How to fix and fill cracks/holes in wall?

Question

I need to fix up untreated drywall walls in the house and prep them for painting. How do I go about filling in holes and cracks in the wall? Especially the external corners where it seems there are cracks along what I guess is the corner joint tape beneath? Do I have to sand it down or remover them completely and start over?

Thanks for your help!

Should I remove the existing (and cracking) corner joint tape in the drywall or should I apply another tape or compound over it?

thanks for your answers so far!

Answer 1

Watch this video:

http://www.easy2diy.com/cm/easy/diy_ht_3d_index.asp?page_id=35750435

Answer 2

All you really need to is apply joint compound and "float" over the crack using a wide puddy knife. Be careful not to get it too thick as it will look like an obvious repair. Use the knife to scrape over the fresh joint compound so that the compound gets into the void places and there is only a very thin layer over the old drywall and let dry.

Now for the tricky part. In order for it not to look like a repair you must match the texture of your old wall. If you are lucky and have a lightly textured wall you can get away with using some very watered down joint compound and a rag or old paint brush to dab on the texturing. If you have the orange peel or french drag texture you can buy a texturing kit at your local home improvement store.

Answer 3

I know for a hole in the wall the best fix is to cut the hole in your wall into a perfect square. Then cut a new piece of drywall into the same size as your new square hole. BUT make sure you keep flaps of the new drywall paper atleast two inches around so when you plug your new drywall into the hole you will have flap that you can spackle down. This make it smooth and sturdy. I hope this helps and isnt confusing. Good Luck

Answer 4

If you use Spackle you can scrap it smooth while it still wet, the corner sounds like a big job. I'm not sure about caulk in the corners or if you would have to use drywall mud, call home depot and ask, they are good about giving ideas to fix problems.

Answer 5

joint compund the best and cheapest.....sometimes for large cracks fill 2-3 times let dry in between, then sand down

Answer 6

If you have never done it the best way is just to use textured paint. If the texture is too much after the first coat put a few coats of untextured paint to smooth it out again.

Answer 7

put some drywall mud up there and then sand it down after it dries should do the trick

Answer 8

it is called spackle and you can get it at home depot . it is so easy to apply and sand down and paint over it . good luck .

Answer 9

use joint compound,let dry then sand.