If your home has inset drywall shelves and one or more has become damaged with a small or large hole, you don't have to hire a drywall contractor or professional carpenter to fix the hole. Drywall is simple to work with and unlike plaster, does not require years of practice to install or patch when damaged. You can fill or patch the inset drywall shelf hole on your own, using a few tools and materials. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Repairing Small Holes
1. Clear everything off the inset drywall shelf so you have ample room to work.
2. Clean the shelf with a duster, followed by furniture cleaner and a cloth.
3. Fill the small hole with joint compound, using a putty knife to fill the hole, then spread and smooth the joint compound. Let the joint compound dry as long as directed by the manufacturer.
4. Sand the joint compound filler to make it flush with the rest of the shelf surface. Wipe down with a tackcloth.
5. Apply a coat of primer with a paintbrush, allow to dry, then paint with a matching-colored paint.
Repairing Large Holes
6. Empty the shelf and square the hole in the drywall inset shelf with a drywall saw to expose the shelf frame.
7. Measure the cut-out square with a tape measure. Mark a drywall panel with like measurements on both sides, using a pencil, then score the cut lines on both sides with a utility knife.
8. Snap off the excess drywall from the scored panel. Set the cut-to-fit drywall into the cut-out square and fasten to the shelf frame with drywall screws and a screw gun.
9. Tape around the edges of the square patch with drywall tape, then spread joint compound over the entire patch with a putty knife. Allow the joint compound to dry, then sand it smooth with medium-grit sandpaper.
10. Prime the patch with interior paint primer, using a brush, let the primer dry and then paint over the primer with a paint of matching color.
Tags: joint compound, inset drywall, patch with, with drywall, both sides
