Throughout the skilled trades, many people struggle with finishing drywall and finishing concrete. In this article we will discuss some of the foundational concepts relevant to drywall repairs. By reading this, you will either have a better understanding of what you need to do in order to make your own wallboard and texture repairs or be better educated to hire and judge the quality of a contractor for your drywall project. There are numerous reasons why a home or business owner would be looking for drywall repairs. I adapted this article from one that I wrote back in 2008 when I had my own construction business. Prior composing my thoughts, I was getting a sandwich at a local eatery when I overheard a group of teenagers bragging about how they had just finished repairing the walls from a party that got out of hand. These teens were hoping that their parents wouldn't notice the drywall patches when they returned. I still wonder who was more surprised. My friends in property restoration know full well that doors are notorious for having a grudge against drywall. People have been known to poke, punch, or even fall through sheetrock at various stages of life.
A few facts about gypsum wallboard systems:
Regardless of the source of the damage to your drywall, you now have to decide whether it is worth spending your time to repair these areas or if you will hire someone else to complete the task for you. Whether you are doing the repairs yourself or discussing the cost with contractors, you may find these points helpful:
Once the damage has been cut out, the wallboard supported and installed, and the various coats of joint compound have been applied, the surface is ready for texture. Texturing a drywall repair adds another level of complexity. Wall textures vary from smooth, to lightly applied "orange peel", to heavy textures, knockdown applications, and many hand troweled variations. For the texture to blend, it often needs to be applied at least one foot (preferably more) beyond the furthest point of the joint compound layers. If you are a new contractor struggling to charge consistently for your drywall repairs, you may find this video to be helpful. Jon Isaacson, author of Be Intentional: Estimating, discusses some of the key line items for building up a drywall repair scope of work in Xactimate. If you are looking for drywall repairs or reconstruction after water and/or fire damage, please check out our friends at All American Restoration Services (AARES). AARES co-sponsors our live show, South Sound Connection which airs every Tuesday at 9am PST.
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AuthorJon Isaacson, The Intentional Restorer, is an 18 year veteran of the property restoration industry and a business coach through his organization The DYOJO. Archives
January 2021
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