How to Fix Sheet Rock

Most sheetrock repairs are inexpensive.

Sheetrock, which is also called drywall, is a standard building material used to construct walls and ceilings in many homes. Although it resists minor bumps, the walls will crack, dent or develop holes if impacted by heavy objects. An unsightly hole or crack in your sheetrock may be disheartening, but you can fix it with no professional help. Most sheetrock repairs are inexpensive and require only a quick trip to the hardware store for supplies.

Things You'll Need

• Utility knife
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Sheetrock
• 1/2-inch-long nails
• Hammer
• Cardboard (optional)
• Joint compound
• Putty knife
• 200-grit sandpaper
• Rag
• Paint

Instructions

1. Insert a utility knife into any holes and enlarge them unto a symmetrical square shape. Discard any pieces of drywall that you remove.

2. Measure the dimensions of the hole with a tape measure and transfer them to a new piece of sheetrock. Cut out the new sheetrock section using the utility knife.

3. Look inside the hole in the wall toe see if there is a wooden board, called a stud, behind it. If so, insert the new sheet rock section into the hole and nail it to the stud using 1/2-inch-long nails. If no stud is visible, glue a piece of thin cardboard to the top of the sheetrock patch that is 1 inch larger on all sides. Insert the patch into the hole with the cardboard on the outside of the wall.

4. Open a tub of joint compound and smooth it onto the entire perimeter of the patch using a putty knife. Mound the joint compound up slightly so that no cracks, seams or nails are visible.

5. Allow the joint compound to dry completely. Sand it down with a 200-grit sandpaper until you can run your hand over the wall and do not feel any lumps.

6. Wipe the wall with a rag to remove sanding dust and paint as desired to disguise the repair.

Tips & Warnings

• If the hole is less than 1/2 inch in diameter, simply fill it with the joint compound, allow it to dry and then sand the compound down to a smooth surface. You can also repair cracks in this manner.

• If nails have protruded out of the sheetrock, hammer them back in gently. Then insert another nail directly beside it for added strength. Cover the nail heads with joint compound, allow it to dry and sand to a smooth surface.

References

• Home Tips: How to Repair Drywall (Sheetrock)
• Home Addition Plus; Drywall Repair and How to Fix Sheetrock Holes in Walls; Mark J. Donovan