Drywall Patch Fixing

This is the service that started it all! We provide patching for wall damage. Whether it was damaged due to water, impact, wear and tear, or old fixtures and screws, we have the materials and techniques that result in a seamless finish.

A common misconception of water damage to drywall is that the entire piece of damaged wall or ceiling needs to be replaced. While this is often the case with water damage, there are instances where the drywall can actually dry out over 48-72 hours, and can be fixed with simple mudding, sanding and fresh paint. When inspecting water damage to your wall or ceiling, poke your finger into the effected area. If it is very spongy and wet, then you will need to replace the entire damaged section. But if the area is generally still quite hard, then you may be lucky and able to easily fix this water damage. Although this is the best case scenario when fixing water damage, it is still vital to make sure the source of the water has been located and resolved, failure to do this will eventually result in further water damage in the future.

How to repair drywall?

For large holes, you’ll need to patch the area with a fresh piece of drywall backed by a wood support. Be sure to use drywall that is the same thickness as the existing material. Many home improvement stores carry drywall scraps, eliminating the need to buy an entire sheet. You’ll be cutting the damaged wall, so make sure you’ve also got a drywall saw handy for this repair.

1. Use a stud finder to find the studs on both sides nearest to the hole. Mark those locations, then mark another three quarters of an inch father into the stud—this will be the halfway mark for the stud itself.
2. Check for any electrical wire or plumbing, and if the coast is clear, use a drywall saw to cut along your lines up the stud.
3. Use a utility knife to cut the drywall away from the stud up to the three quarters of an inch mark. Your end result should be a square or rectangle with half of the stud visible on either side of the shape.
4. Attach a small piece of wood, known as a furring strip, vertically inside the cut-out hole using a drill and drywall screws. Screw the furring strips into the existing drywall. Between the two existing studs and the furring strip, the new drywall will have plenty of support to avoid cracking.
5. Cut the new drywall scrap into a square or rectangle to size. It should fit evenly in the wall cutout.
6. Use drywall screws and a drill to attach the new drywall to the studs and furring strips.
7. Apply joint tape (using joint compound if it isn’t self-adhesive) around the edges of the patch (a.k.a. the drywall joints).
8. Spread a thin coat of joint compound over the patch and tape, increasing pressure around the edges to feather the material. Let the compound dry—this usually takes about 24 hours. Once dry, apply a second coat if necessary.
9. Sand until smooth, wipe away any dust, and paint.