6 DIY Drywall Mistakes You Could Be Making

Are you considering taking on some drywall repair projects yourself? Before you do, check out our list of six drywall mistakes that homeowners often make. These mistakes can cost time and money in the long run, so it’s best to avoid them from the start. Who knows, maybe after reading this blog post, you’ll decide it’s better to leave the drywall repairs to the professionals! Either way, we hope you find this information helpful. Happy repairing!

1. Not Measuring the Wall Before Cutting the Drywall

Failing to measure the wall before cutting drywall is a common mistake that is made when attempting DIY repairs. Not only could this result in an ill-fitting piece of drywall, but it can also be extremely time-consuming and expensive to fix. To avoid these problems, you should always measure the wall accurately before cutting and mark any measurements with a pencil or marker. Taking these small steps can help prevent large missteps in your drywall project!

2. Cutting the Drywall Too Small

Making minor home repairs like drywall isn’t an easy task. One slip-up and you could have a weakened structure and/or a botched repair job that looks worse than it did before. One common mistake people make when working on their own drywall projects is to cut it too small. A piece of drywall that’s too small won’t quite fit into the desired space, which could make you feel like you overshot the measurements or rushed the process. If you find yourself in this situation, take solace in the fact that this is a common mistake! Take your time and measure twice—you don’t want to be stuck making two trips to get the right size drywall sheet.

3. Not Using a Level When Installing the Drywall

Missing out on a key tool like a level when installing drywall is a mistake you should avoid. Installing your drywall without using a level will make your walls look messy and can lead to structural damage that can be expensive and inconvenient to fix. Executing DIY repairs with precision is key, so don’t forget the level! It only takes a few seconds to double-check that your walls are straight, and doing this extra step can save you from bigger headaches in the future.

4. Hanging the Drywall Upside Down

Hanging drywall upside down is a common mistake made by DIY homeowners when attempting to repair their drywall. This affects the overall look of the job and reduces its strength and durability, resulting in weak, easy-to-damage walls.

Luckily, avoiding this mistake is easy: simply make sure your plasterboard’s paper memory is facing upwards. It should have “Up” marked on it for reference. As long as you keep an eye out for this minor detail, you’ll be good to go.

5. Applying Too Much Joint Compound

One common mistake made by DIYers when it comes to repairing drywall is over-applying joint compound. Too much joint compound can be a costly mistake, as it can add extra weight to the wall and make it difficult for the repair to hold up. It’s important to know what consistencies are best with certain types of repairs so that your repairs last. Applying too much joint compound is something to look out for and should be avoided if possible.

Remember, when patching smaller holes in your drywall, spackle is the correct product to use. Still, you can apply joint compound if you don’t have spackle readily available. If both products are in your possession, only use the joint compound for finishing the drywall.

6. Skipping the Primer Coat

Doing DIY drywall repairs can save a lot of money, but if you don’t take the time to properly prepare the wall and apply each coat carefully, all that saved money could end up being flushed down the drain. Before beginning a repair project on your drywall, take the time to apply a primer coat to ensure that any color differences between the repair section and the existing drywall are kept to a minimum. This is especially important if you’re putting down multiple coats of paint or textured finishes. Skipping this critical step will likely leave you with an uneven and unsatisfactory finish. So, before starting any drywall repairs at home, grab the primer and get ready for success.