Whether it came from a party that got a little out of hand or a rambunctious child who pushed the door open a little too far, holes in drywall do happen in the average household. Thankfully, damages to drywall can be fixed if you have the right tools for the job and some experience. Unfortunately, there are way too many do-it-yourself homeowners that assume that this is a simple task and end up with a bigger mess than what they had when they started. Here are three major mistakes to avoid if you choose to attempt drywall repair without a professional.
Slapping On A Ton of Drywall Mud
Whether it is a dent, notch, or all-out hole, you may be tempted to grab a bucket of drywall putty or joint compound and slather away to cover the problem. It is true that some repair jobs will take a lot of drywall putty to fix, but the problem is that all of this compound cannot be applied at one time. The putty should be applied in thinner layers, allowed to dry, sanded, and then the process repeated several times to achieve the best effect. Thick applications will not dry appropriately and can take a lot of time to sand smooth with the rest of the wall's surface.
Getting Lazy About Finishing the Surface
There is no way around it. If you are attempting a drywall repair, sanding will have to be a major part of the task. Making repairs is a time-consuming process that can take several days to complete if it is done the right way. You have to use at least two rounds of sanding, both with course and fine grit sandpaper, in order to get the wall smooth and ready to be painted. Otherwise, you will end up with a spot on your wall that sticks out almost as bad as the damage itself.
Not Allowing Enough Time for Patches to Dry
There are a lot of factors that can affect how long it takes for the drywall putty to dry once it is applied, including humidity levels and temperature in the home. If you do not allow the putty to cure and dry, you will have major issues when you try to sand down the wall or apply paint. Keep in mind that even spots of putty that appear dry on the surface may still be wet and pliable inside.
When it comes down to it, drywall repairs may look like a simple task, but are actually a lot more complex than what most people realize. Appropriate fixes can require days of work, a lot of patience, and a lot of know-how. This is why many people choose to trust a professional contractor like Zip Drywall to get the job done.
Share26 March 2015
I grew up on a small cattle ranch in the southern United States. My dad has been a cowboy all of my life. He spends most of his time outdoors. For years, he didn’t have anywhere to store his equipment such as hay string, troughs, and other items. One spring, my family members decided to give dad something special, a outdoor shed of his own. Now, he has a place to neatly store all of his ranch related articles. If you’re searching for the perfect Father’s Day gift this year, consider surprising your dad with an outdoor shed. On this blog, you will discover how to work with a general contractor to build your father the shed of his dreams.
