How to Repair Damaged Drywall

* Determination
* sand paper, medium grit (minimum)
* palm sander is preferred.
* Joint compound or Spackle

Step 1

Ever tried to remove wallpaper? I have, and guess what..NOT A PRETTY PICTURE. Oh I know they have gadgets and gizmo's and solutions galore, but I still wrecked my sheet rock. In fact, I don't know what was uglier, the wallpaper circa 1970 something, orrrrr my huge gouge marks left by my struggling to remove it. Alas, what are you to do? Well after much sweat, blood and tears..I decided to quit. Yes, I quit. It was a disaster. I decided the best thing to do, was patch the holes with joint compound, and put a thin layer over the seams and any area I had partially ripped wallpaper. Now, I knew if I painted, all these horrible areas would show through. Why? Because you usually have to use a semi gloss in any area with moisture, IE: Bathroom and sometimes kitchen...sooooooo I went on a hunt. I even thought of putting new sheet rock over the existing sheet rock. Yes, it was that bad. I soon discovered, that hardware stores now carry textured, palatable wall paper in a a variety of styles. I went home, painted my ugly failure in primer, and put up the textured paint able wall paper. Yes, a great fix, and you can still use a neutral color on the finished product. Never fear home improver's..there are times when you can, and should use wall paper without feeling like you have committed the home decor blunder of the century.

Step 2

Patch the holes with joint compound. This can be done any number of ways depending on how large the hole is. For the minor scrapes and gaps produced from trying to remove stubborn wallpaper, a simple trowel with joint compound can fix it. Just let it dry and sand. If the hole is larger, one way is to simply "stuff, or pack the hole with paper so that the joint compound has something to rest against. Try to fill it and pack it tightly but also make it so that it is flush with the back end of the existing drywall. You can also cover the packed paper with wire mesh from an old window screen or purchase some wire screening from the hardware store, cut it to slightly larger than the hole is, push it over the paper you stuffed the hole with and begin filling with your joint compound. It is OK over to overfill, you can sand it later.

Step 3

Sand the rough edges with a medium grit sandpaper. Using a palm sander works great. If you don't have one, take sand paper and wrap it around a small piece of 2 X 4 wood that is cut to about a 4 inch by 4 inch size.

Step 4

Go over wall paper seams with the joint compound. We don't want the seams to show, so this can help hide them. Remember to sand the seam before and after doing this step.

Step 5

Paint the walls with the recommended primer for going over existing wallpaper. I would do it twice if you have the strength.

Step 6

Get any variety of textured pain table wallpaper. Many hardware/ home improvement stores carry these. I went to Lowes. If you are a novice, pick one with a very simple pattern or texture. Otherwise you may have a time lining up all the designs on the wall paper.