Owning often involves small maintenance and repair projects. Here’s how to fix a crack in a drywall wall quickly and with a few basic materials.
How to patch and repair a drywall wall crack?
First, buy some joint compound . I suggest you some “premixed” compound that is sold in hardware stores and home improvement centers. To repair a crack, do not use a sealer or filler.
With the aid of triangular scraper , cut a 0.64 to 0.32 cm (14 to 1⁄8 inch) V-notch along the crack. The “V” shape will help hold the compound in place.
Remove dust from the crack by brushing it with a paintbrush or using a small hand vacuum.
Apply coats of joint compound to the crack. Use a 7.6-10.2 cm (3-4 inch) putty knife. Allow the compound to dry completely between coats. Apply as many coats as needed to fill the crack. The average is 3 layers.
How long do you have to wait between coats?
Wait a day between each coat. It can take up to 24 hours for the first coat of premixed compound to dry, especially if it is thick.
Thinner coats are ideal because they are easier to sand to fit the wall when dry.
Do I need paper mesh or tape?
If the crack depth is more than 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm), you may need to press a strip of mesh or paper tape while applying the first coat of compound (before it does not dry out). This will seal the crack better.
How to finalize the repair of the crack?
Sanding
Sand the dried joint compound with medium grit sandpaper. Use a sanding block to smooth so that it is as flat as the wall. Always wear a dust mask when sanding to avoid inhaling particles. 80 grit (medium grit) sandpaper can remove larger bumps, while 120 grit (finer) can be used for finishes.
Sanding between coats will prevent you from having to sand a lot at the end.
Painting
Paint the crack with a latex primer followed by wall paint. If you don’t use primer first, your patched area won’t blend well with the rest of the wall.
On the other hand, if you used an all-in-one paint and primer, you only need one or two coats of paint directly on the affected area. This is the exception to the rule.
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