How to Repair Interior Water Stain Damage

How to Repair Interior Water Stain Damage | Behr Paint
Find how to repair interior water stain damage in your home with this guide from Behr Paint.
how to repair water damage, repair water damage, interior water damage, remove water damage, repair drywall, replace drywall
Repairing water damage is easy when Behr Paint is your guide. There is no need to be afraid of replacing drywall, especially with Behr is on your side. Follow the step by step instructions and you will be finished before you know it.
Using a stud finder, locate the studs that are parallel to the hole being repaired.
Using a drywall saw, remove the water damaged area from between the studs by cutting in a square pattern.

TIP: Repairing water damage will require removal of the entire damaged area.
Using a utility knife, further remove a ½”–¾” wide strip of drywall to expose the studs. This will allow the patch to be fastened properly to the studs while leaving the undamaged section of drywall attached.

TIP: Remove any dust or debris from the area being repaired with a water-dampened rag or wet/dry vacuum.
Measure the length and width of the removed section of drywall.
Mark the measurements on a new piece of drywall. Using a utility knife and metal straight edge, cut out the measured area from the new drywall.

TIP: Ensure that the new drywall thickness is consistent with the existing drywall thickness.
Place the drywall patch in the area being repaired.
Using drywall screws, fasten the drywall patch to the exposed studs.

TIP: The screws should be countersunk into the drywall and should be 3" apart.
Using the patch measurements, cut strips of joint tape in the dimensions of the damaged area.
Using a putty knife, apply 4 inches of joint compound around the perimeter of the patch.
Immediately center the joint tape over the freshly applied joint compound.
Using a putty knife, remove the excess joint compound from the joint tape. Continue until all four sides have been completed. Allow it to dry.

TIP: This process will set the tape and will remove any trapped air bubbles.
When the area is dry, apply two to three additional layers of joint compound over the patched surface and feather 4”–6" beyond the repair. Allow it to dry.
Use 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the patched area and make it even with the surface.

TIP: Take care not to sand completely through the patching material as damage to the patch can occur.
Remove any final dust or debris from the finished repair.

TIP: If retexturing of the surface is necessary, choose a finish that will match the existing surface. Textured ceiling/wall patch kits are available in aerosol and powder forms. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application.
How to Repair Water Damage
Step-by-step instructions on repairing water damage.
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interior, repairs, water damage, drywall, joint compound, sanding, patching, patch, project, repairing, ceiling, walls
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Step 1
Using a stud finder, locate the studs that are parallel to the hole being repaired.
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Step 2
Using a drywall saw, remove the water damaged area from between the studs by cutting in a square pattern. TIP: Repairing water damage will require removal of the entire damaged area.
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Step 3
Using a utility knife, further remove a ½”–¾” wide strip of drywall to expose the studs. This will allow the patch to be fastened properly to the studs while leaving the undamaged section of drywall attached. TIP: Remove any dust or debris from the area being repaired with a water-dampened rag or wet/dry vacuum.
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Step 4
Measure the length and width of the removed section of drywall.
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Step 5
Mark the measurements on a new piece of drywall. Using a utility knife and metal straight edge, cut out the measured area from the new drywall. TIP: Ensure that the new drywall thickness is consistent with the existing drywall thickness.
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Step 6
Place the drywall patch in the area being repaired.
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Step 7
Using drywall screws, fasten the drywall patch to the exposed studs. TIP: The screws should be countersunk into the drywall and should be 3" apart.
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Step 8
Using the patch measurements, cut strips of joint tape in the dimensions of the damaged area.
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Step 9
Using a putty knife, apply 4 inches of joint compound around the perimeter of the patch.
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Step 10
Immediately center the joint tape over the freshly applied joint compound.
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Step 11
Using a putty knife, remove the excess joint compound from the joint tape. Continue until all four sides have been completed. Allow it to dry. TIP: This process will set the tape and will remove any trapped air bubbles.
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Step 12
When the area is dry, apply two to three additional layers of joint compound over the patched surface and feather 4”–6" beyond the repair. Allow it to dry.
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Step 13
Use 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the patched area and make it even with the surface. TIP: Take care not to sand completely through the patching material as damage to the patch can occur.
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Step 14
Remove any final dust or debris from the finished repair. TIP: If retexturing of the surface is necessary, choose a finish that will match the existing surface. Textured ceiling/wall patch kits are available in aerosol and powder forms. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application.
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Drywall
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Drywall Saw
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Drywall Screws
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Vinyl Gloves
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Joint Compound
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Joint Tape
A paper/cotton or fiberglass tape used to conceal the joints between panels of wallboard/drywall.
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Ladder
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Power Drill
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Protective Apparel
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Putty Knife
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Rags
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Sandpaper (220 Grit)
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Sponge
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Straight Edge
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Stud Finder
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Tape Measure
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Ceiling/Wall Patch
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Utility Knife
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How to Repair Interior Water Stain Damage | Behr Paint

Find how to repair interior water stain damage in your home with this guide from Behr Paint.

how to repair water damage, repair water damage, interior water damage, remove water damage, repair drywall, replace drywall

Repairing water damage is easy when Behr Paint is your guide. There is no need to be afraid of replacing drywall, especially with Behr is on your side. Follow the step by step instructions and you will be finished before you know it.

Using a stud finder, locate the studs that are parallel to the hole being repaired.

Using a drywall saw, remove the water damaged area from between the studs by cutting in a square pattern. TIP: Repairing water damage will require removal of the entire damaged area.

Measure the length and width of the removed section of drywall.

Mark the measurements on a new piece of drywall. Using a utility knife and metal straight edge, cut out the measured area from the new drywall. TIP: Ensure that the new drywall thickness is consistent with the existing drywall thickness.

Place the drywall patch in the area being repaired.

Using drywall screws, fasten the drywall patch to the exposed studs. TIP: The screws should be countersunk into the drywall and should be 3" apart.

Using the patch measurements, cut strips of joint tape in the dimensions of the damaged area.

Using a putty knife, apply 4 inches of joint compound around the perimeter of the patch.

Immediately center the joint tape over the freshly applied joint compound.

Using a putty knife, remove the excess joint compound from the joint tape. Continue until all four sides have been completed. Allow it to dry. TIP: This process will set the tape and will remove any trapped air bubbles.

When the area is dry, apply two to three additional layers of joint compound over the patched surface and feather 4”–6" beyond the repair. Allow it to dry.

Use 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the patched area and make it even with the surface. TIP: Take care not to sand completely through the patching material as damage to the patch can occur.

Remove any final dust or debris from the finished repair. TIP: If retexturing of the surface is necessary, choose a finish that will match the existing surface. Textured ceiling/wall patch kits are available in aerosol and powder forms. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application.

How to Repair Water Damage

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Using a drywall saw, remove the water damaged area from between the studs by cutting in a square pattern.

TIP: Repairing water damage will require removal of the entire damaged area.

Mark the measurements on a new piece of drywall. Using a utility knife and metal straight edge, cut out the measured area from the new drywall.

TIP: Ensure that the new drywall thickness is consistent with the existing drywall thickness.

Using drywall screws, fasten the drywall patch to the exposed studs.

TIP: The screws should be countersunk into the drywall and should be 3" apart.

Using a putty knife, remove the excess joint compound from the joint tape. Continue until all four sides have been completed. Allow it to dry.

TIP: This process will set the tape and will remove any trapped air bubbles.

Use 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the patched area and make it even with the surface.

TIP: Take care not to sand completely through the patching material as damage to the patch can occur.

Remove any final dust or debris from the finished repair.

TIP: If retexturing of the surface is necessary, choose a finish that will match the existing surface. Textured ceiling/wall patch kits are available in aerosol and powder forms. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application.