Drywall Repair in Rochester, NY
We patch holes, fix cracks and repair water damaged walls in Rochester homes and rentals. A good patch is flat, sanded, primed and painted from corner to corner, so you cannot find it later. If the wall is wet or moldy, our handyman stops and tells you who to call.
- Patch, prime and paint
- Plaster and drywall
- Written quote first
Wall damage we repair
Holes
From doorknobs, old anchors, hooks and moved furniture.
Cracks
Above doors and windows, or along seams.
Nail pops
Small bumps where a screw or nail has backed out.
Water stains and soft spots
Damage left after a leak or a pipe repair.
Bad old patches
Lumpy or cracked repairs that show through paint.
Plaster cracks
Older Rochester homes often have plaster, not drywall.
How we repair a wall, by problem
| What you see | Likely cause | What we do | Call someone else when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cracked wall by a window | Settling or a past leak | Tape, fill, sand, prime and paint | The wall is wet or moldy |
| Hole under 6 inches | Doorknob, anchor or impact | Use a patch, then compound in thin coats | Wiring or pipes are damaged |
| Hole over 6 inches | Removed fixture or impact | Cut out, add wood backing, set a new piece | A stud is broken |
| Soft or stained drywall | A leak above or behind | Cut out the damage and patch after the leak is fixed | The leak is active |
This Old House lists three patch sizes. Small holes under half an inch take spackle. Holes up to 6 inches take a self adhesive patch and joint compound. Bigger holes need wood backing and a new piece. It says patches crack when the compound goes on too thick, when sanding is skipped, or when primer is left out. We use thin coats, sand between them and prime before paint. Painting the whole wall from corner to corner is what makes the color match. If you need wall and ceiling painting in Rochester beyond the repaired area, ask us at the visit.
How a drywall repair visit works
- Tell usDescribe the damage and when it happened.
- CheckWe look for moisture, wiring, studs and old paint.
- RepairWe patch in thin coats and sand between them.
- FinishWe prime, paint edge to edge and clean up.
Dust, lead, asbestos and mold
Older homes call for care. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says some patching and joint compounds may contain asbestos, and that sanding or scraping can release fibers. The EPA says paid work that disturbs painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 calls for certified firms. We tell you before we sand or cut in an older home.
Water damage over about 10 square feet is a job for a professional, says the EPA mold guide. If we find mold, we stop and tell you. More than half of Rochester housing was built before 1940, per NeighborhoodScout, so these checks come up often.
Drywall repair questions
Can you match the wall texture?
Smooth walls are simple. Textured walls take more work, and we tell you at the visit how close we can get.
How big a hole can you patch?
We patch holes of any size that only involve drywall. Over 6 inches means wood backing and a new piece. Broken studs, wiring or pipes go to the right trade.
Do you fix water damaged drywall?
Yes, after the leak is stopped. We cut out the damaged part, patch it and paint.
How long does a patch take?
Compound needs time to dry between coats, so larger patches can take more than one visit. We tell you when we quote.
Is lead or asbestos a concern?
It can be in a house built before 1978. We tell you before we sand or cut, and we say who to call if the work needs a certified firm.
Related services
Request a visit
Call 585.555.0142 and tell us about the job. We answer every call.
100 Sample Street, Rochester, NY 14604 | Hours: Monday–Saturday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM