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Here are tips and suggestions
on how to patch and repair plasterboard walls. Read these
suggestions carefully to help you make such repairs easily
and quickly. |
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1 -
REPAIRING SMALL DENTS IN WALLBOARD |
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Objects that come in contact
with wall board can cause dents or scratches in the
surface. These indentations are easy to repair.
First, sand the surface thoroughly (Fig. 1). This sanding
roughens the surface and provides a good base for the
joint compound you will use.
Use coarse sandpaper and a good sandpaper block. For large
areas to be repaired, use a power sander.
Fill the dent with a good grade of joint compound using a
3" or 4" spreader (Fig. 2). Spread the compound evenly,
pressing it firmly into the dented area.
For extremely large dents, allow the compound to dry
overnight and then apply a second coat.
When the material is completely dry, sand the area and
prime it for a coat of paint or other finish.
Be sure to remove any high or low spots in the patched
area with a fine sandpaper. |
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2 -
PATCHING CRACKS IN WALLBOARD. |
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Various types of patching
materials are available for patching drywall. These
include adhesive and non-adhesive drywall tapes, fast
drying patching compounds and drywall bandages.
Regardless of the type of patching materials you use, read
the manufacturer's instructions carefully and follow each
step as suggested. Some patching compounds dry quickly,
while others require longer periods to dry.
Be sure the cracked area to be patched is completely clean
and dry. Remove all dirt from the area and clean out all
cracks.
Apply the patching plaster with a wide and flexible putty
knife (Fig. 3). Apply the compound by working across the
crack with strokes in both directions. This method is the
best way to work the patching plaster into the crack.
Force the patching material into the crack with strong,
firm strokes (Fig. 4). Examine the crack after each stroke
to ensure that enough material is applied at all points.
The knife should bend with pressure as you draw it along
the cracked area. Repeat the passes as often as necessary
to force the material well into the cracked surface.
Use the putty knife as a scraper to remove any surplus
material (Fig. 5). Move it along the cracked area gently
to scrape away the surplus material that was applied by
the double strokes show in Fig. 3.
You may want to dip the putty knife into water and make a
final pass along the repaired area (Fig. 6). Touch up any
areas that need more patching material.
After the patched area has dried completely, sand and
prime it to prepare for the finish you desire. |
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3 -
PATCHING SMALL HOLES IN WALLBOARD |
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You can repair small holes, up
to 4" to 6", in drywall using drywall bandages. To make a
drywall bandage, use a keyhole saw to make the hole into a
square or a rectangle (Fig. 7). Cut a piece of drywall the
same shape as the hole. It should be 2" longer and 2"
wider than the hole.
Lay the piece of drywall down on a flat surface, shiny
side down. Measure the 1" from all four edges and draw a
line. This should form a shape the side of the hole.
Using a straight edge and a utility knife, cut through the
drywall to the bottom layer. Do not cut the bottom layer
of paper. Using a putty knife, remove the top layer of
paper and core all the way down to the bottom layer of
paper (Fig. 8). Be careful not to tear the bottom layer.
The cut part of the patch should fit into the hole. The
paper edge should cover about 1" around the hole. Apply a
thin layer of patching compound around the hole. Place the
patch into the hole (Fig. 9). Using a putty knife, work
the paper edge down into the compound. Feather the edges
of the compound and allow it to dry. You may need to sand
lightly and apply a second layer of compound to finish the
repair.
Larger hole, up to 12", require a slightly different
repair which provides more support. Again use a keyhole
saw to form the hole into a square or a rectangle (Fig.
7).
Cut a patching piece of wallboard that's about 2" larger
than the hole to be repaired (Fig 10). Punch or drill two
small holes through this piece of board and tie a stick to
it, as illustrated. Allow for about 8" between the board
and the stick.
Apply a smooth coat of good grade adhesive all around the
edges of the piece of patching material.
Insert the patching board through the hole and position it
so the adhesive fits firmly against the solid area around
the hole.
Now turn the stick clockwise twisting the string and
increasing pressure against the patch board at the rear of
the hole (Fig. 11). When the string has been thoroughly
tightened, it will hold the board firmly into place until
the adhesive dries.
Give the adhesive time to dry. Then fill in the area with
a good grade of patching plaster (Fig. 12). Leave the
stick and the string in position during the patching
process.
You may need to apply two or three layer of patching
plaster to build up the patched area. Always allow one
layer to dry before applying another.
Remove the stick and string just before the material
dries. Smooth out the area then let the patch dry
thoroughly.
When the area is completely dry, sand off all high spots
and apply a prime coat for paint or other finish (Fig. 13)
Use a fine grade of sandpaper and a sanding block for the
finish sanding work. |
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4 -
PATCHING LARGE HOLES IN WALLBOARD |
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Larger holes in wallboard
require some type of supporting brace for the patch.
Use a short piece of 2 x 4 cut to the proper length as a
supporting brace for patching a large hole in plasterboard
(Fig. 14).
Cut two pieces of 2 x 4 to a length about 8" longer than
the distance across the hole.
Apply a good grade of cement to one piece of 2 x 4, then
insert it through the hole. Tie it to another piece of 2 x
4 holding it parallel in front of the wallboard.
Allow the pieces of 2 x 4 to remain tied in this position
until the cement dries. Most cements require about one
hour to dry.
Next, remove the supporting piece of 2 x 4 in front of the
wallboard by untying the string (Fig. 15). The cement will
hold the back piece of 2 x 4 firmly in position, providing
a support brace for the wall patch.
Now cut a patch block to the exact dimensions of the
sawed-out area. (Fig. 16). The block will be slightly
smaller than the hole itself, but cut it to fit as tightly
as possible.
Apply cement to the back of the patch block and the
support brace, then put the patch into position in the
hole.
Use a firm putty knife or patching spatula to apply joint
compound all around the patch board (Fig. 17).
Work the patch compound thoroughly into all cracks. Scrape
away any surplus material, then allow the patched area to
dry completely.
When the area has completely dried, use a regular sanding
block and a piece of fine sandpaper to sand away any high
areas on the patched surface (Fig. 18).
A prime coat can now be applied to prepare the wall for
painting. |
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