
What to do if drywall is a crack?
The only solution is to cut out the damaged corner and rebuild it with a new metal corner bead and fresh joint compound.
How long does it take for drywall to dry?
Wait for the first coat to dry (10 to 12 hours). Then, use a sanding block and 80-grit sandpaper to knock down the high spots (photo 5). Switch to the eight-inch drywall knife and spread on a thinner, wider coat of joint compound with more care.
How to cut a new piece of bead?
Use the snips to cut a new piece of bead to fit into the space where the old section was removed. A tight fit is important, so measure carefully to make sure the new piece doesn't overlap the existing one.
How to repair a broken corner bead?
With the repair area outlined, use the hammer and cold chisel to chip off the old joint compound and expose the metal corner bead beneath.
How to snip through a L-shaped bead?
To snip through the L-shaped bead, cut in from each edge, then bend the piece back and forth until it breaks off. Metal corner bead is sold in eight-foot lengths that cost about two dollars each.
How to fix a mud drywall?
The mud should be as thick as peanut butter. Lay paper drywall tape over each repair. Dip the tape in water before you apply it to make it adhere and flatten better. Scrape the tape flat and recoat it immediately with mud. Scrape that mud flat and let the repair dry overnight.
How to remove a streak from drywall?
Cut out bubbles and separating tape with a utility knife. Cut away all the loose tape, leaving only tape that is still firmly attached to the wall . Scrape off dry, loose joint compound, or mud, with a 4-inch drywall knife. It's important to remove all of it -- even small particles can cause streaking when you recoat.
How long does it take for mud to dry?
Let the hot mud dry completely, which takes from 6 to 10 hours, then recoat it with two or three coats of non-setting mud, scraping each coat flat and letting it dry before applying the next. Sand and prime the final coat before you paint it.
How to make mud with mud?
Prepare a small amount of setting-type, or hot, mud. Pour some powder into a mudding tray, add water and stir until it is lump-free and about the consistency of honey. You can mix it thinner than the non-setting variety because it doesn't shrink and is best applied in thin coats.
Can hot mud and fiberglass be used together?
Both fiberglass mesh tape and hot mud resist cracking, so the combination should provide a permanent repair unless the shifting of the walls is extreme.
Small Dents and Dings
Scrape away loose debris from the hole. Cover the hole or dent with fast-drying spackle to bring the spackle level with the drywall surface and let it dry 24 hours -- or the time recommended by the manufacturer’s instructions. Sand smooth.
Popped Nail Heads
A popped nail isn't holding in the stud and backs out of the drywall, creating a popped nail head.
Small Holes
For small holes, like those created by a doorknob, a patch kit may be used.
Large Holes
For holes larger than 6 inches, you'll create a drywall patch with a different attachment method for the repair.
Corner Bead Patch
Corner bead is used where two pieces of drywall meet to form a corner. Corner bead is available in a variety of materials, including metal, paper and vinyl.
Finish the Repair
You're almost done. Here's where you make it look like nothing happened.
Repair Textured Drywall
Textured drywall is a bit more complicated, but still pretty simple to repair.
