Drywall repairs are an unavoidable part of life in any home or business atmosphere. Damaged walls and ceilings can occur for many reasons: water, small kids, pets, teenagers, social gatherings, etc.



Most interiors tend to be covered with gypsum wallboard aka drywall or Sheetrock. It is strong yet very easy to indent or poke holes in and will turn to mush once water damage occurs. Damage can occur with normal everyday living thanks to pets and individuals. Just having a doorknob make contact with the drywall can leave a ring of damage or maybe a hole if nothing inhibits contact.

Cracks, dents, peeling joint tape and gaps are among the top drywall damage issues. It is essential to properly resolve these problems before putting a fresh coat of paint on. Luckily, the majority of drywall problems can be fixed without difficulty. The damaged portions can be fixed by incorporating research and the proper tools.

Safety is the main discussion for any DIY project. Widespread drywall repairs including cracks below windows, saggy ceilings and doorknob dents still require adequate safety precautions.

Back Care Is Important With Drywall Repairs

Careful heavy lifting is essential, or you will be in pain. More substantial projects rely on 4x8 drywall sheets; however, smaller 2-foot square sections are ideal for tiny repairs. Since it is less expensive to purchase in bulk, most contractors cut the measurements they need from full pieces. It is important to be aware that a full sheet of ½ inch sheetrock is approximately 54 pounds.

Plan your pickup and delivery accurately by hiring help in advance. Be sure to protect your back by lifting with your knees and not with your back. Be vigilant when storing drywall up against a wall as it can fall over and kill pets or kids. Never attempt to lift full sheets all on your own.

Kids Can Fall Into Empty Buckets and Drown

5-gallon buckets of joint compound are probably the most popular, even though this also comes in a variety of sizes. Young children and small children need to be protected from 5-gallon buckets. If a little one leans over to look into the bucket, they can accidentally tumble headfirst in. Regrettably, kids can easily drown in just one inch of water if they become trapped in the bucket. Constantly turn buckets upside down when they are not being used to prevent rainwater accumulation. If you use pails to carry supplies as opposed to mixing things, consider drilling holes through the sides and bottom for extra safety.

Clean Drywall Dust

Sanding layers of joint compound perfectly into a smooth finish produces plenty of powdery, annoying drywall dust. This is also a respiratory toxic irritant containing silica and fine gypsum particles. Protect your lungs by wearing a secure dust mask or even better, a dual-cartridge respirator. Working in a well-ventilated location reduces your chance of inhaling particles.

Have someone close with a shop vac to trap dust as you are sanding. Ensure your shop vac has a HEPA filtration system. IOnce you've finished the area, use your household vac to remove even more of the dust. After vacuuming, it is time to mop the floors and utilize a wet rag on all ledges, fireplace mantle, shelves, baseboards, etc. to eradicate residual dust. Tape off all heater vents with a piece of paper or your drop cloth to eliminate dust from settling there.



Which Type of Joint Compound Do You Need?

Note that there are two main types of premixed drywall compounds. The all-purpose and light-weight products perform differently. In comparison to the all-purpose compound, the lightweight product involves less drying time and weighs less than the all-purpose kind. It requires less effort for sanding. The all-purpose version is less expensive and dries harder.

Each joint compound is straightforward to apply. They can survive at room temperature for approximately 9 months. If you have major drywall repairs to do, opt for a 5-gallon bucket.


There is a dry-mix joint compound available on the market too. This powdery product requires mixing with water until it is the right consistency prior to applying. When it comes to economical choices, the dry-mix compound will cost less than premixed versions. However, the pre-mix is faster and much easier to use for DIY repairs.

Doorknob Damage is Common

We’ve practically all observed it. The semi-circle, pit, or circular indent within the drywall in back of the door occurs from opening too rapidly. Even if the door opens softly, these indents can happen if there is no stopper for protection. An effortless fix could be to apply a peel-and-stick repair. A fibreglass mesh bolstered aluminum creates the adhesive-backed aluminum screen. It is suitable for quick application. Simply remove the backing and press the patch over the hole.

Take a four to six-inch-wide drywall knife and set the joint compound over the patch. Cautiously force the compound through the mesh utilizing the right amount of pressure during application. Once the compound dries, perform some light sanding and apply a second, thinner compound coat. Extend this subsequent coat slightly by a few inches past the first coat. Repeat the process for a third time and sand all of it again lightly after it has dried. Once it is seamless and smooth, it's time to prime and paint.

Common Drywall Cracks

Drywall fractures are seen vertically below and above windows and doors. Hairline cracks are normally caused when the house frame settles and the wood shrinks. Start with a sanding sponge to sand the crack smoothly. After sanding, clean the crack to remove all loose dust and debris.

Drywall splits commonly appear under doors and windows or above them. These vertical splits are often caused by the house frame settling due to lumber shrinkage. Opt for a sanding sponge to erase the cracks. After sanding it even, it must be vacuumed. Take a putty knife and apply a thin coating of joint compound. After it has dried out, sand it smooth and vacuum. Apply a second thin coat and repeat the process. As soon as the repair is complete and flush with the remainder of the drywall, you are ready for priming and painting.