One commonly occurring problem for many property owners is cracking drywall. These breaks can be an eyesore and cause problems when you decide to repaint. Whether you’re doing the painting yourself or you’ve hired a professional painting company to paint your home or property, it’s important to patch a drywall crack before you start for a more polished look.
If you’re curious about how to conduct a crack repair before painting, you’ve come to the right place. Follow these simple steps to patch your drywall crack. When you’re done, you’ll forget they were ever there. Before you start your repairs, you’ll want to examine the size of the drywall crack and then pick up a few supplies.
Supplies You’ll Need:
- X-Acto knife, screwdriver, or blade
- Spackling (for smaller breaks) or drywall joint compound (for larger breaks)
- Putty knife
- Mesh drywall tape or paper tape (for larger fractures)
- Fine grit sandpaper or sanding block
- Tack cloth
How to Fix It:
If the crack you’re trying to fix is located near any windows or doors, apply masking tape to the top of the frame to protect it.
Assess the size of the crack. If the crack is small, you should use a sharp, skinny object such as an X-Acto knife or screwdriver to open up the crack until you’re down to the drywall. This is important because it allows space for you to fill the crack. If the crack is large enough that you can see the exposed drywall, then proceed to the next step.
Next, remove excess paint, dirt, drywall, and dust from the inside and edges of the crack. You can use a vacuum cleaner extension or a cloth for this.
Depending on the size of the crack, you can choose between spackling and drywall joint compound to patch the hole. Spackling is best used for small fractures or holes in drywall. It has a paste-like consistency and comes ready to use. Drywall joint compound, on the other hand, is best used for larger fractures because of its durability and plaster-like consistency.
Once you’ve chosen your filler, use a putty tool to apply it to the crack. Take care to fill in the crack completely.
For small cracks:
One coat of spackling or drywall joint compound should do the trick. Make sure you apply it evenly so that the patch won’t show under a fresh coat..
For large cracks:
To reinforce the repair, you can use fiberglass mesh drywall tape or paper tape. Paper tape is the stronger option, but mesh tape is easier to apply. If you plan to use paper tape, apply ⅛ of an inch of the filler, wait for it to dry, then apply the drywall tape. If you plan to use fiberglass mesh tape, apply the tape first, then use the filler to fill in the crack through the mesh. Apply several coats of dry wall joint compound. Make sure that you apply it evenly, and feather the compound at the edges by applying pressure to the edge of the knife. Even application is important because it ensures that your patch will be nearly undetectable under a fresh coat of paint.
Let the patchwork dry completely. This could take several hours.
Then, scrape the area with your putty knife to take off all the ridges and bumps. Once you’ve made sure the area is bump-free, use a sanding block or sandpaper to smooth the surface. Finally, use a tack cloth to wipe away the remaining debris.
Now you’re ready to paint! Make sure to use a primer first to completely cover the repair. If you don’t prime the patch thoroughly, the paint will have a slightly different gloss than the rest of the wall. This is called flashing and it’s easily noticeable in bright light. Wait for the primer to dry, then go ahead and apply your paint. Note: You can simply paint over hairline drywall cracks.
How did the Cracks Get There?
Cracked drywall is fairly common and mostly unavoidable. They generally occur at the seam where two pieces of drywall meet, or near doors or windows, as a result of stress. The best way to stop these breaks from forming is good drywall installation, but oftentimes even that won’t prevent them.
There are two common reasons that these fractures appear:
The first is foundation settling. This refers to the natural changes that take place in the foundation of your home over time due to several environmental factors. The resulting cracks are small and do not grow over time. These fractures are nothing to be concerned about, and they don’t indicate any serious foundation issues.
The second reason is a problem with your foundation, whether it has shrunk or expanded. These structural issues produce large breaks with a 3/16 inch or wider gap. Fractures caused by foundation issues are commonly jagged and occur horizontally or at a 45-degree angle. If you see cracks like this in your home, you should call an experienced professional to examine your foundation for structural issues.
You might also like: Causes of Foundation Problems
Now that you know how to repair cracks in walls before painting, your walls should look as good as new. If you think cracks in your drywall may indicate a serious foundation problem, our experienced professionals at Granite Foundation Repair can help. Call us today to find out more about our free foundation inspection.
The following article was provided by Pro Painters Company, a commercial painting contractor. They also offer a wide array of solutions including residential painting, exterior painting, interior painting, and more.