Handyman How To: Repair Damaged Sheetrock

Handyman How To: Repair Damaged Sheetrock

There are a few ways you can repair damaged sheet rock in your home. Most small, screw sized holes can be filled in with using just a putty knife, some DryDex Spackling compound and a sanding sponge. However, if the puncture is larger than the size of your index finger it may require two applications.

Most older homes were built using lath and plaster, but have since been repaired by a handyman or remodeled by contractors using gypsum board, or sheet rock. And as anyone who lives in a home with sheetrock walls knows, is that they are not that hard to damage. Luckily though, makings repairs is not that difficult either, even with larger door knob sized holes.

You can call your local handyman to get holes in your walls fixed. But there's really no need to pay a handyman for something that you can do yourself, a few basic tools and some planning is all you need.

The most common wall damage comes from door knobs. The first thing to do is find the wall studs on either side of the damaged area. The studs should be 16'' from center to center. Mark the centers of the two studs using a pencil. Now using a level, horizontally draw a line below the damaged area to meet with the centers of the two studs. Now, draw another line using the level above the hole to be repaired.

If it is a door knob hole you are repairing you should have a 16'' x 8'' rectangle.

Utilizing a drywall saw, cut the two horizontal lines until you hit the studs, then take a razor blade knife and carefully cut down the center lines of the studs. It will help to use the level as a guide. Cut the section out as straight and square as possible. When the cutout's edges are cut clean and there is at least '' of stud exposed, you are ready to measure.

Once you have measured and cut your repair piece of sheet rock you should test fit it. Shave the sides until you have a good fit. A handyman would take some 1'' x 2'' furring strips and nail them to the studs so as to give extra support, if you feel that you need the extra strength, you can put in horizontal runners as well.

When the piece has a good tight fit attach the sheet rock using 1'' drywall screws. Be sure to sink the heads of the screws into the sheet rock slightly. After you have the sheet rock fastened in you are ready to tape and mud.

Using All-Purpose Joint Compound and a tapping knife, skim a light layer of mud down one of the vertical seams. After that, your next step is to take a piece of sheet rock tape and tear it to size, place it over the seam and run the tapping knife down the paper to remove any bubbles. Taking more Joint Compound, lightly apply it over the tape and swipe it smooth with the tapping knife. Work your way around all the seams in this fashion until you are as smooth as possible and you cannot see the paper under the mud. Let the compound dry for at least 24 hours.

When dry, sand the area using a sanding sponge. Reapply a second coat of mud to the sheetrock, let dry and sand to a smooth finish.

And now you're ready to touch up the paint. Finished!

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