Drywall Repair Tulsa, OK: What Homeowners Should Know

Drywall, also known as Sheetrock and wallboard, is a very popular construction material. Not only is it lightweight, fire-resistant and inexpensive, but it also leaves a smooth finish that looks great in any home once painted. However, there are a few drawbacks to drywall that result in the need for drywall repair in Tulsa.

Drywall can be easily damaged from water, accidents and general wear and tear. The longer you live in your home the more likely you’ll have to hire professional drywall repair services in Tulsa. From accidents caused by roughhousing children to seeping water that's caused your Sheetrock to get too soft, dents, cracks and holes all need to be fixed right away.

While drywall is easily damaged, the good news is that drywall repair in Tulsa is relatively straightforward when completed by a practiced technician. Our team of Tulsa handyman professionals are such practiced technicians. Highly skilled, each of our technicians is able to expertly replace and patch your walls—you won’t even notice where the damage was to begin with.

In this blog post we’ll outline some common causes of damage in Tulsa and why it’s important to repair damaged walls as soon as possible. For those of you who enjoy tackling home improvement projects, we’ll also cover the basic steps for DIY drywall repair. However, if DIY home improvement tasks are not up your alley, then put your faith in our experts at Mr. Handyman of Greater Tulsa. We offer a range of professional services, including drywall repair in Tulsa, and are always happy to lend a hand.

What Causes Wallboard Damage?

To properly repair drywall damage, it's helpful to understand what caused the problem to begin with. Sometimes, the reason you have a hole in the wall might be obvious. For instance, you were moving furniture and watched the bookshelf fall into the wall, or you have nail holes from pictures that you’ve taken down. Yet, some causes of cracks, dents and water stains in Tulsa might not always be obvious. Any of the following issues can damage wallboard:

Regular wear and tear. Life happens. Doors slam into the wall, children throw baseballs indoors, and hanging pictures can go horribly wrong. And when life happens in Tulsa, sometimes it means you need Tulsa drywall repair services.
Settling homes. It’s natural for your house to settle deeper as time goes on, because the earth surrounding it erodes and shifts. Yet, those shifts can crack your Sheetrock.
Holes from drywall anchors. Heavy items such as TVs, large paintings or shelving units may need anchors to stay secured to the wall. When these anchors are removed, they leave holes behind. It’s important to fill these holes as soon as possible because they weaken the drywall's structural integrity.
Moisture. Poor ventilation, burst pipes, flooding or improper drainage in your home increases the amount of moisture infiltrating your walls. This moisture causes sagging, staining and even bacteria growth, such as mold and mildew. In a serious situation, it may cause wood rot to spread throughout the entire wall and into your home's frame.

Why is Drywall Repair Important?

Even the smallest cracks will get worse if not repaired promptly, although many homeowners in Tulsa put off this important repair job. It's also important to note that sometimes issues with your Sheetrock could be a sign of a bigger issue in your home. A small water stain might actually be evidence of a leaking pipe or insufficient ventilation in your bathroom. Ignoring the issue as a "future problem" is not good enough. There are many reasons why it’s important to hire a professional drywall repair service as soon as you notice an issue.

Keep Your Walls Looking Their Best With Repairs

Sheetrock that is structurally sound keeps your family safe and plays a role in preventing weather and pests from damaging your home—as we'll get into below. While safety always comes first, what your home looks like is important too.

Damaged drywall shows up in your paint job; and nothing spoils a beautiful wall like an unsightly hole or crack marring its otherwise perfect surface. Repairing cracked, chipped and dented drywall as soon as you notice a problem keeps your walls looking smooth and beautiful.

Get Rid of Water Damage

In addition to being lighter than other building materials, drywall is also more porous. This means that when it's exposed to a high moisture content, bacteria like mold and mildew can grow. Since the material has a more porous nature, mold and mildew can hide in its nooks and crannies. Even if you scrub mold-ridden walls with bleach, it's almost impossible to get rid of this bacteria. Once damaged by moisture or humidity, it needs to be replaced immediately.

If you don’t replace damp Sheetrock as soon as possible, there’s a risk that mold and mildew can spread to other parts of your Tulsa home. This will negatively impact your family’s health. Damp, mushy or soggy drywall can also cause the non-supportive part of your home’s walls to collapse. Although structurally your home will remain upright, a caved-in wall can still pose a serious safety hazard—and is highly unpleasant to be around. There are certain steps you should take if you notice signs of water damage:

Find where the water is coming from. A leaking pipe, flooding from a clogged gutter, poorly ventilated bathrooms or improperly sealed windows/doors can all cause water damage.
Fix the cause. There is no point in replacing your damp drywall until the water damage’s cause has been repaired—otherwise you’ll only have created a temporary solution. In enough time, the replaced Sheetrock will also get damaged.
Clean surrounding areas. Any wet areas will need to be replaced. But, you’ll still need to thoroughly clean up puddles on the floor, wet furniture and soggy carpets. Use a house fan and/or open the windows to properly dry-out wet areas.
Call our expert team. Once the source of water damage has been dealt with and you’re ready to hire Tulsa drywall repair services, trust the pros at Mr. Handyman of Greater Tulsa to get the job done right the first time. Our experts will professionally install new drywall so you don’t have to worry about further damage or mold growth.

Keep the Elements Outside With Prompt Repairs

Living in Tulsa means you’re well acquainted with warm summers and chilly winters. Although both warm and cool weather is enjoyable outside, it’s not ideal within your home. Drywall is not insulation, however, it does help keep your home comfortable by:

Maintaining interior temperatures. Drywall does not actively insulate your home, but it can still affect your home’s interior temperature. Cracks or holes let warm or cold air into your property. Excess warm/cool air can negatively impact your HVAC system's efficiency.
Preventing moisture damage. Drywall acts like an additional barrier to elements like wind, rain, snow and even sunshine. When that barrier is compromised, moisture and humidity can seep into your space and wreak havoc on your interior.
Keeping pests out. Mice, rats and ants looking for shelter or food will happily set up shop in your Tulsa home, and will take advantage of any cracks or holes to do so. Keep them out with prompt Tulsa drywall repair.

Repairs are Necessary Over Time

Sheetrock is made out of two paper boards that sandwich a layer of gypsum (which is a powdery white sulfate mineral). It was invented in 1916 to replace heavier and more expensive materials like plaster or wood. Since gypsum is non-combustible and much lighter than other materials, it's an ideal choice for residential and commercial buildings alike. But this beneficial construction also means it's more likely to get damaged. Thus, it will need repairing, or even replacing, as time goes on.

Drywall Repair Tulsa, OK: DIY Steps

At Mr. Handyman of Greater Tulsa, we know that some homeowners in our community like to take on DIY repairs. If that sounds like you, read on to learn the basic steps for patching Sheetrock on your own.

Tools and Materials

Tape measure
Stud finder
Carpenter squares
Scrap lumber
Plywood
Sheetrock panels
Sheetrock screws
Joint tape
Joint compound
Sandpaper
Sander
Drywall saw
Dust mask
Paintbrush
Screw gun
Taping knife or putty knife
Utility knife or hand saw

1. Outline Damaged Area

Grab a carpenter’s square and a pencil. Draw a straight line at least an inch above and below where your patch will be.
Use a stud finder. Mark the nearest studs on either side of the hole.
Connect the right and left studs with your top and bottom marks to make a rectangle.

2. Cut Out Your Patch

Use a saw blade or a utility knife. Cut along your outline. Carefully trace over the lines multiple times with your utility knife for a cleaner cut.
Each time you hit a stud, measure an additional 3/4” in and mark this point to find its center.
Your patch should overlap with each stud slightly to ensure it's properly supported.
Carefully remove the piece of Sheetrock.

3. Cut Your Support and Put It Into the Wall

Cut your scrap lumber into a 1” X 3” piece, or a 3/4" piece of plywood to approximately 2” longer than your patch's height. This will form your support.
Place the support into the wall vertically.
Screw-in at top and bottom.

4. Cut Your Patch

Measure your piece of Sheetrock so it fits the patch's size.
Grab a drywall knife and carpenter's square. Cut the patch and ensure its edges are straight.

5. Install Your Patch

Place your patch into the hole.
Place screws about 1” away from each edge to prevent cracking
Use a drill to screw your patch into place at the top and bottom.
Then secure it in place by screwing it into the studs at each corner.

6. Finish Patching

Frame your patch with self-adhesive fiberglass drywall tape. The patch's seams should be in the center of the tape.
Use a 6” drywall taping knife to spread drywall joint compound across your patch tape. This will create a smooth, flat surface.
Let everything dry overnight.
The next day, sand until smooth.
Apply a second coat of joint compound across the patch.
Let the second coat dry overnight.
Sand carefully. At this time you may choose to put a third coat on the following day. If so, let it dry overnight.
Sand the final coat of compound.
Wipe clean with a tack cloth.
Paint over your patch. A good paint job creates flawless walls.

Why Hire Professional Services for Drywall Repair in Tulsa?

If you're DIY inclined, we hope the guide above gives you the informed steps you need to tackle patching drywall on your own. However, if you’d prefer the job gets done right the first time, hire our pros at Mr. Handyman of Greater Tulsa. We can assist with a variety of home improvements, including a range of Tulsa drywall repairs.

Home renovation installation. If you're completing renovations in Tulsa that involve knocking down or building walls, we can take care of that. We’ll be transparent with you through every step of the renovation process, stick to schedule as much as possible, and work with you to bring your unique vision to life.
Repairing flood damage/burst pipe damage. When a burst pipe damages your walls or your basement floods, it can feel overwhelming while trying to get everything back to normal. We’ll be there to get rid of damaged drywall in Tulsa, install new sheets efficiently and clean up the resulting mess. At all times, we'll maintain our dedication to excellent craftsmanship.
Fixing cracks and holes. First, our team will assess the severity of damage. Then, we’ll provide a solution for a long-term fix—whether that involves patching a small hole or replacing an entire sheet.
Painting services. Our team will see your Tulsa drywall repairs through from beginning to end, including expertly painting over the patch. We’ll give your walls a smooth, elegant finish.
Smoothing ceiling texture. Do you live in an older house and have always disliked your popcorn ceiling? Or maybe you want to switch up your home's style? Our team can smooth out your ceiling to give your home a more updated look.

Call the Experts for Drywall Repair in Tulsa!

From troublesome water stains to hairline cracks and dents in your drywall, trust the team at Mr. Handyman of Greater Tulsa to repair the damage professionally and efficiently. Give the house you love the best care possible by hiring our expert Tulsa drywall repair team today.

To get started, we invite you to call our courteous customer service representatives at 918-876-4645. We provide a wide range of services, from drywall repair to pressure washing, for many nearby communities, such as Bixby, Broken Arrow and Jenks.