When to DIY and When to Call a Pro for Drywall Repair

Your living room wall has a hole from moving furniture. The ceiling in the bedroom has stains of watermarks where the roof was repaired last month. There are cracks on the corners of the hallway. Sound familiar? Such drywall problems appear in every house, and the great question is always the same one: whether to take your tools or to call a professional.

The solution is not necessarily easy. There are drywall repairs that make an ideal weekend do-it-yourself, and there are those that will cost you a fortune should you attempt them. This is how you can choose the best option in your case and for your wallet.

Small Holes: Perfect for DIY

• Nail Holes and Small Dings

On these small blemishes, you will practice. Holes in the nails formed when hanging pictures, tiny dents on the doorknobs, or slight scuffs occur in every household. These can be repaired in 15 minutes or so with some ordinary spackling compound and a putty knife.

Here is how it works: just remove any loose material, then put a little spackle on it, and smooth it out with your finger or a small putty knife; allow it to dry, and sand it very lightly before painting. This can be tackled without any fear, even by amateurs.

• Holes Up to Three Inches

The medium-sized holes caused by banging your hand through the wall or by taking off old fixtures can still be handled as DIY projects. Those usually need a mesh patch or a small drywall segment as a supporting surface, some joint compound, and time to apply several coats.

The trick is to allow time on each layer. When you rush the job, you will live to regret it by seeing ridges and bumps underneath your paint.

When DIY Gets Risky

• Large Holes and Damage

When you start having holes bigger than your fist, it gets a lot more complex. You will have to remove damaged areas, perhaps work around electrical wires or plumbing, and exactly match the current wall texture.

Big holes are a sign of bigger issues as well. There could be structural work involved besides drywall repair because that giant hole could have compromised the wall studs behind it.

• Water Damage from Roof Leaks

This is where most homeowners commit expensive errors. On the surface, water damage seems easy to handle: a few brown stains and possibly soft spots. However, the damage caused by water goes beyond the surface.

The unsightly stains that are visible just scratch the surface after roof leak repair. Water may undermine the strength of the drywall, result in unseen mold development, and destroy insulation behind the walls. What may appear to be a 50-dollar do-it-yourself project can contain hundreds of dollars' worth of further damage.

Moisture meters are professional tools that contractors use to determine the extent of the damage and how to treat already affected areas to avoid future mold problems.

Ceiling Repairs: Usually Not DIY Territory

Overhead work is strenuous and specialized. The drywall on ceilings is more massive and difficult to place in the right position. And to top it all, you have gravity against you all the time.

Ceiling repair jobs also usually entail electrical fixtures, which introduces a whole new level of complication and possible safety issues. Ceiling work should be left to the professionals unless you are familiar with electrical work and drywall.

Textured Walls: The Hidden Challenge

Textured walls are found in many houses—orange peel, knockdown, or popcorn texture. To blend these textures accurately will require specialized tools and skills, which are not possessed by most homeowners.

You may get the drywall repair portion perfect only to ruin it with a patch that is blatant due to a difference in texture. Not only do professionals have years of practice in matching different texture patterns, but also they have spray equipment.

Consider Your Time and Tools

Repairs done yourself will save money paid to a repair person; however, it will cost time and the proper tools. Simple repairs require spackle, sandpaper, and paint. Bigger projects will need drywall, joint compound, tape, assorted knives, and maybe rental equipment.

Compare the material and tools cost with the cost of a professional. The gap is not as big as you might imagine, particularly when you consider your time.

Red Flags That Scream "Call a Pro"

The following cases always need professional assistance:

• Multiple cracks appearing suddenly (could indicate settling issues)

• Recurring damage in the same spots

• Any electrical or plumbing complications

• Damage affecting multiple rooms

• Historical homes with plaster walls instead of drywall

• Insurance claims requiring professional documentation

Making the Smart Choice

Practice on small nail holes and shallow dings to get your ability up. Once you have confidence and experience, you will be able to handle somewhat larger projects.

However, understand your boundaries. It is not embarrassing to invite an expert when the task is complicated. A messed-up DIY repair is usually more expensive to repair than getting a qualified person in the first place.

It is not about being a drywall specialist in one day. It is to keep your house in good condition and make financially wise choices. In some situations that involves tying up your sleeve, and in some cases it involves picking up the phone.

Your home is probably the largest investment you have. Sometimes protecting that investment consists of stepping back and allowing the professionals to do their job.