Drywall is one of those things in a home that many people ignore – until it needs major repair or replacement. What does “feeling” the wall mean? You will read the term “feathering” often, so perhaps it deserves more explanation. After all, many drywall repairs are much higher than the drywall around them.
For instance, drywall joint compound, a thick, durable paper that is also used to disguise and reinforce joints in repairs, has very little depth. When sanded, it can easily scrape away from the underlying drywall. Thus, if joint compound is not applied correctly, it can result in an ugly mishmash of pebbles and flecks that doesn’t look very professional.
One of the best ways to ensure a drywall repair is to make sure that the repair is done carefully, and properly. The easiest way to repair drywall is to make a “smooth” area on the surface with a putty knife or drywall anchor and then smooth out the rough area. Most homeowners find that using a putty knife or drywall anchors makes the job go more smoothly and quickly, and reduces the chance of having cracks or gouges in the wall.
Some homeowners choose to repair damaged drywall on their own. They use high-quality wood filler to fill in holes, sand the area, and then nail everything back together. While this may work well for some situations, many drywall experts caution against this option. Doing drywall repair on your own can result in uneven wall surface and uneven nails.
In addition, repairing damaged drywall on your own can void the warranty on the drywall product itself. Sometimes the damage is so severe that the house must be torn down in order to repair it. The cost of tearing the house down can be quite high. When there are cracks or gouges in the drywall, it may not be practical to take it down just yet. In these cases, homeowners may want to consider calling in a professional.
Most drywall experts recommend avoiding drywall repair process if there is visible damage to the wall. If the damage is not readily apparent, it is best to just replace the damaged drywall. The cost of replacing the drywall can be greatly less than the repair cost. This makes the repair process an added expense that most homeowners do not want to have to deal with.