How to repair damaged Gyprock walls?

kazzacf

Hi all, I’ve recently had new windows installed which has left some damage to the gyprock wall as show in pics, small hole and torn wall. What is best way to repair wall and prevent paper from peeling anymore? Is a primer needed before applying joint compound? And what is best way to fix small hole? With foam fill or ? Pics show products I have already. Thanks for advice. 

  

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @kazzacf. It's fantastic to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about repairing plasterboard.

To fix the torn paper on the wall, you'll need to carefully cut away the damaged paper using a utility knife. Trim it back to where the paper is still intact to prevent any peeling from spreading. After you’ve removed the damaged paper, sand the area smooth with fine-grit sandpaper. This will create a clean surface for your repair materials to adhere to.

Next, apply plaster filler or joint compound to the affected area. Once the filler has dried, sand it down to make the surface flush with the surrounding wall. This will help the patch blend seamlessly with the rest of the wall.

For the small hole, you can fill it with expanding foam. This is a great option if the hole is deep or the cavity is deep because the foam will expand to fill the gap. Once the foam has set, trim it back slightly below the surface of the plaster using a utility knife. Then, fill the remaining gap with your plaster filler. Once that has dried, sand it smooth until it’s level with the surrounding wall.

As for primer, you generally won’t need to apply one before joint compound if you’re working on bare Gyprock. The compound will act as a sealer. However, if the surrounding wall is painted or glossy, a light coat of primer might help the filler adhere better and prevent peeling down the line.

Remember your PPE, including a face mask, safety glasses and cut-resistant gloves.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell