Can I Fix My Own Drywall?

What causes it? It usually starts with a door slammed open or perhaps the movers knocked a hole in the wall. Often we are called out after a leak. The plumbers repair the leak but most often bow out of the drywall repair, leaving homeowners with an unsightly dilemma.

Are there options? When you finally manage to find a professional drywall crew, often the damage is so small they can't afford to come fix it. They are usually busy with new construction and complete remodels. With a full crew to pay it is not profitable for them to slow down and complete small repairs. The options left are watching a DIY video and trying it yourself or continuing to search for someone who will do smaller repairs. 

So what about that DIY option? I mean really, how hard can it be? The concept of repairing drywall is theoretically very straightforward. Drywall repairs have two main enemies, movement and debris. 

How do I do it? First you must find something to make sure your drywall patch will be secure. Either by cutting back to the middle of your 2x4 studs, or installing some type of bracing for your drywall to attach to. After you are certain there will be no movement to flex and crack the seams, cut to size and install your drywall. Then tape the seams and begin to add compound, depending on the tape you use, you may need one coat of compound first. Continue to work until you have a smooth and finished surface, allowing for time to dry and sanding when needed. Be sure to keep your tools clean and your compound free of debris to avoid added frustration. Prime the smooth and finished drywall, check to make sure you haven't missed anything and now your ready to paint.

Sounds easy right? Well as you may have surmised, or experienced, it isn't quite as easy as it sounds. Don't get me wrong, it isn't that difficult but it is extremely time consuming. A wise man once said that "good judgment comes from experience, the only problem is that experience usually comes from previous bad judgment." It is much the same with drywall, it is one thing to know that it needs to be nice and smooth, entirely another to make it so. I have seen new guys spend all day on a one hour repair. There is value in that experience.

The easiest option is to hire a professional handyman service, such as Stewardship Home Solutions. We not only do small repairs, but we actually specialize in them. Yes, it is definitely possible to do your own drywall repairs, but why pay the price for experience? Let our experience work for you. 

If you live in Columbia, or any of our other available service areas and would like to contact us click the link below.