June, 2021 - The Drywall Specialist

What is Drywall?

Drywall has several different names, such as wallboard, gypsum board, or Sheetrock® Brand panels. It is made from a mineral called gypsum, which is naturally found in sedimentary rocks. To make drywall, processed gypsum is pressed between two sheets of thick paperboard backing.

Where is drywall used?

Drywall is only used on the interior walls of houses and buildings. It cannot be used for exterior applications, as it cannot stand up to outside weather. Drywall is an ideal interior building material, as it is fast to install, durable, and can be repaired with relative ease when damaged. Drywall is also great because of its fire-resistant properties—gypsum is non-combustible and does not burn easily.

Why is drywall called drywall?

Before drywall, plaster was the prevailing method of building walls. The material was installed wet and took an extremely long time to dry. Each layer needed to dry completely before the next one could be added. This made the process long and arduous. The name “drywall” came about to differentiate the new product from plaster, because unlike plaster, drywall installations do not need water.

When walls were plastered, other construction often had to stop until the walls were completely dry. When drywall entered the construction industry, wall installations became faster. Plaster soon became obsolete. Note: In certain parts of the country, such as Massachusetts, plaster is still used in wall construction.

Why is drywall sometimes called Sheetrock?

Sheetrock is a registered trademark of the USG Corporation for their brand of drywall panels. A couple of chemicals allow the Sheetrock formula to be patented. Otherwise, there is almost no difference between Sheetrock and other drywall panels. They all can be used for wall and ceiling installations.

How big a drywall repair can I handle myself?

Not all drywall damage requires expert help. As a general rule, any damage under 6 inches can be a DIY repair, following the steps in our Drywall Repair article. However, larger holes need the expertise of a professional, who has all the necessary tools, including an electronic stud finder, drywall saw, and inside corner knife.

Can damaged drywall be recycled once it has been removed?

Yes, it usually can. You may have to do a little research online to find a recycling transfer station in your area that will accept it, especially if it contains asbestos. Note that moldy drywall cannot be recycled and should be handled and disposed of with care. We advise that you wear rubber gloves, eye goggles, and a respirator during removal. Mold-damaged drywall should always be placed in well-sealed plastic bags before disposal.

Is it Better to Repair or Replace Drywall?

The walls inside most homes are constructed with drywall and not plaster. Drywall is vulnerable to cracks, dents, and holes. There is no doubt that an accident will occur at some point, leaving you with the task of patching a hole in your drywall. But unless your home has unpredictable construction (as many older homes do), you can repair small dings and dents yourself.

Use this rule of thumb to determine whether to call an expert. Small straightforward holes (six inches or less) can probably be self-repaired. But when drywall damage is more severe, enlist the expertise of a professional taper.

Drywall holes are unsightly. But they can get even worse if left untreated. If you experience a dent or hole in your wall, it is best to repair it as soon as possible. Use the steps below to repair small holes.

How to Repair a Small Dent in Your Drywall

Use a scraper tool to scrape away loose debris (paint, etc.).

Apply a lightweight spackle over the dent with a joint knife and let it dry. It will take several hours to fully dry.

Sand the area you spackled.

Apply a second coat of spackle over the first coat and let that second coat completely dry.

Sand the area once again until completely smooth.

Apply a third coat of spackle over the second coat and let that third coat fully dry.

Sand the area a third time until completely smooth.

You are now ready to re-paint the wall.

How to Repair a Popped Nail Head

If you have driven a nail into a wall and it has popped out, you can follow these steps to repair it:

Drive in a drywall screw about 1-1/2 inches above or below the popped nail to stabilize the drywall.

Drive in the popped nail.

Apply a thin layer of spackle over the nail and the screw and allow it to dry completely.

Lightly sand the area.

You are now ready to re-paint the smooth, repaired wall. Once painted, your wall will be in the condition it was in before the damage occurred, and no one will be the wiser.

Spackle or Joint Compound?

Spackle is most often used as a filler. It works best on holes that do not completely penetrate through a wall. In general, spackle is lighter in consistency and better suited to smaller holes. For larger holes, use joint compound as its properties are stronger and will hold up better to the task at hand.

When to Call in the Experts

Patch jobs require exact precision in cutting cleanly around the damage and replacing it with a new piece of drywall. You may also need to purchase extra tools for the job. If your drywall damage exceeds six inches or involves a patch job (a drywall piece cut out and fit into the existing wall), you may prefer to call an expert.