How to Fix Common Drywall Problems

Like most parts of a house, your drywall will have a few problems of its own after a while. Many homeowners panic at the first signs of damage on their drywall, but there’s no need to worry. A lot of these common drywall issues are perfectly fixable with a few DIY steps.

Let our experts from the Handyman Connection® of Winter Park show you our best solutions to these drywall problems.

• Installation Considerations

The preferred construction methods for drywall installation are with appropriate screws and adhesives. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of homes that use nothing but ring-shanked nails to secure the boards in place. While there’s nothing completely wrong with this method, it does result in popped nails when the gypsum boards warp and bend over time.

• Popped Nails

Fixing popped nails is as easy as hammering a new ring-shanked nail right above and another one below the problematic nail. Continue driving the new nails down until there’s a slight recess on the drywall surface. Fill in the extra space with spackle and allow it to dry. Sand and paint the repaired area until it becomes completely invisible from the rest of the wall.

• Drywall Dents

Dents can be fixed with a similar technique. Using a small flat-blade taping knife, apply a layer of spackle or drywall compound right at the damaged area. Wait a minimum of 24 hours to let the compound dry before sanding and painting it thoroughly.

• Drywall Tape Problems

Drywall tape is prone to bubbling and breaking. Replacing the adhesive may be a little bit more complex than other problems because of the large area they often cover. Carefully remove the tape on the damaged area using a sharp utility knife. Some of the drywall compounds will come with the tape as you peel it away. This is normal. Afterward, reseal the edges with new spackling and give it time to dry completely before sanding, re-taping and painting.

Find everything you need for any DIY project at Handyman Connection of Winter Park, your leading provider of drywall compounds, putty, spackle and more. Give us a call at (407) 270-2348 or fill out our online contact form to request an estimate.