There is only so much abuse that drywall can take. Eventually, it will give way and you will be left with an unsightly hole in your wall. This can be caused by something as simple as flinging a door wide open, forcing the doorknob through the wallboard. Holes on your wall look terrible. However, this damage is very easy to fix. All the materials you need are available at any hardware store.
For fixing small holes, drywall repair kits can cost from $2 to $20. Real simple repairs can be performed using only joint compound, a hand saw, and drywall tools like a hammer, a utility knife, and a drill. For more significant damage, the cost will obviously be higher. If you actually need to replace a section of drywall, materials will cost an average of 25 cents to 65 cents per square foot. For professional work, expect to pay 85 cents to $1.50 more per square foot. To hang a full sheet, you will need some help. Sheetrock, wall board, and plaster board can all be heavy.
While drywall repair is easy to do, it is also easy to do badly. A repair kit will include all the drywall tools you should need, plus illustrated and easy to read instructions. Read the instructions carefully and take your time. To fill a dent, begin by cleaning away any loose edges around the dent. Sand the dent so that the surface becomes rough. Then, put about half of a blade width of joint compound on a joint knife. With a smooth stroke, pull the knife across the dent. Pull it across again at a 90 degree angle to remove excess compound. Let the patch dry. If it shrinks, apply another coat. Once completely dry, lightly sand the repair to blend it in with the rest of the wall, then wipe with a damp sponge. Prime the wall, then paint.
For holes in the wall, you will need a kit with a repair screen. You will need a screen that is two inches large than the hole you are fixing. Attach the screen to the back of the hole according to the instructions on the kit. When applying the compound, make sure it sticks to the screen. Because the joint compound will shrink, you will likely need to apply two to three coats.
If the hole in your wall is large, then you might need to call a professional. But, you can try this repair on your own. You will need to draw a square around the hole, and then cut away the remaining material with a saw. Then, using the cut out as a template, fashion a piece of drywall from a new sheet, making sure to bevel the edges. This piece should fit snugly into the cut out. Spread compound on the edges, and set into place. Smooth the compound around the edges of the patch, the apply drywall tape to all of the joints. When the compound is dry, smooth it out with sandpaper.
Drywall repair is a fairly common do it yourself repair that almost anyone can do. However, for large damage, you would be better off calling a professional. If entire sheets need to be replaced, the job is going to take more than one person anywhere. Considering the scale of the project, it is best to have someone with experience to do the work. Otherwise, you might find yourself having to do the repair more than once in order to get it right. Also, professional repairs are backed by a warranty in case there is an issue with materials or workmanship.
