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Real Estate News Releases
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(EMAILWIRE.COM, February 27, 2012 ) Detroit, MI -- Damaged drywall is a common problem. Hiring a drywall contractor can be costly for any Michigan homeowner. At a meeting of the National Real Estate Network, Mike DeLuca, a painting and drywall contractor from Golden Touch Painting and Drywall provided several tips for homeowners who attempt to do their own repairs.
Mike Began by explaining, “Patching drywall looks simple, but a truly seamless repair takes considerable skill and care. Any irregularities due to excess compound, fasteners, tears in the drywall covering, or uneven joints can show up when it's too late, after you’ve painted.”
Mike listed all of the tools and materials needed. A pencil, carpenter's square, drywall saw, drywall tape, drywall compound, mud pan, 6 inch mud knife, 10 inch mud knife, 12 inch mud knife, 100-grit sandpaper, sanding block, sharp utility knife, drill, drywall screws, a few pieces of 1 x 4 scrap wood, vacuum, drop clothes, and plastic to cover any close by furniture.
The first step to fixing the damaged drywall is to cut out a patch piece that is a few inches larger than the hole that youÂ’re repairing. Mike explained that you can pick up a 2' x 2' piece of drywall at your local home improvement store; it may be large enough for repairs and won't leave behind a lot of unused drywall material. Get the same thickness drywall that you are repairing.
Next to ensure a tight-fitting patch, use the patch itself as a template! Cut your new piece of drywall to the size you measured, making sure your cuts are straight using a drywall square or carpenters square. Place and hold the new piece of drywall that you just cut over the damaged area that youÂ’re going to fix and trace the shape of it onto the wall with a pencil.
Now youÂ’re ready to cut out the damaged drywall area, take a second to make sure your area has no electrical wiring before making any cuts. Cut away the damaged area along the lines you have traced using a drywall saw and utility knife.
Next you want to install the scrap pieces of wood behind the drywall opening, and securely attach your new piece of drywall to them. Make sure to slightly sink the head of your screws into the drywall.
Now you can install your new piece of drywall into the cut out area. Use drywall screws to secure the new piece of drywall to the wood you just installed. Again make sure to slightly sink the head of your screws into the drywall. This makes it easier to cover them with the coats of mud that youÂ’re about to apply over it.
Next use the drywall tape to cover the drywall seams. Mike shared “If you’re not experienced with applying mud to drywall then I would suggest using self-adhering drywall tape. Self-adhering nylon mesh tape makes taping a bit easier than using paper tape.” Apply the mesh tape over the drywall seams. Make sure that you apply the tape smoothly and securely with no wrinkles in it.
Next apply the all purpose drywall compound over the tape. This is called the bed coat. Before applying it, mix the all purpose joint compound for a few minutes to get a smooth consistency. Use a10 inch mud knife to apply this coat of the joint compound. When applying the mud, keep it just thick enough to cover the mesh tape and you want the mud to expand about 4 inches out from each side of the center of the tape. When youÂ’re finished you want the mud to be even, as smooth as possible and you want to feather out the edges of the mud making it tight against the drywall.
Allow compound to completely dry between coats. The compound will turn white when itÂ’s completely dry. Once dry, use a clean 6 in mudding knife to gently scrape and knock down any ridges or bubbles.
The next step is to apply the 2nd coat of mud. This coat is called a skim coat. Make sure your mud pan is completely clean each time before applying coats of mud. Apply this coat slightly wider than the previous one using a 10" mudding knife again. Feather the edges of the mud out so they appear flat against the drywall and make the mud as smooth as possible. Once dry, scrape the surface to remove burrs and high spots.
Now you can apply the final coat, also called the finish coat. Apply your third coat, again wider than your previous coat of mud using a 12" mud knife and using the same techniques as explained before, applying it even, smooth, and feathering out the edges.
“Now you’re to the final step, all that’s left to do is sand, which is around step 10 if you were counting,” Mike said with a grin. Gently sand it until it’s smooth and even. Now you’re finished and ready to prime and repaint the wall!
When asked why he tells people how to do what he gets paid to do, Mike said, “I would rather see the job done right than have to come in and repair a botched drywall repair job later. It’s easier to fix it right the first time. If the repair is easy enough for the homeowner to do it themselves, then I can spend my time where I’m most needed.”
Golden Touch Painting and Drywall can provide quality painters and drywall services for you in the following communities:
Oakland County Michigan, Farmington, Farmington Hills Livonia, Novi , Bloomfield Hills, and West Bloomfield.
About Golden Touch Painting and Drywall
As an accomplished West Bloomfield Drywall company, Golden Touch Painting and Drywall has been providing quality services to West Bloomfield and the Detroit metro area for over 15 years. Our West Bloomfield drywall and painting team has collective knowledge, experience and they strive to provide exemplary quality and performance for any drywall projects or painting projects to meet your time line and your budget! We strive to provide a satisfying customer experience and special care to any historical buildings, your home or place of business when itÂ’s in need of restoration or remodeling to help communities remain structurally sound and pleasing to the eye!
Golden Touch Painting and Drywall
Mike
(248) 787-0963
Goldentouchpainter@gmail.com 
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