How To Repair Drywall

Figuring out how to repair drywall can be an easy task or a daunting one. It all depends on how bad you trashed the place. Drywall is fragile and a simple fist, foot or beer bottle can cause considerable damage. For this article we’ll assume the trashing of the drywall if a simple over zealous opening of a door and left a door knob size dent or hole in your drywall. For those over the top party trashing, well that’s another article.

 What you will need for this job:

• Drywall compound
• Drywall mesh repair patch
• Putty Knife
• Fine sandpaper
• Damp cloth
• Knockdown (optional)
• Paint (optional)

1. First up is cleaning off the affected area. This means removing any chucks of wall, loose drywall paper and anything else that may be resident but foreign. Once the clean-up is done you will want to run the sandpaper over the area very lightly. Finally, wipe it down with the damp cloth.
2. Now relax and let the area dry and set for a few hours. Next peel off the back of the drywall mesh and apply sticky side down over the opening. This may mean that you will need to measure the area before you buy the mesh. Push firmly down around all edges.
3. Using the putty knife, apply drywall compound. Compound should be put on liberally, ensuring all the mesh is covered. Let the compound cure and harden. This usually takes twenty-four hours.
4. Once cured use the fine grade sandpaper and sand down the finish. Do this until the surface is smooth. Use your hand to run over the area and sand as needed. When the area is smooth use a damp cloth to wipe down the excess residue.
5. If you would like you can now apply knockdown. This is a spray substance that once used and ‘knocked down’ by gently running a putty knife over it, gives the appearance of a textured wall. If you do this application wait at least forty-eight hours before painting.