Complete Drywall Installation & Repair Guide
Master drywall installation and repair with professional techniques. Learn to handle everything from small holes to full room installations.
Quick Overview
DIY Small Repairs
$10-30 per repair
Time Required
2-4 hours per repair
Difficulty
Easy to Advanced
Types of Drywall Repairs
DIY-Friendly Repairs
- Small nail holes: Use spackling paste and sand smooth
- Screw holes: Fill with compound, sand, and paint
- Small cracks: Apply mesh tape and joint compound
- Corner damage: Minor corner bead repairs
Professional Recommended
- Large holes: Holes larger than 6 inches
- Water damage: Extensive damage requiring replacement
- Ceiling repairs: Overhead work and texture matching
- Full room installation: New construction or additions
Essential Tools and Materials
Basic Repair Tools
- • Putty knife (4" and 6")
- • Sandpaper (120 and 220 grit)
- • Utility knife
- • Measuring tape
- • Pencil for marking
- • Drop cloths
- • Dust mask
Materials
- • Joint compound (lightweight)
- • Spackling paste for small holes
- • Mesh or paper tape
- • Primer and paint
- • Drywall screws
- • Drywall sheets (if needed)
Step-by-Step Repair Guide
Small Holes (Nail/Screw Holes)
- Clean out any loose debris from the hole
- Apply spackling paste with putty knife
- Smooth surface, slightly overfilling the hole
- Let dry completely (2-4 hours)
- Sand smooth with 220-grit sandpaper
- Prime and paint to match surrounding area
Medium Holes (1-6 inches)
- Cut a piece of drywall slightly larger than the hole
- Trace around the patch on the wall
- Cut out the traced area with utility knife
- Insert patch and secure with drywall screws
- Apply mesh tape around edges
- Apply joint compound in thin layers
- Sand between coats, apply 2-3 coats total
- Prime and paint
Cracks in Drywall
- Clean out any loose material from crack
- Apply mesh tape over the crack
- Cover with thin layer of joint compound
- Let dry and sand lightly
- Apply second coat, feathering edges
- Sand smooth when dry
- Prime and paint
Texture Matching
Texture Challenge
Matching existing wall texture is often the most challenging part of drywall repair. Consider hiring a professional for textured walls.
Common Texture Types
- Orange Peel: Light texture created with spray gun or roller
- Knockdown: Orange peel texture that's been lightly flattened
- Popcorn: Heavy textured ceiling (often contains asbestos in older homes)
- Smooth: No texture, requires perfect finishing
Common DIY Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying compound too thick: Multiple thin coats work better than one thick coat
- Not sanding between coats: Each coat should be smooth before applying the next
- Skipping primer: Always prime repaired areas before painting
- Rushing the drying process: Let each coat dry completely
Cost Analysis
| Repair Type | DIY Cost | Professional Cost | Time Investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small holes (5-10) | $15-25 | $100-200 | 2-3 hours |
| Medium hole repair | $30-50 | $150-300 | 4-6 hours |
| Room texture repair | $50-100 | $300-600 | 1-2 days |
| Full room drywall | $200-500 | $800-1,500 | 3-5 days |
When to Call Professional Drywall Contractors
Definitely Hire a Pro
- • Water damage with potential mold
- • Structural damage or sagging
- • Asbestos-containing materials
- • Full room installations
- • Complex texture matching
- • Ceiling work (safety concern)
Professional Benefits
- • Perfect texture matching
- • Faster completion time
- • Professional tools and materials
- • Warranty on workmanship
- • Proper disposal of materials
- • Insurance coverage
Ready to Get Started?
Don't want to tackle this project yourself? Our experienced team can handle your drywall project with professional results and guaranteed satisfaction.