It's been a while since we've discussed property renovations on this blog. Today, I intend not only to talk about commercial property renovations, but rather something that applies to all sorts of properties: drywall repair.
To many, drywall repair can be a daunting task. It's certainly not difficult to make a mistake that will inevitably show through your paint and become an eyesore. Drywall work is a field that requires a fair amount of skill to achieve a professional look, and it's best learned by working in the industry. Nevertheless, you can get ahead of the curve on your next drywall project by remembering these five industry tips to help you do a professional job.
5 Tips For A Professional Drywall Patching Job
1. Stick to one kind of mud
There are two different types of drywall mud you can use on any given job: pre-mixed and hot mud. Pre-mixed is a type of joint compound that comes in a tub or bucket and is ready to be applied. It cures by air drying. Hot mud, on the other hand, comes as a powder and is mixed by hand. Hot mud cures through a chemical reaction (meaning it cures differently from a pre-mixed compound).
Mixing these two would be a crucial mistake. Be cautious never to mix the two when they are wet, or mixing the type of material you use on different coats. The latter increases the risk that the patch will not sand evenly.
2. Don't tape with pre-mixed mud
Both types of joint compound have their pros and cons. While pre-mixed is certainly more convenient, hot mud is often preferred by professionals because it's stronger and can provide for more coats in quicker succession.
It is important for anybody doing drywall repairs where the seams are being taped to remember that any such seams should be coated with hot mud, as a pre-mixed compound would be liable to crack with this type of application.
3. Feather the edges of your patches
This is one of the biggest aspects of mudding that will make or break whether a drywall patch is aesthetically pleasing or not. It is important to remember that, when patching, you will always be making a subtle "hump" in the wall. Whether you're trying to cover a hole or tape or something else, the patch has to protrude slightly in the center to provide proper coverage and protection. The most important part of a drywall patch, however, are the edges. Good edges will hide this hump and provide for a smooth transition into the rest of the wall. Even before sanding, the edges should be almost flush with the wall.
This "feathering" is performed by gliding your blade along the edges in a way so that most of the pressure you're applying is centered on the corner of the blade facing away from the patch, while minimizing pressure on the other side. This should cause the blade to bend slightly. Making sure that your blade is as close to parallel with the wall as you can reasonably get it, drag it across the edges (the middle of the blade being right along the edge) to create a feather.
This is what often separates DIY-ers from pros: don't worry about the center of the patch as much as the edges. Minor ripples, buildups, etc. can be sanded out, but if the edges of your patch are very sharp, they will be much more difficult to sand smooth.
4. Use dish soap when skim coating
During the final layer of mud (known as the "skim coat"), it's important to try to get the patch as smooth as possible to minimize the amount of sanding that needs to be done. A trick that some professionals use to avoid small bubbles in the finish and make the mud creamier is to put a couple drops of dish soap into a pan of mud. This usually makes the skim coat much smoother and easier to apply.
Remember, a little goes along way, only a couple drops are needed in a pan filled about half way. Too much dish soap could reduce the strength of the compound. This also isn't recommended for any coat except the final skim coat.
5. Always prime drywall patches before painting
After you've sanded your spots and you're ready to paint, remember first to put a layer of primer on the spots you've prepared. Depending on the type of finish you're going for, you don't necessarily need to use a separate primer. Covering just the spots with a flat sheen of the paint you're using should suffice in most cases. After that you can begin painting. Also make sure to prime any drywall patches you've made before caulking in the areas with the patches, as caulk will not stick as well to an unprimed surface.
Be sure not to skip this step, otherwise your patches will soak paint faster than the rest of the wall and will consequently stick out like a sore thumb, necessitating many more coats of paint than you would need otherwise.
So there you have it! Now you know five professional tips that you can use the next time you try your hand at drywall repair. For those reading that own or manage commercial properties in Southeastern Pennsylvania, be sure to consider our company for your janitorial, remodeling, and cosmetic repair needs.
(610) 719-7590 • mike@shearerpm.com
Comentarios