HOW TO REPAIR A SMALL HOLE IN

DRYWALLADRIANA M. WILLIAMS

OL 263TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS

CARI OGDENJANUARY 13, 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Safety Precautions Equipment Necessities Locations of equipment purchases

Instructions for repairing a hole in drywall

Troubleshooting

PROVIDING YOU A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES TO REPAIR ANY

DRYWALL DAMAGES.

INTRODUCTION 11 productive steps

to help you repair damaged drywall within your home.

Estimated timeframe 1 hour – 3 hours.

SAFETY FIRST!

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR SAFETY GLOVES WHEN USING SHARP TOOLS.

THE SAFETY GLOVES WILL BE ON CERTAIN SLIDES AS A *REMINDER*

LIST OF MATERIALS

PAINT ROLLERPAINT ROLLERDRYWALL DRYWALL SCREWSSCREWS

2 PIECES OF 2 PIECES OF SCRAP WOODSCRAP WOOD

PIECE OF PIECE OF DRYWALLDRYWALL

MUD DRYWALL MUD DRYWALL COMPOUNDCOMPOUND

FIBERGLASS FIBERGLASS DRYWALL TAPEDRYWALL TAPE

120 GRIT-120 GRIT-SANDPAPERSANDPAPER UTILITY KNIFEUTILITY KNIFE

CORDLESS DRILLCORDLESS DRILL SAFETY GLOVESSAFETY GLOVES PUTTY KNIFEPUTTY KNIFE MEASURING TAPEMEASURING TAPE

PAINTPAINT PENCILPENCIL

*NOTE* BEFORE BEGINNING MAKE SURE YOU TAKE

THE PIECE OF DRYWALL YOU WILL BE USING TO MATCH THE COLOR OF PAINT NEEDED.

GET TWO PIECES OF PLYWOOD IF POSSIBLE FOR YOUR SCRAP PIECES OF WOOD TO BE USED.

WHERE CAN THESE MATERIALS BE PURCHASED?

STEP 1 Gather your pencil and measuring tape.

STEP 2 Measure a square shape around the hole by taking the pencil and measuring tape or ruler.

STEP 3 Next using utility knife cut out damaged drywall making sure you square up the hole.

USE SAFETY GLOVES

*NOTE* THIS WILL MAKE CUTTING YOUR PATCH TO FIT A LOT EASIER.

KEEP THE DRYWALL PIECE FOR MATCHING PAINT.

STEP 4 Measure the cut out square area, and take two pieces of scrap wood that are about four inches longer than the hole.

STEP 5 Then using your

cordless drill and drywall screws place the piece of scrap wood in and behind the hole, and drill the screws on opposite ends of the scrap piece of wood through the wall.

STEP 6 Next measure the

damaged area with your measuring tape. Using your utility knife you want to cut your piece of sheetrock according to those same measurements to square up the hole.

*NOTE* Before moving on to the next step

double check and make sure that your piece of sheetrock squares up to the damaged area.

STEP 7 Take your cut out piece of

drywall and install it into the hole placing it against the wood pieces drilled in earlier.

Using your cordless drill and drywall screws drill the screws into opposite ends of the drywall piece same as your scrap piece of wood.

STEP 8 Then using your

fiberglass drywall tape, tape over and around the outer edges of the newly installed drywall patch, and with your utility knife cut the tape at outer edges.

STEP 9 Using your putty

knife and mud drywall compound apply mud drywall compound smoothly over the taped area.

*NOTE* When applying drywall compound mud make sure

to apply as smooth as possible over patch and extend the drywall mud at least six inches past the edge of the tape.

Applying the drywall compound six inches past the edge of the tape will help in feathering the edge for a clean smooth look.

*NOTE* LET THE MUD DRYWALL COMPOUND DRY,

TIME VARIES DEPENDING ON ROOM TEMPERATURE AND WEATHER.

FOR QUICK RESULTS YOU CAN USE A HAIR DRYER TO DRY THE COMPOUND.

EXCESSIVE HEAT CAN CAUSE DRYWALL TO CRACK & SHRINK BE VERY CAREFUL.

STEP 10 Next after the

drywall compound is dry use your piece of 120 grit- sandpaper and sand the area where the hole once was.

*NOTE* If there are noticeable imperfections, apply a thin

layer of drywall compound over the area smoothly.

Please do not move on to the next step until the drywall compound is dry, and then repeat STEP 10.

STEP 11 Then using your

paint and paint roller, paint over corrected area.

Starting in the middle, feather the strokes out to the edges until the color is well blended.

*NOTE* Feathering- this term describes the

technique used to spread the drywall compound and paint in such a way that it blends with the surface of the drywall. Feathering, if applied from the damaged mid section area first , with smooth strokes towards the outer edges of the damaged area will allow you to correctly finish repairs.

TROUBLESHOOTING Double check you have all equipment needed to

complete necessary repairs. Remember to let drywall compound dry before

applying paint. If you are having trouble through any of the steps

remember to refer back to the notes provided and any other helpful hints listed on the instructions guide provided with your equipment.

LINKS http://www.precisionpaintingplus.net/blog/2009/10/how-to-fix-drywall-holes/

http://www.landlordmentor.com/Paint_and_Repairs.html

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-4561033/stock-photo-working-gloves-over-white background.html

http://www.commonsense-home-repair.com/drywall-hole-patch.html

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