Drywall Problems?

Here's a few great tips that can help get that professional look in your drywall repair work, even if your a first timer. Getting the right tools and products is easy here at Affordable Tools in Midland.

Nail Pops

To fix the drywall wall studs and ceiling joists you will find that most are repaired with nails and at times these nails will pop out. This can be caused by lumber shrinkage. Unfortunatly, it's not as easy as just hammering those nails back in. After time they will pop out again. The best fix we've found is to remove the nail. Pull the nail out first, and find the exact center for the stud. Then use two drywall screws and drive them into this central point. Apply joint compound over the repaired spot. This will take about three thin layers. In some cases, your drywall might have already have screws instead of nails. If your screws are popping like nails, use the same solution. Sand, paint, and your done!

Patching Small Holes

Small holes can be repaired with the help of stick-on repair plates. These are very handy to use and even have an adhesive backing. Just peel off the adhesive and stick it over the hole. When finished you can simply paint over it. This little trick works so well that after a week goes by, you may not be able to remember where you fixed your wall.

Patching Larger Holes

For larger holes in drywall, it's best to "create" your own drywall patch. Draw a square around the hole and then you can cut out that piece. Next, cut a new piece of drywall and patch up the hole by screwing it into the studs with drywall screws. Next, apply your joint compound all around the square. Next, use paper drywall tape to camouflage the difference between the patch and the wall. Once you're done, sand the repaired spot. Reapply another coat of compound, then sand again. Make sure your sanding blends nicely with the wall so you can paint the spot and not be able to tell where your damage was prior to fixing.

Visible Joint Tape

Paper joint tape can come undone and appear to be peeling. First, start with stripping the tape off the wall. Next, a layer of joint compound is spread over the spot. Now you can lay your layer of tape without overlapping onto old tape. Once this is done, use the same techniques above for finishing your job. After you sand and primer, your ready for paint!