Damaged drywall can be a real drag. While ambitious homeowners can repair drywall on their own, it’s more complicated than just throwing some joint compound into the damaged area and calling it a day. For the DIYer ready to tackle their damaged drywall, check out these helpful tools that make drywall repair easier. If you plan to repair the drywall yourself, you will need these tools.
Hawks and Mud Pans
A hawk refers to a large sheet of metal with a center handle. Mud pans are square pans with sharp edges for holding the drywall compound of choice. Professionals prefer hawks, so they tend to be a bit pricier than other options, but for most small at-home jobs, a mud pan works just as well. However, for big or recurring jobs, a hawk can help speed things along.
Knife
For plaster repair, you need some way of putting the mud onto the wall and smoothing it out. Using a drywall knife helps keep everything nice and even. Drywall knives can range from just two inches in length to over a foot. Make sure to choose the right size for the job you have.
Sandpaper
A proper drywall patch can’t happen without sandpaper. A sanding block will work well enough, but sanding pads work better. If you intend to work on parts of the wall that are higher up or on the ceiling, sanding boards are the best choice because you can extend them to the exact length you need.
Sanding Sponge
A sanding sponge is another helpful tool that makes drywall repair easier. Using one can make a big difference in the amount of work you have to do.
The process of sanding drywall kicks up a lot of dust. With a sanding sponge dampened with water, wipe away excess compound. This will keep dust to a minimum.
Corner Tools
Inner corners can be difficult to finish. By using corner tools, you can dramatically increase the speed at which you patch these tight areas. Since most repair jobs won’t require you to do much work in the corners, these tools usually aren’t necessary. But if you have corners that need fixing, corner tools are essential.
Tape
Finally, any large repairs will require tape. Manual tools will do the trick, but you can use automatic taping tools to make the taping process even easier. Tape prevents cracks from reappearing. This extra layer of repair can make the final result look better, especially if you follow up by covering holes with self-adhesive mesh.
