Having lived in a number of apartments, I was used to patching small nail holes as part of the move-out process. But when a hole is too big for simple patching, or repairs continue to crack, how does one take care of the mess? I found my answer in drywall tape.
Drywall tape is a material that helps cover uneven surfaces that would be difficult to patch by using joint compound (aka "mud") alone.. It comes in two versions: paper (most often used) and fiberglass (which is adhesive-backed and the kind I used). Using and applying dryway tape only requires a small number of steps and materials.
You will need: drywall tape, a pair of scissors, joint compound, and a putty knife.
1. As always, wipe down the surface you are going to be working on. Things always stick better when there is no dirt in the way!
2. Drywall tape can be easily trimmed to the shape you need using household scissors. Apply the tape to the hole or crack you are patching.
3. Next, cover the tape using joint compound and smooth the surface with a putty knife. If a second or third coat is required, sand in between each application to ensure the smoothest surface possible.
4. Do a final sanding with fine-grit sandpaper, and the wall is ready to paint!
Even though the laundry room has required more preparation (and more patience) in order to paint, it feels pretty good to have learned something new! Each new task I am facing in this house is only making me more confident that this is something I can do. And as an added bonus, I get to pass these tips on to others, so that someone else may be able to benefit from these experiences. Win-win!