How to Repair Your Own Drywall

Published 2/19/2023 by Jack Magee

Drywall is a popular material used for interior walls in most homes and buildings. Unfortunately, it’s also easy to damage, whether from a doorknob or a hole from a picture frame, resulting in an unsightly appearance. Repairing drywall is not as difficult as you might think. With the right tools and materials, you can easily repair damaged drywall on your own, and even add a fresh coat of paint for a like-new finish. In this guide, we will take you through the steps on how to repair your own drywall.

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Materials and Tools:

Prep

First, start by preparing the area around the damaged drywall. Use a utility knife to cut away any jagged edges and remove any loose debris from the damaged area. Sand the area around the hole to create a smooth surface. This ensures that the drywall patch you use will have a flat surface to adhere to.

Installation

Next, cut a drywall patch that is slightly smaller than the hole using a utility knife. Place the patch over the hole and use drywall tape to hold it in place. Have a shim behind the drywall to make sure you have something to screw into. Apply a thin layer of drywall joint compound over the patch and let it dry completely. This may take several hours, or even overnight, depending on the size of the patch. Sand the area smooth using sandpaper. (You can use a heat gun to expedite)

Applying Additional Layers of Joint Compound After the first layer of joint compound has dried, apply a second layer, extending beyond the edges of the patch. Let the second layer dry completely and sand it smooth. Repeat with additional layers of joint compound as needed until the repair is flush with the surrounding wall. This process may take several days, depending on the number of layers and how quickly each layer dries.

Prime & Paint! (Our Favorite Part)

Finishing the Repair with Trailblaze Paints Once the repair is complete, it’s time to paint. We recommend using Trailblaze Paints for a professional and durable finish. First, prime the repaired area with an all purpose primer, to ensure the paint adheres properly. Then, paint the repaired area to match the surrounding wall. Trailblaze Paints can work with a wide variety of colors, and our quality is unmatched, which means fewer coats and a better finish.

Clean Up

Clean up any excess joint compound or debris, and dispose of any used materials properly. Make sure to be extra careful in the set-up process. It can be a pain in the tail cleaning up drywall dust all over your home!

Repairing drywall may seem like a daunting task, but with the right materials and tools, you can easily do it yourself. By following these simple steps, and using Trailblaze Paints for a flawless finish, you can have your drywall looking like new in no time.