Average cost for drywall installation — Atlanta, GA

Repairing a drywall hole in your Atlanta home depends on its size. For small holes, use a self-adhesive patch and apply joint compound over it, feathering the edges. For larger holes, cut out the damaged area into a clean shape, install backing support, fit a new drywall piece, and then mud and tape the seams. Multiple thin coats of joint compound, followed by sanding, are necessary to blend the repair seamlessly with the surrounding wall.

For new drywall in Atlanta, a PVA (Polyvinyl Acetate) drywall primer is generally recommended. This type of primer seals the porous paper surface of the drywall and the joint compound. It ensures that your paint will go on evenly without the mud absorbing more paint than the paper. This helps prevent 'flashing,' which are the noticeable differences in sheen between painted drywall paper and mudded joints. Using it makes for a much better final paint job.

A drywall bulge can occur due to moisture, causing the gypsum core to swell and the paper to delaminate. It can also happen if fasteners loosen or if there are issues with the framing behind the drywall. If moisture is the cause, the source must be identified and fixed, and the area dried thoroughly before repair. The bulging section may need to be cut out and replaced. Specialists will assess the cause to determine the most effective repair method.

A drywall pole sander is a tool that attaches to a long pole, allowing you to sand large drywall surfaces, especially ceilings and high walls, more easily and efficiently. It provides better leverage and reach compared to a hand-held sanding block. This tool is essential for smoothing joint compound after it dries, ensuring a uniform surface before painting. It helps achieve a professional, dust-free finish across expansive areas.

Effective drywall finishing in Atlanta homes requires a set of specific tools. These include various sizes of drywall knives (4-inch for initial fills, 10-12 inch for final coats), a drywall pan or hawk to hold joint compound, and sanding tools like pole sanders with different grit sandpaper. A utility knife is also essential for trimming. For larger jobs, experienced professionals might use drywall sprayers for certain textures or finishes.

A drywall patch is a piece of material used to cover a hole or damaged area in drywall. For small holes, a self-adhesive mesh patch is common. For larger repairs, a piece of new drywall cut to size is used. The patch is secured over or within the damaged area, and then joint compound is applied and feathered out. Multiple coats of compound are needed to blend the patch seamlessly with the surrounding wall surface after sanding.

Drywall is typically hung using drywall screws, which provide a stronger hold than nails. However, in some older construction or for specific applications, drywall nails might be used. These nails have a thin shank and a large, flat head designed to prevent it from pulling through the drywall paper. The heads are countersunk slightly below the surface so they can be covered by joint compound during the finishing process.