How to do drywall repairs before painting in Salisbury, Maryland
Repairing your walls correctly before painting can make the difference between a good paint job and a great paint job. Obviously, we all want the great paint job so let's begin by fixing those repairs like a pro.
What kind of repair do you need to make?
The majority of drywall repairs fall into a few categories:
- Nail holes and dents (No experience needed)
- Failing seam joints (Experience recommended)
- Drywall Replacement (Experience recommended)
1) Repairing nail holes and dents can be done by just about anyone and by using any kind of drywall compound or paste. Just follow these steps:
Take your 2"or 4" spackle knife and apply the compound with a little pressure so that the void is completely filled with no air inside.
Wipe smooth with your spackle knife.
Let dry and repeat if the compound has shrunk below the surface.
Sand smooth with a fine grit sandpaper or sanding sponge. Make sure the edges are sanded out completely.
2) Repairing failing seam joints requires a little more work and practice, but I believe you can do it if you are patient and take the necessary steps. Determining why the joint tape failed is half the battle, so it is important to figure this out. Here is what you need to do:
A water leak from a busted pipe or roof leak can loosen the adhesion of the tape from the compound and you, obviously, would want to fix this before you proceed. A water stain is usually visable and accompanies the loose tape in this scenerio.
Improper application of the joint tape is also a possibility. There are compounds that are specifically made for tape coats that have stronger adhesion characteristics. Also, the tape must be free of any powders and be fully embedded into the wet compound.
Too much movement. Hopefully, your home was built on a strong, solid foundation and everything was fastened properly. This will, at least, limit the amount your house will move. For those who aren't so lucky, this can cause recurring problems.
R & R (remove & replace) - Do not get lazy on this step. You must remove the failing tape and replace it. Depending on where the joint is and what angle, there are a variety of different joint tapes that you can use. To name a few; paper tape, self-adhesive mesh tape, fiberglass fuze tape, and PVC based composite tape. Knowing what to use and when to use it can be very helpful during this phase. I would recommend consulting someone with a good knowledge base if you are unsure.
3) In some cases, removal of drywall is necessary to fix underlying problems.
Make your cuts from stud-to-stud so that your seams can be fastened down securely.
Another way to fasten securely is to install wood strips to the backside of the drywall (as shown in picture).
Once everything is fastened, proceed to the taping and finishing phase.
Arey Painting will be happy to help or take care of anything you don't feel comfortable tackling on your own. Feel free to call us @ (410) 341-0605.
