The Secrets To Avoiding Drywall Texturing Mistakes

• admin
• October 28, 2022
• Elite Custom Painting And Remodeling Blog

Key Takeaways –

• DIY drywall texturing is challenging.
• You must learn the technique and apply it carefully to avoid ruining the drywall.
• Professional texturing always stands out from DIY efforts.
• Choose professional contractors wisely before assigning them responsibility.

Drywall texturing might seem simple, but if you’re not careful, you can easily make some mistakes that will leave your walls looking terrible. This blog lists common texturing mistakes and explains how not hiring a professional is the biggest mistake.

Five Most Common Drywall Texturing Mistakes

At best, drywall texturing can add visual interest and dimension to a room. At its worst… well, we’ve all seen some genuinely terrible texturing jobs out there. If you’re considering adding wall or ceilings texture, avoid these five common mistakes:

1. Not Using the Right Tool for the Job

Professionals use different tools to apply texture to drywall, including hand-held brushes, rollers, combs, and even spray bottles. However, not all tools are created equal. Different tools produce different effects, so choosing the right tool for the job is essential. For example, if you want a stippled effect, using a roller will give you better results than using a brush.

2. Not Learning the Techniques

Choosing the right tool for the job doesn’t mean you’ll automatically know how to use it. Learning how to apply texture properly takes practice and patience. Fortunately, various resources are available to help master the techniques, including YouTube videos, online tutorials, and books on the subject. Practice on scraps of drywall or in an inconspicuous corner of the room before tackling the entire project. 

3. Applying Texture Unevenly

Once you’ve mastered the techniques, it’s essential to apply the texture evenly across the surface of the drywall. Otherwise, you’ll end up with patchy areas that stand out like a sore thumb. To avoid this problem, start in one corner of the room and work your way around evenly and methodically. Be sure to check your work as you go along to catch any areas that you may have missed. 

4. Letting Mud Dry Too Quickly

Applying texture mud is only half the battle – once it’s applied, you must dry it thoroughly before proceeding to the next step. If you try to rush things by skipping ahead too soon, your texturing job will suffer. Read (and re-read) the instructions to determine how long it needs to dry before proceeding. It will most likely need to dry overnight before sanding and priming.

5. Not Sanding Properly Before Painting 

Texturing drywall aims to create a smooth surface that you can paint easily (and evenly). To achieve this goal, it’s essential to sand down any rough spots before painting – otherwise, your paint job will look terrible. The key here is to use fine-grit sandpaper so that you don’t damage the drywall surface. Use gentle strokes, and wipe away any residual dust before applying primer and paint.

Also, Read – Kitchen Remodeling Trends that Will Never Go Out of Style

Reasons Why Not Seeking Professional Help is the Biggest Drywall Texture Mistake

We’ve all been there. You’re watching HGTV, and they make DIY drywall texturing look so easy. “I can do that,” you think to yourself. “How hard could it be?” Fast forward a few hours (or days, depending on how big your project is), and you’re standing covered in a joint compound and regretting ever thinking this was a good idea. Here are a few reasons why DIY drywall texture is a big mistake.

1. You’ll Make a Mess

Working with a joint compound is messy, no matter how careful you are. However, that mess will grow exponentially when you try to do it yourself. Not only will you have joint compound everywhere, but also pieces of drywall falling on the floor and tools are strewn about. It’s just not worth the hassle.

2. It’s Harder Than It Looks

The texture might look easy when watching someone else do it on TV, but it’s pretty tricky. It takes immense skill and practice to get the right consistency for your texture and to apply it evenly across the wall. Unless you’re confident in your abilities (and we mean confident), it’s best to leave it to the professionals.

3. You Might Not Be Happy With The Results

Even if you do manage to apply the texture evenly (which is no small feat), you might not be happy with how it looks once it dries. If that happens, you’re stuck with it until you hire someone to fix it or until you replace the drywall entirely—neither of which are fun options.

4. You Could Damage Your Walls (Or Worse)

If things go wrong while texturing your drywall (and they often do), you could damage your walls beyond repair or injure yourself in the process—neither of which are fun options. Trust us; it’s just not worth the risk.

5. It’s Difficult to Fix Mistakes

Even if you’re careful while texturing your drywall, chances are good that you’ll make at least a few mistakes along the way. And unlike painting or wallpaper, those mistakes can be challenging—and sometimes impossible—to fix without starting from scratch.

What to Consider Before Hiring a Contractor for Adding Drywall Texture?

You’re about to embark on a journey. A journey to find the perfect contractor for your drywall texturing needs. Before entering the wide world of contractors, arm yourself with knowledge! You should consider four things before hiring a contractor for drywall texturing.

1. The Type of Texture You Want

There are many textures, and not all contractors specialize in them. Do some research beforehand and determine the specific texture type you want. This way, when interviewing contractors, you can ask them specific questions about their experience with that particular type of texture.

2. The Budget

Drywall texturing can get expensive, so it’s essential to have a budget in mind before you start interviewing contractors. That way, you can narrow your options to those who fall within your budget and avoid any unpleasant surprises later.

3. The Schedule

Another essential thing to consider is the schedule. When do you need the job to be done? Make sure to communicate this clearly to the contractor so they can give you an accurate estimate of how long the job will take.

4. The Warranty

Last but not least, don’t forget to ask about the warranty! Most reputable contractors will offer a warranty on their work, so make sure to find out what kind of coverage you would get before making your final decision.

Drywall texturing can add beauty and dimension to your Annandale home, but only if it’s done right. At Elite Custom Painting and Remodeling, we’ve been helping homeowners avoid drywall texturing mistakes for years. Following our simple tips, you can avoid common pitfalls that result in an uneven or sloppy finish. And if you’re ever unsure of how to proceed with your project, our team of experts is always just a phone call away in Annandale.

Request a free estimate today, and let us show you how easy it is to get the beautiful, functional space you deserve.

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