5 Useful Tips to Remember When Patching Drywall

Before you repaint your wall, you need to prep the surface. In some cases, such as with older wall textures like stucco, you’ll have to patch up the drywall to get rid of imperfections before you can actually start your repainting project. Handyman Connection® of Lexington shares five useful tips to remember when patching drywall.

1. Use a Self-Priming Filler

Using a self-priming filler for your patching project eliminates the need for you to manually prime your patching material with a sealer. This allows you to avoid an extra step, and you prevent the newly patched area from showing through your finished paint.

2. For Bigger Holes, Use a Setting Compound

Patching compounds and fillers are only useful for small holes. For larger and deeper areas, we recommend using a setting compound so that you can properly patch the area. The best type to use is a joint compound that sets via a chemical reaction. All you need to do is mix it with water, and the compound will harden by itself in a few minutes.

3. Repair Stress Cracks

You don’t need to worry about fixing stress cracks in your home using your traditional joint compound. Simply use a spray-on crack repair to cover it. The spray itself forms a flexible membrane over the crack and can extend the life of your repair. Apart from being easier to do, the membrane itself stretches and relaxes as the building moves.

4. Skim Coat the Surface

For areas with many dents and holes, don’t stress yourself filling each one separately. Rather, skim-coat the area to fill it up in one go. We recommend using a wider taping or putty knife so that you can cover more area in one sweep.

5. Have Light Source by Your Side

Finally, make sure you have a handy light source when you’re prepping your walls for a repainting. Positioning the light so that it travels across the surface of the wall accentuates any defects and makes them easier to spot. You’ll also have an easier time finding patches that need patching or sanding.

Handyman Connection of Lexington can assist you with your drywall project. Fill out our form, or give us a call at (859) 274-4477 for more information on our services.