How To Repair Old Drywall

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If yous have to repair textured drywall, your first step is to repair the hole. Apply drywall compound to fill small holes, or use a drywall patch to fix larger drywall holes. Then, it's a uncomplicated affair of identifying what type of textured drywall you take and applying the texture!

one

Purchase pre-mixed drywall mud from a habitation supply store. ^[1] This is what about people consider traditional drywall mud, sold in either boxes or buckets. The nearly mutual types are "all purpose", "lightweight all purpose", and "topping" mixed drywall. Apply this to repair modest drywall damages and to create your texture.^[2]
2
Buy a slice of drywall if y'all are repairing a larger hole. ^[3] The drywall piece should be roughly the same size equally your pigsty. Measure your drywall's thickness, and match your drywall patch to the thickness of your existing drywall.
- Purchase a single piece of drywall, or ask an employee if they accept any drywall scrap pieces. They often accept some leftovers from helping other customers.
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3
Mix your drywall compound following the instructions on the box. Nigh drywall will call to mix 5 parts of powdered drywall mix and thirty parts water. You lot can employ a 5 US gal (19 L) bucket to mix all of this together. Add your water 1 loving cup (240 mL) at a time to command your consistency.^[4]
- Purchase drywall compound from a abode supply shop. Whatsoever home supply store should have this ready and in stock.
- You tin allow your drywall sit down overnight to allow lumps to dissolve, if you'd like. This volition create a more uniform texture.
iv

Sand your textured drywall to remove any imperfections. You tin can use a piece of 100 to 120 grit sandpaper or a fine grit sanding sponge. Rub away any uneven surfaces or remaining edges. This will assistance you even out the texture before you repair it. This as well helps create a crude surface for the drywall to attach to.^[5]
5
Apply drywall compound if you are filling dents, dings, and small holes. ^[six] Dip a knife or brush into your drywall compound, then you have an fifty-fifty amount on your blade. Apply the drywall to the damaged area using your knife. So, smooth over the surface to remove any extra drywall.^[seven]
- If the impairment is not totally covered in 1 awarding, reapply the drywall compound until all damaged areas are covered.
6
Utilize a new piece of drywall if you are repairing larger holes. ^[8] Cutting out the drywall around the hole so you tin can patch it. Add backer boards almost 4 inches (ten cm) longer than the size of the hole. Make sure your repair drywall is the same thickness as your original drywall, and cut information technology to the size of the hole. Place your drywall patch within the same pigsty, and screw information technology into the backing boards and the wall. Your big hole is at present patched!^[nine]
- Check for wires earlier yous add your drywall!
- Use a ruler or measuring tape to size your hole.
- You can screw in your drywall with a drill or screwdriver. Identify your screws almost 6 inches (15 cm) autonomously from each other.
7

Sand over your wall again to fifty-fifty out drywall layers. Y'all can use a fine grit sanding sponge or 100 to 120 grit sand newspaper. This will blend the surface area you lot but repaired into the existing drywall, and then you take an even, smooth surface to add together your texture.^[ten]
viii
Paint on wall primer earlier you add your texture. Primer gives the drywall texture something to grip onto and helps it consistently dry. You can apply a light, fifty-fifty layer of wall primer after you lot sand information technology but earlier yous repair the drywall. Allow the primer to dry for 24 hours.^[11]
- You tin can purchase wall primer from abode supply stores in the paint aisle.
- If you didn't utilise primer on your start drywall application, y'all don't need to use it to repair your drywall.
9
H2o down your drywall mixture when you are ready to repair texture. Thinner consistencies allows the drywall mud to flow smoothly across the walls, whether you're using hand tools or a sprayer. Add ane cup (240 mL) of h2o to your mix until yous've created a thin, liquidy batter. The amount you water downwards will depend on the effect you are trying to create, so some experimentation may be needed.^[12]
- Be careful non to add too much water to your mix. If your mixture is watered down too much, it will be difficult to spread beyond the walls. Aim for a thin mixture resembling runny pancake batter.^[13]
- If your mix is besides thick, use some other part of drywall mix to thicken it up.
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one

Identify the skip trowel texture if you see minor circles across a polish surface. Skip trowel refers to a diverseness of textures made by applying very thin layers of drywall at an angle.^[14]
ii
Wait for the adobe-style, subtle texture if you have a Santa Fe texture. This texture is built with 2, thin layers to create a low-profile expect. This style is mainly pop in:^[15]
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Texas
- California
- Nevada.
iii

Acquire to recognize the round pattern of a swirl drywall texture. This texture is made by moving a pocketknife in circular motions, creating a collection of semi-circles across the wall or ceiling.^[16]
iv
Familiarize with the floral shape of the rosebud drywall texture. It is fabricated by applying very thin layers of drywall and stamping the drywall with a castor.^[17]
- This texture is pop because it is like shooting fish in a barrel to apply and creates a fun texture.
5
Look for a dimpled surface pattern if you have orangish peel texture. Your walls will look just like its name, resembling the slightly textured yet smooth surface.^[18]
- Orange skin drywall is a very pop texture because it provides durability.
half-dozen

Recognize the splatter knockdown texture past its pocket-size spatters. The splatter knockdown texture is created past spraying layers of drywall and using a knife to shine down some of the paint globs.^[19]
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Look for thick, puffy textures if you accept popcorn texture. This texture is besides very popular, though it has a unique appearance based on what is added to the drywall mix. It creates a raised, puffy appearance on the walls.^[20]
- This used to be pop in the 1970s-1990s and is non well received in modern homes.
8

Utilise hand tools to repair textures similar skip trowel, Santa Fe, swirl, and rosebud. These textures are created using drywall knives or brushes, and are relatively easy to consummate.
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Use a spray hopper to repair orange skin, splatter knockdown, or popcorn drywall textures. These textures will require some equipment to spray on the texture.

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1

Dip a paintbrush or drywall knife into your drywall mix. Dunk your brush two–3 inches (5.1–seven.6 cm) into the paint, and wipe off any extra drywall mix. Your castor or knife should be thoroughly saturated just non with likewise much mix.^[21]
2
Use a calorie-free, even layer by wiping your brush across the repair expanse. This will create your beginning layer of textured drywall. You want an even, smooth layer across the repair surface area ^[22]
- If there is any extra drywall mix, wipe information technology away with your brush or knife.
3
Create your original texture with your brush or pocketknife. You are looking to repair the existing texture you created initially, so mimic the same application process you first made. Remember to dip your brush dorsum into your drywall mixture as needed.^[23]
- For the skip trowel texture, angle your knife when you employ the drywall and so the drywall will skill across the surface and go out behind a texture.
- For the Santa Fe texture, utilise 2 smoothen layers with a rounded knife. When you utilize the superlative layer, allow some of the bottom layer show through to create this texture.
- For a swirl texture, move your brush in circular motions, either clockwise or counter-clockwise. You lot should match your motions to the directions of the circles y'all created the first fourth dimension.
- For the rosebud texture, utilize 1 thin layer of drywall mix with your pocketknife, and then accept a soft bristled brush and stamp information technology onto your wall. The spread bristles will create flower-like patterns.
iv

Apply another layer of drywall mixture to thicken up your texture. If your drywall texture is non thick plenty, utilise some other layer using the technique of your choice to add depth.^[24]
5

Expect 24 hours for your drywall to dry. Smaller areas may accept less time to dry out, though waiting 1 total 24-hour interval ensures your drywall is completely dry.
vi

Finish your textured drywall with a layer of paint if you used it initially. ^[25] Pigment over your textured drywall one time it dries to match the color of your walls. Use 1 or 2 coats, as needed.^[26]

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1

Rent or buy a spray hopper from a abode repair store. Yous can rent these by the hour, by the day, or per calendar week.^[27]
2

Attach your spray gun to an air compressor. The air compressor will make your drywall mixture spray out of the spray nozzle, so connect it to the gun. Read the user manual for detailed instructions. It should hands fit into the back of the spray gun.
iii
Fill up the hopper with your drywall mixture. You lot tin pour the drywall mixture directly into the hopper. The amount doesn't accept to exist exact, though information technology is helpful to fill information technology shut to the top for a large area.^[28]
- For smaller repairs, just dump in a little bit.
4
Test your air pressure and aperture width to experiment with effects. Yous desire your air pressure to be around 25 to 45 PSI. Y'all can test this by spraying onto a scrap of wood, or a piece of cardboard. When you have achieved the look you want, brand a note of what PSI and discontinuity you used.^[29]
- Lower pressure will non spray the drywall mixture evenly, and higher force per unit area will make information technology difficult to command the amount sprayed.
- A large aperture will create large blobs, and a small discontinuity will create fine texture. Yous can accommodate this based on the look you are created. For example, you lot may want a small-scale aperture for creating the "orangish pare" look.
v
Spray a thin, even layer of drywall mix over acme the repair area. Concord in the trigger to release the drywall, and move your sprayer in a wide, sweeping motion. You desire to use a light touch and go back over with multiple layers, rather than applying too retrieve of a layer.
- If you pause also long in ane spot, you lot will create heavy deposits of drywall.
- You tin spray horizontally, from left to right, or vertically, from peak to bottom, based on the location of your drywall repair.
6
Add more layers of drywall based on your intended texture. Continue in listen that y'all are trying to utilize your texture as uniform as you can.^[xxx]
- Create an "orange peel" texture by gradually edifice upward layers to create a splotchy appearance.
- Make the "Splatter Knockdown" texture by using a spray gun with 2 tubes rather than just i. This will apply more than drywall at one time to build up the texture. And then, utilize a drywall knife to "knock downwardly" the drywall once it has prepare lightly.
- Add styrofoam to your drywall mud mixture to create a popcorn texture. Spray 1 thick, even layer using your spray hopper.^[31]
7

Let your drywall dry out for at to the lowest degree 24 hours. After 24 hours, your drywall should be thoroughly dry and ready for a coat of paint.
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Add a fresh coat of paint to cease your drywall if applicable. Paint over your textured drywall to friction match the colour of your walls. Apply i or 2 coats, equally needed.

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Can I utilise drywall chemical compound to make full in a hole in my wall?

Allen Lee
Home Comeback Specialist

Allen Lee is a Dwelling Comeback Specialist and the Possessor of Honest Lee Handyman Services, a licensed and insured handyman business organization servicing Sacramento, California, and surrounding areas. Working with homeowners and businesses to go their small repairs done in a timely and efficient manner, Honest Lee Handyman Services provides gutter and dryer vent cleaning along with fixture, contend, drywall, and toilet repairs.

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Things You'll Need

Sand paper
Drywall Mix
Water
5 US gal (nineteen L) bucket
Hopper gun, air compressor, and hose
Paintbrush
Primer
Knife

If you are new to drywall, accept your time with matching your consistency. Beginning by applying texture to a small area and examine information technology. Imagine how it will look dry, and apply more as needed.
At that place are countless tutorials online for repairing particular drywall textures. Take a look for some video tutorials to create unique textures if you however demand help.
Remove whatsoever lines between original and new textured drywall. You want the seam you create to look as minimal as y'all tin can.
Employ the same tools and method as used to create the original texture.^[32]
Apply the same consistency and thickness of drywall as the original texture.
Yous can build up your drywall texture in thin, even layers to match the thickness.
Aim to coat the least amount of existing drywall texture as y'all can. Instead of covering up all the texture you lot've already created, endeavor to merely repair the bare minimum of your initial texture.
Consider using painters tape to section off spaces.

The proper name of drywall texture varies by city and region. Drywall in i expanse may be referred to every bit one proper noun, only in another country it may have another name. For example, "Skip Trowel" is known equally "Hawk and Trowel in other locations.^[33]

About This Article

Article Summary X

To repair textured drywall, beginning past using a 5-gallon bucket to mix together 5 parts powdered drywall mix and 30 parts water. So, prep the damaged wall by sanding it with a piece of 100 to 120 dust sandpaper before applying the drywall compound with a knife or castor. In one case the compound is dry, sand information technology again to even out the layers, then paint on wall primer to requite your texture something to grip onto. When you're set up to repair the texture, water downwardly your drywall mixture until it's as sparse equally liquidy pancake batter, which volition make information technology easier to employ. If you have a skip trowel, Santa Atomic number 26, swirl, or rosebud texture on your wall, recreate those looks with drywall knives or brushes. For instance, angle your knife so the drywall will sideslip across the surface and leave backside a skip trowel texture. To larn more, like how to use a spray hopper to recreate textures, read on.

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