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Small size holes (1/4” or smaller)
With small holes, simply apply a little joint
compound or wall putty with a small putty knife
or trowel. Let dry, then sand lightly and paint.
Medium size holes
(Greater than ¼” in diameter and smaller than 2”
in diameter)
First clean out the hole and surrounding area of
any debris and loose sheetrock. Then apply a
mesh tape, specifically manufactured for
sheetrock applications, across the hole. Use
your putty knife to ensure that it is applied
evenly on the wall surface. Next apply a liberal
amount of Joint Compound over the hole and mesh.
Let this set for 1 to 2 days.
After the initial coat has been applied and has
had time to fully dry, apply a second skim coat
of Joint Compound over the area. However, this
time spread the Joint Compound over an area that
is 2-3 times the size of the original hole.
Basically you want to flare out the area that
you are repairing so that it will blend in
nicely with the rest of the wall. Again let the
area dry for a day.
Finally lightly sand the area and apply one last
skim coat over the area. Again spreading the
Joint Compound out a little further than the
last application. Let the Joint Compound set up
one more day, sand lightly and then paint.
Holes larger than 2 inches
With large holes, I recommend cutting out an
area such that a new small piece of sheetrock
can be applied to the 2”x4” studs. For example,
I would consider putting in a new 16”x16” piece
of sheetrock for a hole that is greater than 2”
in diameter and less than 16” in diameter.
The best method to remove the piece of damage
sheetrock is to use a Carpenters knife (razor
blade) and score the area where you want to cut
out. Repeatedly apply the knife until you have
worked your way through the sheetrock. When
complete, you should have about ½” to ¾” of the
2”x4” stud showing on each of the two exposed
studs.
Note:
Care should be taken to ensure no wires are cut
behind the sheetrock when cutting out the
damaged piece.
Next, cut a piece of new sheetrock to the size
of the hole, and secure with sheetrock screws or
ringed sheetrock nails.
Next, tape the cracks with the mesh tape
material mentioned above. Then as described
earlier, apply three skim coats of Joint
Compound, with each successive coat getting
flared out further. Make sure you wait for the
Joint Compound to dry before applying the next
coat. Perform a final light sand after the final
coat has been applied and has had time to dry,
and then paint.
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