Lesson 6: Wall & Surface Repairs - Cheat Sheet
Wall Types Identification Guide
Wall Type | Identification | Age/Common Use | Repair Difficulty |
Plasterboard/Drywall | Sounds hollow when tapped, nails/screws easily penetrate | Post-1980s, renovations | Easy |
Lath and Plaster | Harder surface, often uneven | Pre-1950s, historic properties | Moderate-Difficult |
Solid Masonry | Very solid when tapped, cold to touch, thick walls | Older homes, party walls | Moderate |
Tiled Surface | Hard, cool surface with grout lines | Bathrooms, kitchens | Varies |
Essential Surface Repair Tools
Tool | Purpose | Estimated Cost | Priority |
Utility knife | Cutting plasterboard, trimming patches | £5-10 | High |
Putty/filling knives | Applying filler (2”, 4”, 6” sizes) | £5-15 set | High |
Sandpaper | Smoothing repairs (80, 120, 220 grit) | £3-8 | High |
Sanding block | Even sanding of larger areas | £3-8 | Medium |
Joint compound/filler | Filling holes and cracks | £5-15 | High |
Mesh tape | Reinforcing larger repairs | £3-8 | Medium |
Paint and brushes/rollers | Finishing repairs | £15-40 | High |
Dust sheets | Protecting floors and furniture | £3-10 | High |
Bucket | Mixing fillers, cleaning tools | £3-8 | Medium |
Repair Materials Selection Guide
Repair Type | Best Material | Application Tool | Drying Time | Sandable? |
Small holes (<12mm) | Ready-mixed filler | Small putty knife | 2-4 hours | Yes |
Medium holes (12-150mm) | Joint compound | Various filling knives | 24 hours | Yes |
Large holes (>150mm) | Plasterboard + joint compound | Various filling knives | 24+ hours | Yes |
Hairline cracks | Flexible filler | Small putty knife | 2-4 hours | Yes |
Deep cracks | Mesh tape + joint compound | Various filling knives | 24+ hours | Yes |
Plaster wall repairs | Plaster filler | Various filling knives | 24+ hours | Limited |
Corner repairs | Corner tape + joint compound | Corner trowel | 24+ hours | Yes |
Tile repairs | Tile adhesive + grout | Notched trowel | 24+ hours | No |
Hole Repair Method Selection
Hole Size | Recommended Method | Materials Needed | Difficulty |
Pinhole | Direct fill | Ready-mixed filler | Very Easy |
Nail/screw hole | Fill and sand | Ready-mixed filler | Easy |
Small (12-50mm) | California patch | Plasterboard piece, joint compound | Easy |
Medium (50-150mm) | California patch | Plasterboard piece, joint compound | Moderate |
Large (>150mm) | Backing and patch | Plasterboard, wood backing, screws, mesh tape, joint compound | Moderate-Difficult |
Very large/irregular | New plasterboard section | Plasterboard, studs, screws, tape, joint compound | Difficult |
California Patch Technique Guide
Step | Description | Common Mistakes | Tips |
1. Square the hole | Cut damaged area into square/rectangle | Irregular cuts | Use utility knife and straight edge |
2. Create patch piece | Cut plasterboard slightly larger than hole | Too small patch | Allow 5cm extra on all sides |
3. Score back paper | Score around size of hole | Cutting through face paper | Score back only, leave face paper intact |
4. Snap gypsum away | Remove gypsum but leave face paper | Tearing face paper | Gentle pressure when removing gypsum |
5. Test fit | Ensure gypsum fits in hole with paper extending | Forcing fit | Trim as needed for perfect fit |
6. Apply compound | Around edges of hole | Too little compound | Apply generously |
7. Place patch | Position with gypsum in hole, paper overlapping | Misalignment | Center carefully |
8. Press firmly | Ensure good contact | Air bubbles | Press from center outward |
9. Apply thin layer | Over patch and paper edges | Too thick application | Thin, even coat |
10. Let dry | Usually 24 hours | Rushing drying time | Follow product instructions |
11. Sand smooth | Feather edges 15-20cm beyond patch | Uneven sanding | Use sanding block for evenness |
12. Second coat | Extending beyond first coat | Not extending far enough | Each coat should extend 5cm beyond previous |
13. Final sand and paint | After complete drying | Painting too soon | Ensure completely dry before painting |
Crack Repair Guide
Crack Type | Cause | Repair Method | Will It Return? |
Hairline | Settlement, seasonal movement | Flexible filler | Possibly, if movement continues |
Recurring | Structural movement | Mesh tape + compound | Less likely with proper reinforcement |
Corner cracks | Settlement, poor taping | Corner tape + compound | Unlikely with proper repair |
Ceiling cracks | Settlement, truss uplift | Flexible filler or tape | May recur seasonally |
Stress cracks | Around doors/windows | Mesh tape + compound | Unlikely with proper repair |
Paint Preparation and Application
Step | Purpose | Tools Needed | Common Mistakes |
Clean walls | Remove dust and grease | Sugar soap, sponge | Skipping cleaning |
Fill holes/cracks | Smooth surface | Fillers, knives | Insufficient filling |
Sand repairs | Even transition | Sandpaper, block | Inadequate sanding |
Wipe down | Remove sanding dust | Damp cloth | Painting over dust |
Apply primer | Seal repairs, even absorption | Primer, brush/roller | Skipping primer on repairs |
Cut in edges | Clean lines at corners/trim | Brush | Uneven edges |
Roll main areas | Even coverage | Roller | Roller marks, uneven pressure |
Apply second coat | Complete coverage | Brush/roller | Applying too soon |
Flooring Repair Quick Guide
Floor Type | Common Problem | Repair Method | Difficulty |
Wood - Squeaky | Loose boards moving | Screws from below or specialized screws from above | Easy-Moderate |
Wood - Loose boards | Nails backing out | Secure with screws, countersink below surface | Easy |
Wood - Scratches | Surface damage | Touch-up marker or wood filler + finish | Easy |
Tile - Loose | Adhesive failure | Remove grout, re-adhere tile, re-grout | Moderate |
Tile - Cracked | Impact damage | Replace individual tile | Moderate |
Laminate - Damaged | Water damage, chips | Replace affected planks | Moderate |
Carpet - Tears | Catching, pets | Carpet tape or patch from hidden area | Easy-Moderate |
Vinyl - Tears | Cuts, furniture damage | Patch kit or seam sealer | Easy |
Professional vs. DIY Decision Guide
Repair Type | DIY Appropriate? | Skill Level | Tools Needed | Time Required |
Small holes/cracks | Yes | Beginner | Basic | 1-2 hours |
Medium holes | Yes | Beginner-Intermediate | Basic | 2-4 hours |
Large holes | Yes | Intermediate | Basic + | 4-8 hours |
Ceiling repairs | Yes | Intermediate | Basic + | 2-8 hours |
Water damage | Maybe | Intermediate | Basic + | Varies |
Structural cracks | No | Professional | Specialized | Varies |
Lath and plaster repairs | Maybe | Advanced | Specialized | 8+ hours |
Artex/textured ceiling | Maybe | Advanced | Specialized | 8+ hours |
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Problem | Possible Causes | Solutions |
Filler shrinking | Applied too thick, dried too quickly | Apply in thin layers, allow proper drying |
Bubbles in compound | Air trapped, over-mixing | Smooth application, proper mixing technique |
Tape lifting | Insufficient compound, improper embedding | Remove, apply more compound, re-embed |
Visible patch edges | Insufficient feathering | Sand more aggressively at edges, wider application |
Paint not matching | Different sheen, faded original | Paint larger area, corner-to-corner |
Recurring cracks | Structural movement | Address underlying cause, use flexible filler |
Uneven texture | Inconsistent application | Match existing texture with appropriate tools |
Filler not hardening | Cold conditions, old product | Ensure proper temperature, fresh product |