by Ian Loft

Created on: December 11, 2007

Sheetrock is essentially a flattened pancake of plaster covered by paper on both sides and varies in thickness depending on type and purpose. Ceiling sheetrock is generally thinner than standard sheetrock used on walls, and wet-area sheetrock is separate variety that is treated with a water resistant sealant. Sheetrock is quite brittle and easily penetrated however as an internal wall and ceiling lining material it is relatively inexpensive quick and easy to install when compared with masonry construction or timber lined internal walls. While being easy to damage, sheetrock is also quite easy to repair and there are a few simple tricks that will help to save you time, money and frustration when faced with patching up holes.

Tools and materials you need are:

- A small bucket in which to mix up the filling compound,
- A flat paint scraper so you can spread and flatten a thick mix of plaster,
- Sandpaper (course and fine) and sanding block,
- Cardboard: medium to stiff - you will not be able to use anything too soft,
- Sheetrock adhesive or a reasonably fast-drying adhesive,
- Thin screws a size long enough to be removed when the plaster dries
- Sheet rock saw this is an inexpensive tool you can pick up at your hardware store
- Sheetrock filler.

It is not a good idea to use Plaster of Paris for this type of repair because this will set far too hard and it is significantly more difficult to sand back. Another problem is that Plaster of Paris will more easily crack because it is less flexible than the plaster grade used for sheetrock. Your local hardware supplier can provide you with some excellent advice about the most appropriate filler product for your needs.

Generally holes on your internal wall seem to occur between the studs (vertical part of the internal wall frame) which means you will not be able to mix up a filling plaster and start slapping it around the hole. Without anything on which a filling plaster can stick about all you will achieve is a bigger mess and wet plaster being pushed into the hole - most people who attempt such a short cut seem to reinvent the English language with creative new profanities! This is where the cardboard comes in but you will first need to tidy up the hole a little.

Using a plaster saw carefully cut away loose edges and make sure there are no shreds of paper still attached. After removing the loose and cracked pieces you then need to use the saw to cut carefully around the perimeter of the hole and make a slightly angled edge. The

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