Best drywall pros near Desoto, TX

If you suspect black mold is inside your walls, do not punch a hole in the drywall yourself to look. Call a mold inspection expert to help you. Some signs of a potential black mold infestation inside the wall include an unexplained musty, damp smell. Some people liken it to rotting vegetables. You may smell it most strongly through a wall outlet. If you and your family are experiencing constant coughing or symptoms that feel like an unexplained allergy, it could indicate black mold behind a wall.

The age of your home can clue you in to whether you have plaster or drywall ceilings. Homes built after the ‘70s are more likely to have drywall ceilings and walls, while older homes have plaster. You can also do the pushpin test: A pushpin will go into drywall, whereas it’s much harder to push one into a plaster wall. If you’re still unsure, ask a drywall professional to let you know which type of ceilings and walls you have.

It’s not a good idea to plaster over broken plaster (unless by broken you’re referring to cracked, in which case that’s perfectly fine). However, broken plaster can be a sign of a larger underlying issue like foundation damage or severe damage to the lath holding up the plaster, so it’s worth investigating before you simply plaster on top of the damage.

You can put drywall mud over paint to even out the surface or entirely resurface it. Sand the surface with 280-grit sandpaper, vacuum the debris and dust with a shop vac, and clean it with a slightly damp cloth. Allow the surface to dry. Apply drywall primer, especially if you’re skim-coating an entire wall. Apply the right type of drywall mud over the surface and smooth it with a trowel. Allow the layer to cure fully, then sand it before applying another layer or painting it.