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You should do a little bit of sanding between adding coats of mud. Knock down any ridges or significantly imperfect areas through sanding, which should help you apply the next coat of mud smoothly. If your first coat of mud is pretty smooth after it dries, a quick sanding is all you’ll need. Don’t forget to wipe away any dust after each sanding process.

Deciding whether to repair or replace drywall can be tricky, but your top considerations should be the extent of the damage and what caused the damage. For instance, if you need to repair a small hole caused by a doorknob that hit the wall, you can safely patch it without a second thought. However, if you have significant drywall damage caused by water damage, it’s best to thoroughly remove the drywall to inspect and repair the pipes behind it before replacing it.

According to the EPA, mold grows within 24 to 48 hours if left untreated after a water leak. So unless you notice the leak and stop it right away, you only have a day or so before mold is a real concern. If you don’t notice the leak, it can take about three weeks for the mold spores to become visible. That means you’ve likely had an active mold infection for a few weeks by the time you notice discoloration.

Many homeowners choose to install tongue and groove over drywall. The great thing about this type of ceiling is that it hides imperfections. If your drywall is a little bit wonky or has some minor damage, the tongue and groove planks should cover it and give it an even appearance. Installation is simplest if you install battens over the existing framing before installing your tongue and groove planks.