| This article outlines seven simple steps to repairing | | | | 6. Spread a thin coat of joint compound on the patch |
| damaged sheetrock. It explains step by step in clear | | | | using a drywall knife. It may be necessary to apply |
| detail. It also explains the proper procedure for priming | | | | drywall tape around the perimeter and apply another |
| and painting the repaired area. | | | | thin coat of joint compound. Let the area dry and then |
| Copyright (c) 2008 Smoky Mountain Painting | | | | sand the area using a fine grit sandpaper. |
| To many people repairing a hole in drywall may seem | | | | 7. After the joint compound is completely dry, apply |
| like a difficult task, but it is really a simple task. To | | | | another coat of joint compound using the drywall knife, |
| complete the task properly take a few hours but if | | | | blending in the repaired area with the surrounding wall. |
| you follow these seven steps you will have a flat, | | | | Allow to dry completely and sand again with fine grit |
| seamless wall. | | | | sandpaper. Once you have completed the steps, you |
| 1. Mark off the area to be patched. Use your square | | | | should have a seamless patch. |
| and mark off an area that is slightly larger than the | | | | All that is left to do now is paint the repaired area and |
| hole you are repairing. | | | | your job is complete. To do this you need to prime the |
| 2. Using a drywall knife, cut around the four sides that | | | | newly repaired area first. You can use a latex based |
| you have already marked off, leaving you with a | | | | primer to do this such as Kilz or Zinsser. After priming |
| square hole in the wall. | | | | the repaired area and allowing it to dry, you are ready |
| 3. Prepare a piece of wood to reinforce the patch. To | | | | for the finish coat. If you have touch up paint it may |
| do this, cut a thin strip of 1x2 or 1x4 slightly larger than | | | | not match perfectly because even interior paint will |
| the height of the hole. Slip the wood into the hole and | | | | fade over a period of time. If the paint does not match, |
| position it so that the wood extends equally above and | | | | you have two options. The first option is to repaint the |
| below the hole. Attach the wood using drywall screws | | | | entire room which is another project altogether or you |
| attached through the surrounding drywall. | | | | can paint from corner to corner of the repaired wall. I |
| 4. Create a drywall patch for the hole. Using a tape | | | | would advise you to try and paint from corner to |
| measure, utility knife and a square cut a piece of | | | | corner of the repaired wall first and if it does not |
| drywall to fit inside of the hole. | | | | match with the rest of the room you can always paint |
| 5. Secure the patch using drywall screws attached | | | | the entire room. |
| through the reinforcement board that you have | | | | So the next time you have some damage to your |
| already installed. Screw down the patch until it is flush | | | | sheetrock, if you follow these steps you should have |
| with the surrounding wall. | | | | no problem repairing it to its original state. Good luck. |