Ripped Drywall: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing it
Drywall repair is a pretty standard DIY task that can bring some of the integrity and appearance back to your walls. There are multiple steps in this process that you must follow to make it wrinkle-free.
Understanding the Damage
Tears in drywall paper will allow moisture to creep into the gypsum underneath if not sealed. When left untreated, this may cause further damage. So timely response to that tear is necessary.
Step-by-Step Repair Process
Prepare the Area
Step 1: Cut Away Loose Paper Using a utility knife, trim ragged edges around tear. The latter portion helps prepare a flat surface for the joint compound to stick on34.
Seal the Gypsum: Use a primer / sealant on the gypsum to keep it from soaking in moisture. We particularly recommend Shellac-based primers for rapid drying and high effecticeness46.
Apply Joint Compound
Spread the joint compound: Using a putty knife, spread an even layer of joint compound over the hole that extends approximately 1 inch beyond where your tear was. This leaves a fresh surface and allows the repair to blend in with the existing wall32.
Smooth it: Strive for even coverage to reduce sanding later. Your joint compound will look terrible at this point, but that is corrected in the next step3.
Drying and Sanding
Wait for the joint compound to be completely dry (30 min, and even overnight if needed due temperature and humidity)
After drying, sand the location with medium-grit paper (120 grit) until smooth. Tip: stiff bristle brushes work quite well on small areas like drawer fronts but a power sander medium to large surfaces much easier than any hand sanding could ever hope to.
Additional Coats
Repeat the same process but apply a second coat of joint compound if needed. This is helps with a smoother finish and an improved wall texture blend32.
Final Touches
Once sanded, wipe the area clean of dust before painting. Use a paint that matches your wall color so the repair is invisible.
Tips for Success
Choose the Appropriate Compound: Lightweight compounds are easier to sand and work with, but may require more coats in larger repairs12.
Dont Use Water-Based Products on Exposed Gypsum: Applying water-based products directly to the outside of exposed gypsum may cause blistering and aggravate harm regarding 46.drywall repair (ad)
Wet sanding: Wet sanding is a way to reduce dust and can give you an extra smooth while doing the proper wetting during desming3.
This is how to repair ripped drywall and your walls will look just like before.
