Drywall Repair, Ceiling Repair, and Miscellaneous Repairs in Northern Virginia
Most homes in the United States use drywall as a cost-effective indoor solution. Drywall is less messy and easier to install than conventional brick-and-mortar walling. Although you can add a few finishes and textures to the material, it is vulnerable to nail holes, dings and peeling from the tape used in covering the joints.
How to Tell if Your Drywall Needs to Be Replaced or Repaired
Holes
Tiny and medium-sized holes may be patched up, although the patching will always remain visible. If you see such holes, it is a sign that the panel needs to be replaced. The structural integrity of the plasterboard has already been compromised if you see many holes.
Cracks
Cracks are a sign of a misplaced seam. Although this can be fixed through patching, it won’t solve the structural problem of the drywall.
Water Damage
It is important to note that not all water damage will require the replacement of drywall panels. Sometimes the drywall may just be dried out depending on how big the damaged area is.
Splinters
Splintering is not very common because drywall is made of plaster and paper. But splintering can be experienced along edges and joints in cases where plywood panels have been used as substitutes.
Call us for a free estimate at 703-477-3827.
What Causes Drywall to Crack?
Normal settling over time: As your house gets older, you can expect normal wear and tear including minor settling. If settling occurs, you may see cracks over windows and doors. This happens because the foundation of the house appears to shift because of weather changes.
New buildings: You may also notice cracks if your house was built recently.
Fault taping of drywall: Sometimes the contractor may not be too keen when building a home. Drywall panels are normally joined at the seam during installation. Any small mistakes during the installation process can lead to cracks.
Foundation damage: Cracking can also be a result of a damaged foundation.
What Is Used to Repair Drywall?
Small holes in drywall are simple to fix. Use spackle or joint compound to fill the hole. If you’re using joint compound, buy it pre-mixed for small DIY jobs. Spackle may shrink as it dries in larger holes and may require an extra application. Joint compound may run out or bulge as it sets and will require sanding and a second application.
You must feather the repair area (gradually reduce the thickness outward) when applying the joint compound and in the sanding stage. Use a drywall patch that is slightly larger than the hole that needs to be repaired. You can purchase these at your local hardware store.
For large holes you will need a scrap piece of drywall, furring strips, joint tape, drywall screws, and joint compound. Large holes will need a professional hand.
How Quickly Can a Ceiling Be Repaired?
In traditional houses, ceilings used to be constructed using plaster and lath. But nowadays most builders use plasterboards. That’s why it is not hard to repair the small damaged areas of a ceiling board. It doesn’t take a lot of time to finish the work. Plaster and lath ceilings in aged houses usually crack because of wear and tear. Besides, the plaster may bulge and start breaking away from the laths.
Can I Repair Part of a Ceiling
In case the affected area is just a smaller part of the ceiling, then you can conduct the repair using a plasterboard patch with the help of dry-lining methods.
What to Do When You See Water Stains on Your Ceiling
The first step is to stabilize the area around the leak. Move valuables out of the area and then break out a bucket and tarp to catch and contain any water that’s built up behind the ceiling. Chances are your ceiling covering is drywall, which will absorb or disperse the water. Allow any affected materials to thoroughly dry becaus drywall can grow mold. Depending on the leak, this may involve simply touching up with a bit of Spackle and paint, or it might mean replacing and repainting the entire ceiling. Contact a professional if you need to replace the whole ceiling.
Can I See Drywall Patches Through Paint?
Yes, you can see drywall patches through paint. Patched areas are normally smooth and reflect light compared to other parts of the wall. Additionally, joint compounds that are unprinted absorb paint in a different way compared to other areas of the wall. This generally makes the drywall patches to be visible.
In general, most drywall damage cases can be repaired through a simple patch job. You need to be on the lookout for any water stains and damage.
Contact Paint the DMV today to get a drywall repair if you are seeing any of the above issues. Unfinished basements are a common repair/remodel that we have experience fixing. Paint the DMV has installed drywall, plastered it, and then painted it all so that everything is hidden. This makes it so that no one would have ever known that it wasn’t like this from the beginning. We are here for you!
Call us for a free estimate at 703-477-3827.
Leaks from ceilings are a common issue, but fixing it can be messy and complicated if you don’t have any experience working with plaster.
We were able to fix the hole on the left and match it with the existing texture so that you’d never know there was an issue there.
Paint The DMV LLC has over 20 years experience doing repair work in Northern Virginia. We pride ourselves on delivering quality work and would love to get together with you on your next repair project. Contact us here, or call us at 703-477-3827, to schedule a time for your free estimate.