Should I attempt to repair the wall in my son’s bedroom myself, given my experience with small repairs, or should I hire someone to put up new drywall?
Asked by Elizabeth Phillips 
5 months ago
Last Updated: July 26, 2024
I have a wall in my son’s bedroom that needs some repair. The previous owners had paneling on it, and when we removed it, we discovered this.
Do you think this is too much for me to handle on my own? I’m good at fixing small holes and making repairs, but I’m not sure where to start with this one. Should I try to tackle it myself or hire someone to put up new drywall?
Any tips or words of encouragement on how to approach this would be really helpful.
It might be simplest to go with 1/4” drywall throughout.
I would recommend taking it down for peace of mind and ensuring there are no mold or potential electrical problems.
Here’s what you can do… work on spackling around the A/C unit as best as you can using a wide knife, then add trim around it, maybe even a 1×4”. For other drywall issues, use a wide knife again. Avoid using a setting-type spackle to avoid time constraints. Stick to spackling, light sanding, and repeat. Use fiberglass tape on the cracks.
Avoid using paper tape, fiberglass is always better for preventing cracks!
As a contractor, you need to open up this wall to investigate what’s happening. It seems like there’s rot! Additionally, the electrical setup could pose a fire risk. Tear down the drywall and thoroughly inspect everything. I wouldn’t settle for anything less.
I’m in agreement. I would take the rock down to check how they installed the unit. Did they support it properly since it’s wider than the required stud width? The electrical setup looks suspicious and I’d want to ensure there’s no knob and tube wiring or improper connections.