While away at the cottage last fall there was a laundry malfunction in the apartment above me causing water to come through the ceiling. It was raining in my sitting room and if not for the fast moves of an observant tenant the whole place would have been flooded. I vented the ceiling to let things dry out, hoping to ensure no water damage or mould growth. I think it's been more than long enough now so I've patched things up. Here are some tips on how to do this if you ever need to fill a substantial drywall hole.
Above is some of what you'll need to get the job done.
Cut the damaged drywall into rectangular shaped holes using a drywall saw or utility blade.
Measure and cut scrap drywall pieces to 1/8th of an inch smaller than your hole. You can get small pieces of drywall for this purpose at Home Depot or ask a neighbour.
Secure a strip of wood inside the hole to attach the pieces of drywall to with drywall screws. Make sure the strips of wood are thick enough to catch the screws (cedar shims won't cut it).
Tape the seams with drywall tape.
Use drywall compound to patch over the hole. Multiple thinner coats are better than sloppy heavy coats as the less sanding you have to do, the less mess. When renovating I like to do most things by myself - drywall mudding is not one of these things. It takes real experience and innate skill to do a good job. If you find a great drywall person, don't cross them.
Finally, sand, prime and paint.
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