Drywall repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What drywall repair is

Drywall repair patches holes, cracks and water damage in a wall or ceiling. A pro cuts out the damaged area, installs backing, tapes the seams, applies joint compound in coats, sands the patch and primes it for paint. People call after a doorknob goes through the wall, a leak stains the ceiling, or a crack keeps coming back.

Signs you need it

  • A hole the size of a fist or larger, from a doorknob, a chair or a shelf bracket
  • A bulge, soft spot or stain on a ceiling or wall that points to water damage
  • Cracks that run from the corners of doors and windows and return after you fill them
  • Tape or joint compound lifting or bubbling at a seam
  • Crumbling or powdery gypsum near a leak, a bathroom or an exterior wall
  • A wall that sounds hollow or flexes when you press on it

What the pro does

  • Assess the damage, find the studs and check the wall or ceiling for moisture before cutting
  • Cut the damaged drywall back to clean, solid edges, and add backing or new blocking where the edge will not hold
  • Patch the opening with a new piece of drywall or a repair patch, screwed to the backing
  • Tape the seams and apply joint compound in thin coats, letting each dry before the next
  • Sand the patch smooth and feather the edges into the surrounding wall
  • Prime the patch and check the surface under raking light before the finish paint

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Size of the hole or area and the number of patches
  • Ceiling versus wall, since overhead work takes longer to finish
  • Water damage, which may need the source fixed and the moisture dried out first
  • Texture matching, such as orange peel, knockdown or popcorn texture
  • Number of coats of compound and the finish level needed
  • Whether paint is included, or only the patch and prime

What a written quote should spell out

  • Location and size of each patch, and the total number of patches
  • Whether the backing or blocking is included, and the materials used
  • Whether texture matching and painting are included, and the finish level
  • Whether the water source must be fixed by a licensed trade before the patch
  • Warranty on the patch work, in writing

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you find the source of any water damage before you patch it?
  • Do you match the texture on my wall or ceiling?
  • How many coats of compound will you apply, and what finish level is that?
  • Will you prime the patch so the paint does not show it?
  • Do you cover the floors and furniture, and clean up the dust?
  • Will you check the patch with light before I paint?
  • What happens if the crack returns after the repair?

Red flags

  • A patch applied over a leak without checking or fixing the source
  • A patch with no backing or blocking behind a loose edge
  • Too few coats of compound, which show as sinks and ridges under paint
  • No priming before paint, which leaves the patch flashing
  • A quote that leaves out texture matching when the wall is textured

What you can do yourself

You can fill small nail holes and hairline cracks with spackle or a lightweight compound, sand them when dry, and prime before painting. Check the wall for moisture first. In an older home, ask a pro about testing old joint compound or texture before you sand it, since some older materials contain asbestos. Do not cut out larger sections near wiring, pipes or ducts until you know what is behind them; call a pro for water damage, large holes, ceiling repairs or any patch near a light, outlet or pipe.

Licenses and permits

Drywall repair is often not licensed as a trade in itself, but some areas require a contractor registration for paid work, and repairing a water source may need a licensed plumber. Check with your state or local licensing agency before you hire.

Drywall repair questions

Why does my drywall patch crack again?

A repeat crack often comes from movement in the framing, a patch without proper backing, or a seam that was not taped and coated properly. A pro checks the backing and the framing before the patch is redone.

Can you repair water-damaged drywall?

Yes, once the leak is fixed and the wall is dry. Damaged drywall is cut out and replaced, and any mold or rot in the framing is checked before patching.

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About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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