Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Drywall Crack Repair - Tips For Beginners

By Brian Winters


Walls and ceilings are usually covered with drywall even though it can only withstand limited abuse. If you have the right tools and knowledge in doing so, you can repair your drywall easily without any fuss. You can always call your local drywall specialist if you think you cannot handle repairing it on your own.

Always take safety into account before attempting to repair your drywall. Avoid inhaling dust particles by wearing a dust mask while sanding the drywall. Secure the area and remind everyone in your household not to enter the room, especially if you are performing a large-scale drywall repair. To prevent encountering unnecessary disasters, wear protective goggles, gloves and footwear beforehand.

Always prepare your tools beforehand. Check whether the consistency of your compound is not too loose or stiff. Old drywall compound can be extremely difficult to apply and can lead to a bumpy and unnatural drywall repair. Use a premixed finishing compound after applying base compound since they are easier to apply compared to powdered ones.

Remove the excess plaster around the crack with a utility knife. Since drywall can easily crack, using a drywall compound alone to conceal it will only last for a short period of time. If you think your house is built on heavy clay soils or you have an unstable foundation, contact a specialist for professional help.

After removing the plaster edges, grab a drywall compound to fill the crack until it is no longer visible. Use a taping knife to spread the compound evenly and flush it with a wall. To prevent the crack from opening easily, lay over a tough drywall paper tape over it. This should keep the crack intact, making it difficult for the panel to open up. If you want a self-adhesive tape, use fiberglass mesh tapes instead of paper tapes.

Apply a thin layer of joint compound over the crack to conceal the tape pieces. With a taping knife, squeeze the excess compound and wait for it to set before applying a top coating. Flush the repaired area with the existing drywall before sanding. Once the texture has been removed, wipe the dust particles with a damp cloth to prepare the panel for finishing.

If you think the surface area is smooth enough, start applying two coats of primer before painting the drywall. This is important since the drywall compound can dry up the paint without applying a primer. To avoid having brush marks, use a paint roller since they are cheaper and easier to clean at the same time. If you prefer using a spray can, do not hold the nozzle too close to avoid uneven wall color.

Following the steps listed above should help you perform a successful drywall crack repair. If you are not comfortable in repairing drywall alone, call a professional for help. Attempting to repair it on your own can bring further damage that leads to a more costly drywall repair in the future.




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