Extreme drywall repairs

As I mentioned in my last post, I like to keep any drywall repairs simple. My skills do go beyond a simple DAP Patch Stick, but I'd rather not use them for a lot of reasons. The mess of sanding being at the top of the list.

But there will come a time when I'll need to man up and go the distance, even if that means cutting old drywall out and replacing it with a new patch.

That's why I love Extreme How-To. It's one of the best DIY resources out there, and they are great at taking what could be a very difficult project and providing thorough step-by-step directions, like they've done with this article on repairing drywall.

After reading it, you'll understand why the magazine is called EXTREME How-To.

Toothpaste for grownups

Ever have to patch drywall? I have, and you know what? For the most part, it's not that hard to do.

The easiest I've ever used is to fill nail (or dart) holes with white toothpaste (ah, college). On a white wall, it can be almost impossible to notice. Do it the night before your landlord comes by for the final walk-through and you should get your security deposit back. Or at least if you don't, the nail holes won't be why.

As an adult male homeowner, toothpaste won't do. So for small-ish holes (i.e. 99 percent of what I've dealt with), I use a marvelous invention called the DAP Patch Stick. It's like the toothpaste trick, just more permanent and durable. And it's for grownups. At less than four bucks a stick, there's no excuse for not having one stowed in the garage or junk drawer. That goes for every household.

(As an aside, the last time I was at Home Depot, I noticed there's now a DAP Stick specifically for nail holes, which costs about a dollar more. Is it worth the difference? I'll let you judge for yourself. Personally, I'm reminded of the Simpsons episode where a company released a "new" version of the Malibu Stacy doll with the only change being that she had a different hat.)

The other grownup method I've used for repairing drywall is much more labor-intensive. Therefore I avoid it as much as possible. If the hole's too big for the DAP Stick (in my estimation, which tends to be much more liberal than DAP's), I have to get out the old drywall mud, slather some on, smooth it as much as possible, wait for it to dry and then sand it smooth. Luckily, I've only had to do this a few times - with varying results.

And most luckily of all, I've never had a hole big enough to require floating a new piece of drywall (knock on wood). That would require a house call/demo from dear old Dad.