damaged section of the wall
Drawing a straight-sided figure will make it easier to replace the piece.
Step 3. Cut the dowel from another piece of drywall:
it should measure approximately 7-8 cm longer than the hole, both in length and in width.
Step 4. Draw the true size of the hole on the back of the replacement piece
Be careful with the outlines.
Step 5. Carefully remove any plaster residue around the replacement piece
Step 6. Place it inside the hole:
it must fit perfectly, leaving 7-8 cm overlapping.
Step 7. Cover the dowel with putty and smooth it with a wide-bladed trowel suitable for plasterboard
Wait for the area to dry before continuing.
Step 8. Gently sand the area with sandpaper
When you're done, wipe off the dust with a damp sponge.
Step 9. Apply extra layers of putty as needed and, after each pass, smooth and clean with the damp sponge
Method 4 of 5: Repairing a Large Hole
Step 1. Outline the damaged area with a carpenter's square
With a pencil, draw a square or rectangle around the hole.
Step 2. Use a drywall trowel and drywall panel saw, or utility knife, to remove the damaged section of wall within the drawn geometric shape
If you have drawn straight lines, it will be easier to replace the piece.
Step 3. Cut backing strips from 2cm plywood or a 2.5x5cm plank of wood
The larger the hole, the more support the drywall will need. Make sure you cut them approximately 10 cm longer (or wider) than the area you want to repair.
Step 4. Arrange the strips vertically or horizontally in the center of the hole
Step 5. Hold them steady while nailing them to the wall with invisible drywall screws
You can use a screwdriver or a drill.
Step 6. Measure the area to be repaired and cut a piece of drywall; make sure it is not thicker than the wall
Nail it to the support strips.
Step 7. Apply fiberglass tape to the area around the patch
Step 8. Run a coat of drywall putty over the screws and allow to dry before continuing
Step 9. Smooth the area with sandpaper and remove dust with a damp cloth
Step 10. Apply additional layers of putty if the results are still unsatisfactory
Gently sand or wipe with the damp cloth after completing each layer.
Method 5 of 5: Hide the Area to Repair
Step 1. Recreate the original texture with a spray that you can buy at the paint shop
Some products feature an adjustable dispenser, so you can get the look and thickness you want. Test a scrap of drywall to develop your technique, as it may be hard to find the right one right away. The dispenser should not be placed too close to the surface to be placed, or lumps will form.
- Soak the bottle in warm water for a few minutes and then shake it for an ideal application.
- Lightly passing a wide-bladed spatula over the repaired area after allowing it to dry for 15-20 minutes will produce a bad effect: do not intervene.
Step 2. Apply two coats of primer to the repaired area
One will probably not be enough, since the stucco tends to absorb the paint giving rise to an “unfinished” effect. Apply both primer and paint with a roller, as the brushes leave marks. Home improvement centers sell small rollers that are cheaper and easier to clean than large ones.
Step 3. Paint after the primer has dried
It will take a few hours but, to be safe, let it dry overnight.
Advice
- If you apply the putty with a spatula, rinse it between coats. Spreading it out with a dirty blade will give a poor result.
- A suggestion to fix the wall immediately: if the hole is small enough, take a piece of steel wool and fill the hole, placing it under the surface; then add some putty.
- The manual sanders for drywall are characterized by foamy shock absorbers placed between the tool and the sandpaper that allow to obtain better results. Drywall sandpaper, in fact, absorbs the dust left by the grout more effectively than ordinary sandpaper.
- The layers of putty must be thin; so you will avoid creating too much confusion.
- Avoid large, shallow stains. Better to use more putty than necessary than not use enough. The important thing is that you are ready to sand and remove dry excess.
- Remember that cleaning small amounts of excess grout with a damp cloth is less messy than sanding and can yield acceptable results (see Warnings).
Warnings
- Before you drill the screws into the drywall, be sure not to break the plumbing and electrical cables placed in the wall.
- The putty of now is safer than that of the past, which contained asbestos, a possible cause of cancer. Either way, wear a face mask - inhaling too much dust is unhealthy.
- Watch out when you pass the damp cloth on the wall. If you clean the same spot more than once in a short period of time, the cover may absorb too much water, making sanding difficult. Wiping with a damp cloth is a cleaner method than sanding but should be used moderately. Let everything dry well between each step.
- If you use a putty knife to remove dry or wet grout, avoid the corners of the tool from cutting the paper cover of the drywall. These tears will create other problems that need to be repaired.
- One of the advantages of a smooth surface is the ability to cover minor imperfections.
