When you’re ready to paint your walls, it’s important to remember that drywall repair is the key to a quality and durable paint job. Any holes or cracks in the drywall will show through the new coat of paint, which could cause peeling or bubbling. This can lead to discoloration and even irreparable damage over time. In addition, if you have primed or painted over existing paint in the past, it could cause issues with adhesion between layers of paint and drywall.
If any of these issues sound familiar, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with our easy guide for repairing drywall before painting.
What Is Drywall?
Drywall is the most common type of wallboard used in houses and commercial buildings. It consists of gypsum plaster sandwiched between two layers of paper.
When you poke small holes in your drywall, it creates an opportunity for water or other liquids to seep through and damage your wall’s structure. That’s why drywall repair is essential before any painting job.
Types of Drywall Repair
You can repair drywall in two ways: tape and spackle or joint compound. Both techniques are quick and easy, but they do require different tools.
Tape and Spackle
The tape and spackle process requires no special tools but is messy and time-consuming. It’s ideal for repairing small holes, like nail holes, and involves applying tape strips over damaged areas, then filling the gaps with spackling compounds. The result is an uneven surface that needs sanding down before painting.
Joint Compound
Joint compound is less messy than tape and spackle because you apply it with a putty knife instead of smearing it like paste. Joint compound also dries faster than tape and spackle, making it ideal for repairing large holes.
The Step-by-Step Process of Drywall Repair
One of the most common issues people run into when painting their walls is drywall repair on damaged drywall. Drywall repair is a systematic process that needs careful application for the best results.
You’ll need a drywall repair kit to complete the repair process. This patch kit includes all the tools and materials you need, including a scraper, putty knife, wooden boards, screws, sanding pads, and drywall mud (joint compound).
Once you have all your materials, follow this simple process to repair your drywall before painting:
- Use a utility knife, screwdriver, and hammer to cut away any loose pieces of drywall. If trying to fix a corner bead already separated from your wall, remove any nails or screws and pry off loose pieces with a crowbar or screwdriver.
- Clean off any dust from the area with a damp cloth or vacuum cleaner attachment.
- Use sandpaper to remove all loose paint and smooth down any jagged edges on the remaining surface area (you may want to wear protective gloves while doing this).
- Apply joint compound (drywall mud) over any cracks or holes on the surface of your wall with a putty knife until smooth. This is an essential process in the drywall repair process, as it will determine the results of your paint job. Ensure an even application with no gaps showing through from underneath.
- Sand down any rough edges with medium-grit sandpaper (150-grit) until smooth.
- Next, wipe away excess dust with a damp rag before allowing it to completely dry overnight.
- The final step is applying primer over the joint compound so that everything matches when you paint down the road.
Contact Us Today for a Free Painting Estimate
Drywall repair is one of the first steps toward achieving a beautiful paint job, but it can be difficult if your walls have cracks or holes. Painting over these imperfections can result in an unsightly finish!
To ensure that your paint job lasts as long as possible, we recommend repairing any cracks or holes in drywall before painting.
If you’re looking to repaint your home in Mount Clemens, MI, contact Elite Paint Home Renovations today. Whether you need to drywall repair before painting or just want to touch up a few spots, we can help.
Our team of experts has over 30 years of experience, and we proudly offer the best customer service in the industry. We also provide free estimates and will work around your schedule to establish convenient project times. We promise to deliver exceptional results that will make you glad you called.
Call (586) 500-0567 or contact us online to schedule a free drywall repair and painting estimate today!
