What this covers
Drywall repair covers everything from a doorknob hole to a ceiling section that sagged after a leak. The installer cuts the damaged area back to sound board, adds backing or a patch panel, screws in new board of the same thickness, tapes the joints and feathers compound out in widening coats so there is no hump. Cracks at seams and corners are cut open and retaped rather than filled. Where the wall has a texture, the installer matches it before priming. Water-stained board is checked for softness and replaced rather than painted over, since stains bleed through and damp board does not hold a finish.
When to call
- Holes from doorknobs, moved fixtures or furniture.
- Cracks that return at seams, corners or above doors after being filled.
- Stained, sagging or soft drywall below a roof leak or plumbing leak.
- Nail pops and loose tape showing through the paint.
- Sections removed to dry a wall after a water loss.
What to expect
- AssessThe installer finds the edge of the damage and checks for moisture or a cause that still needs fixing.
- Cut and patchDamaged board is cut back, backing added, and new board set to match the thickness.
- Tape and featherJoints are taped and compound feathered out in several coats, then sanded flush.
- Match and primeTexture is matched where there is one and the repair is primed for paint.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
Can a water stain just be painted over?
Not reliably. The board behind it is often soft, and stains bleed through ordinary paint. The company checks the board, replaces it if needed, and primes with a stain-blocking primer.
Why do the same cracks keep coming back?
Filling a crack does not fix the joint under it. The installer cuts it open, retapes it, and finishes it again so the joint can move without showing.
Will the repair show after painting?
A feathered, textured and primed repair is hard to find once the whole wall is painted. Spot-painting only the patch is more likely to show, because sheen and color age differently.
Related: Drywall installation · Plaster repair · Water damage restoration · All drywall and plaster
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.