Drywall is a widely used material for the construction of partitions and interior walls. Since it is a relatively soft material it is easily damaged, but it is just as easy to repair. Read this article to learn how to hide scratches and dings and repair small and large holes.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Choose the Right Materials
Step 1. Get some putty
The two most common types of putty are light and multipurpose fillers. Lightweight filler dries faster than multipurpose filler and requires less sanding work.
Putty is sold in packages of various sizes, but remember that small packages can cost as much as large ones. If you have some filler left over, you can keep it for up to 9 months in anticipation of other housework, as long as the package is well sealed
Step 2. Get the tools for applying putty and for sanding
A putty knife and a metal ruler are essential to spread the putty and scrape off the excess, so that the repair looks professional, well leveled and without hump. Get an abrasive pad to even the surface when the grout has dried.
Step 3. Purchase equipment for patching holes of a certain size
For large holes, you will need a new plasterboard to make a patch from. Get some backing boards to fix the drywall, and buy a drywall panel that is large enough to cover the hole. You will need some masking tape and putty to seal the joints.
Step 4. Get paint and fixative
The last step in repairing a plasterboard wall is to paint the repaired area so that it does not stand out from the rest of the wall. Use the same fixative and paint originally used for the wall.
Method 2 of 4: Repair a Dent
Step 1. Sand the edges
Use an abrasive pad to remove any debris stuck to the edges of the dent. Sand over the entire surface of the dent to help the filler adhere, which you will use to fill in the dent formed.
Step 2. Apply the putty
Dip the spatula sideways into the grout container and half load the spatula. Pass the putty knife over the dent area to spread the grout. Turn the putty knife perpendicular to the wall and go over it to remove excess grout.
- Remove the excess grout well, otherwise you will end up with humps once the grout has dried.
- As the grout dries, check that the dent has been properly filled. If the grout shrinks you will need to do another pass.
Step 3. Sand the affected area
When the grout is completely dry, with an abrasive block, or other abrasive as long as it is fine-grained, gently sand to even out the area with the rest of the wall. You can also use a damp sponge to smooth the edges well.
Step 4. Apply a coat of fixative
Putty is a relatively porous material, so it needs a coat of fixative under the paint. Otherwise the painted area will look different than the surrounding wall.
- Use fixative with a color similar to that of the final paint. If possible, use the same employee originally to prepare the wall.
- If you are using a paint that does not need fixative, you can skip this step.
Step 5. Paint the repair area
When the fixative is dry, use a soft brush to paint the repair area. Work with delicacy, giving coats similar to those used for the surrounding wall, so that the new paint once dry blends perfectly with that of the rest of the wall.
Method 3 of 4: Repair a Nail Hole
Step 1. Remove the edge fragments
If bits of drywall stick out due to nail removal, gently scrape them off or push them into the hole. Make sure the edges of the hole are level with the wall so that no bumps or bumps remain after the repair.
Step 2. Fill the hole
Take some putty on the putty knife and push it into the hole. Scrape off excess grout by holding the putty knife perpendicular to the wall and running it over the hole.
- Try to avoid any putty remaining on the wall around the hole, otherwise drying could alter the paint in the surrounding area. Use only the amount of putty needed to fill the hole and no more.
- If some grout ends up on the wall during processing, remove it with a slightly damp rag.
Step 3. Sand the repair
Use fine-grained sandpaper when the grout is dry. Use a damp rag to remove sanding dust. At this point the wall where the hole was located should be perfectly smooth.
Step 4. Spread the fixative and paint the area
For a flawless repair, use a soft cloth to apply the fixative with small touches. When it has dried, use the same method to paint.
Method 4 of 4: Repair a Big Hole
Step 1. Check the electrical wiring
If the hole is near a power outlet or phone, look behind the panel to make sure there are no electrical or telephone wires that could interfere with your work. Feel around the hole with your hands or look inside with the help of a flashlight.
If you find any threads, make a note of their path and organize your work to circle them during the repair
Step 2. Cut out a rectangle
With the help of a ruler and a level, draw the contours of a rectangular area that includes the hole inside it, then cut the rectangular piece away using a utility knife or a hacksaw. This way you can patch the hole with an exactly sized piece of drywall instead of having to do an irregularly shaped patch.
Step 3. Add fixing boards
Cut the fastening boards so that their length exceeds the height of the hole by about 10 cm. Align the first tablet vertically along the left edge of the hole, from inside the wall. Hold the board in place with one hand, and with the other secure it to the sound wall with two self-tapping screws below and two above the hole. Use a screwdriver. Similarly fix another fixing board along the right edge of the hole.
- For this use, pine boards or other soft wood, in which the screws enter easily, are suitable.
- Be careful while holding the boards in place to avoid hurting yourself with the screws if they go through the wood.
Step 4. Install the drywall patch
Measure the thickness of the drywall and buy a drywall panel large enough to cover the hole. Cut it to size with the hacksaw, so that it fits snugly into the hole. Place the patch in the hole and screw it to the fastening boards on both sides. Space the screws approximately 15 cm apart.
Many home improvement stores sell drywall clippings in a variety of shapes and sizes. Look for one big enough to make your own patch. This way you will avoid buying a full panel, which may be too big for your needs
Step 5. Apply the tape to the joints
Take some putty on the spatula and spread it over the joints, the cracks where the patch and the wall join. Immediately after, apply some masking tape to the joints, and use the spatula or a scraper to smooth the tape well to remove any bubbles or lumps. Apply a second layer of putty and let it dry.
- You can add a little water to the grout to make it more fluid, to be able to spread and smooth it well on the wall to camouflage the patch.
- Remove excess grout well so that the transition between the wall and the patch is as little noticeable as possible. Use the spatula always pulling it in the same direction.
- Spreading the tape well isn't always easy. If you realize that you have spread it sideways it is worth repeating the operation, because a perfect drafting of the tape is important for a good aesthetic result.
Step 6. Sand the area and add another layer of putty
When these first layers of putty are completely dry, smooth the edges well by wiping them gently with fine-grained sandpaper. Cover any hollows and irregularities with another thin layer of putty. Let it dry and continue like this, sanding and adding more filler until the wall is perfectly smooth and homogeneous.
Always wait at least 24 hours before sanding. The grout must be perfectly dry, otherwise you risk adding new grooves and dips instead of smoothing the surface
Step 7. Spread the fixative and paint the area
After the last sanding, apply the fixative to prepare the area for painting. When the fixative is dry, paint the area with the same brush or roller that was originally used for the wall.
Advice
- Stucco dust is highly irritating; a protective mask should be worn while sanding.
- Remember that the putty you apply will shrink a little when it dries.
