It happens to every homeowner who lives in an older house—there’s damage to the plaster walls. It’s true you can do plaster repair, but can you use drywall instead? The simple answer is yes, but you must follow a few precise steps first.

3 Steps to Repairing Plaster Walls With Drywall

1. Secure With Screws

The key to a stable, sturdy plaster repair with drywall is carefully screwing the drywall into the wooden laths. If you use the correct material thickness and set it against the lath, it should lay flush with the plaster walls around it.

2. Cover Seams

Once the drywall is screwed into place, cover all the seams carefully with an adhesive nylon tape, usually called joint tape. This will create a smoother transition between the plaster and drywall. It will also prevent it from shifting in the future.

3. Apply Joint Compound & Paint

Once you’re satisfied with your plaster repair and everything looks even, you can apply a layer of joint compound, which will smooth over the transitions, and most importantly, cover the heads of the screws you have used. This may take two coats to get the desired effect, so let each layer dry before proceeding. Once this is complete, the joint compound can be sanded so you can paint it to match the rest of your interior walls.

Suburban Painting in Lexington, KY, has been providing professional commercial and residential painting services to the area for over 35 years. This premier home improvement company also tackles all sizes of paint jobs with enthusiasm, expertise, and a workmanship warranty. Visit their website to view a gallery of their work, or call (859) 276-1139 for more information about their professional plaster repair services.