From small dents to large holes, Drywall Repair Las Vegas is usually something that you can handle yourself with a few key tools and know-how.
Large holes and dents should be filled, taped, and lightly sanded before painting.
If a hole in your wall exposes electrical cords or plumbing lines, you should have a professional inspect the area.
Drywall is the most common interior wall material in homes. As such, it tends to encounter several problems that can be problematic for your home. These issues can be as small as nail pops or as large as a sagging ceiling. Regardless of the extent of these problems, they need to be fixed before you repaint your walls to ensure a smooth surface and a flawless paint job.
Moisture is one of the most common problems that drywall faces. Typically, this moisture comes from the leaking of plumbing or water. If left unattended, this moisture can wreak havoc on the structure of your home and cause mold and mildew. The best way to protect your home from this issue is to catch it early by identifying the signs of wet drywall. Some of the most obvious signs of wet drywall include staining, sagging, and musty odors.
The amount of damage that wet drywall can do depends on how long it stays wet. Even if the drywall isn’t leaking, it can suffer from other problems such as loosened joint tape or cracks in the seams. A professional drywall contractor can inspect the drywall and provide repairs to prevent further damage.
In some cases, a professional may need to replace the affected drywall. This is especially true for drywall that’s damaged by sewage or outdoor flooding. Sewage and flood water can carry a wide variety of harmful bacteria and chemicals that are not good for the health of you and your family. If the drywall and insulation are not replaced, it can lead to the development of mold clusters in the walls as well as poor air quality throughout your home.
If you have a sagging ceiling, it’s a good idea to have a professional drywall contractor inspect the problem and make repairs before you try to repaint your home. A professional can also help you find the source of the problem, whether it’s a loose joist or a faulty roof. If you decide to do the repairs yourself, make sure to take proper safety precautions. Sanding drywall creates fine dust that can cause breathing difficulties for those who are not wearing a face mask and eye protection.
Holes
Whether you’re a serial renter or a bona fide homeowner, drywall patching is one of the most common home improvement tasks. Small holes or blemishes caused by screws, nails, pushpins, wall mounts, or other fasteners are easily fixed with spackle or drywall compound and a putty knife. However, large holes or dents require the help of a more substantial tool: a drywall patch kit with drywall mud, mesh drywall tape, and a drywall knife.
As time passes, every home settles unevenly, and this sometimes causes the inside corners of your drywall to crack or dent. The key to repairing this issue is to watch the affected area for movement over two or three months and only fix it after any further movement stops.
If the drywall corner bead has become dented, you can repair it by removing the paint and putting a new piece of drywall tape over it. This will make the ding or hole less noticeable. To get a smooth finish, apply two coats of drywall compound with the knife, letting the first dry between swipes of the second. Sand the resulting surface and prime before painting.
Small holes, about the size of a doorknob, can also be repaired with spackle or lightweight drywall joint compound. If the hole is in the corner, use a four-inch utility knife to cut a square of drywall patch from the patch kit. Apply the patch, smooth with the knife, and feather the edges to blend in with the surrounding drywall.
If the hole is near the center of a wall stud, use a carpenter’s square and a pencil or marker to draw a line at least an inch above and below the damaged area. This will let you know where to cut, and it will ensure the patch is securely attached to the wall studs. Next, using a utility knife, remove the area of drywall that’s damaged. Carefully work around electrical wires to avoid cutting any of them. Finally, replace the damaged section of drywall with a new piece of drywall tape and a fresh coat of drywall compound.
Cracks
Wall cracks can range from minor to serious, but they all should be addressed. Cracks that appear to be getting larger over time often flag underlying structural concerns, which can become quite expensive if left untreated.
Cracks running straight across the wall can occur in new homes or older houses, and they’re usually the result of normal house “settling.” The cracks may disappear over time, but a professional should be consulted to determine the source of the problem and address it before it gets worse. Cracks that are jagged and zigzagging can be signs of structural problems and should be dealt with immediately.
The cracks can be caused by a number of things, including the improper installation of drywall panels. If the studs aren’t supported properly, they can pull away from the wall over time and cause a crack. In addition, water leaks can seep down through the framing, saturating the drywall and causing it to soften and deteriorate. The resulting cracks have yellow or brownish discolorations and can feel wet to the touch.
Drywall cracks are most easily repaired by re-taping the seams where the drywall panels meet. To do this, remove the old tape and apply 1/8-in. thick bed of patch drywall compound to the wall. Then, press paper tape into the compound and spread another coat of drywall compound over the top of the tape. After the second coat dries, lightly sand the surface to smooth it and blend the edges. Then prime and paint.
The cost of repairing a crack depends on the type and extent of damage, but it typically costs $50–$80 per square foot or $60–$100 per hour. If you need to repair a large section of drywall, it may be more economical to remove and replace the damaged area rather than patch over it. If you want to save money, try to tackle the repairs yourself. To make sure you have a professional-looking job, light the area in which you’re working and check the shadows for any pockmarks or high spots. You can also put a couple of coats of matching paint on the repaired spot to hide any imperfections in the drywall.
Sagging Ceilings
A sagging ceiling is not something you can ignore. It’s not only a major safety concern but also a sign of serious structural damage. The good news is that it’s usually easy to correct. But first, you need to understand what causes sagging in the first place.
Most of the time, sagging is due to water damage. This can occur from a leaky roof, from problems with pipes, or from condensation that builds up on the ceiling surface. Once the plaster is damp, it will start to sag, and the wood lath will start to show through. If you don’t deal with the problem quickly, it can spread to the walls and cause a lot of damage that will be costly to repair.
If the damage is not severe, you can reattach the plaster to the lath using drywall screws and plaster washers. The washers will help distribute the weight of the plaster evenly, stopping the sagging. However, if the problem is more serious, you will need to reinforce or replace the ceiling.
Sagging can be caused by a number of issues, including movement in the building, a lack of support from beams, or an overcrowded ceiling area. It can also be caused by old strapping that wears out with age or by a lack of support from ceiling joists that are spaced too far apart.
Like cracks, sagging can be fixed by adding additional supports to the ceiling or simply replacing the existing drywall. It may also be necessary to add insulation to the ceiling to help prevent heat escaping and further sagging.
More significant cracks and sagging can indicate a more serious problem with the foundation or structural components of your home. These types of cracks and sagging require a professional inspection to determine the best course of action. Fixing these issues yourself risks papering over a larger problem and can lead to further problems down the line. So if you have cracks or sagging in your drywall, don’t hesitate to call a professional and get the issue resolved as soon as possible.
