Drywall tears are common and easily fixed.
Drywall is actually a gypsum sheet of plaster, 1/2- or 5/8-inch thick, produced in sheets of 4x8 or 4x12 feet in size. The plaster is covered in strong heavyweight paper on all sides. During installation, the paper can sometimes become torn, and before you can apply any sheet plaster, commonly known as "mud" or "sheet rock paste," you should address the tears.
Instructions
1. Pull the tear by hand gently. If the tear is only a few inches wide, pulling it will likely get rid of the torn paper. If the tear is several inches wide, however, place a ruler or straight edge and rest it 4 to 6 inches away from the tear.
2. Rest a tradesman's knife along the edge of the ruler, and run it very gently down the paper by the ruler edge; make the cut about 2 inches longer than the paper tear. Repeat this if necessary until the paper has been cut through. Do not cut into the plaster. Pull the torn paper by hand towards the cut. The tear will stop at the cut line.
3. Place a small amount of joint compound in the mud pan, and use a 6-inch taping knife to run a small layer of compound over the torn area.
4. Wait for the joint compound to dry, and sand the area with a fine-grade sandpaper to assure a smooth finish.
5. Apply a second and third coat in the same fashion if necessary. When finally smooth, the area is ready to paint or texture.
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