The Easy Fix To A Common Drywall Problem With Bathroom Showers

Customizable, affordable, and fire-resistant drywall is one of the most popular building materials used inside modern homes. But for all its benefits, drywall has one major weakness: water. In most rooms, this isn't a huge concern, but in places where a wall butts up to a bathtub or shower, the material can suffer from repeated splashing and high humidity. When drywall gets wet, it can soften, swell, warp, and become discolored. It may also become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Ultimately, the damaged drywall will need to be cut out and replaced, but it doesn't have to be a difficult process if you follow the right steps. For most minor water damage, you can use what's known as a "plumber's patch."

In general, a sheet of drywall consists of a gypsum core with a face paper and a backing paper on either side. A plumber's patch cuts the drywall piece down to size while leaving some of the paper attached around the edges. This paper will overlap with the existing wall, eliminating the need for drywall tape. Screws and wood backing are also not necessary when using a plumber's patch, so you can achieve faster, easier, and smoother-looking results anywhere on the wall without needing to locate a stud. A plumber's patch is one of the best drywall repair hacks that can save you time and money, especially if used with quick-drying mud.

To fix your damaged drywall with a plumber's patch, you'll need a pencil, measuring tape, utility knife, drywall, drywall mud, and a drywall taping knife. The size of your drywall knife may vary depending on the size of your patch repair, but a product like the Goldblatt Drywall Tools 5-Piece Knife Set should cover the basics. Wall texture spray and paint will also be necessary to hide the finished patch.

With the utility knife, cut a rectangular hole about an inch around the damaged area. Leaving any warped drywall behind doesn't just defeat the purpose of repairing the wall, but it will also make it harder to blend the patch in seamlessly. Measure the hole and cut your drywall loosely down to size, with about 2 inches of excess on all sides. Next, flip your drywall and score lines on the back paper to the same measurement as the hole, minus about a 1/8 inch for wiggle room. After scoring each straight line, break and peel the gypsum off of the face paper. You should be left with a drywall patch that has a neat paper border. 

Check that the patch fits snugly, then smear drywall mud generously on the paper or the wall around the hole. Place the patch on the wall. Use the drywall knife to scrape and press the paper smooth, spreading any excess mud outward. Make sure to do this carefully, as you don't want to tear the paper. Finally, cover the whole patch in a layer of mud, then let dry before sanding, texturing, and painting the wall.

The plumber's patch technique is a good solution for fixing small unsightly spots, but it isn't a miracle hack — or even a very good long-term solution. The benefits of this method are that it's quick, easy, and requires relatively few materials. However, a plain drywall plumber's patch is still susceptible to water damage. Instead of plain drywall, there are other materials you can use to grant your walls some extra water resistance.

If you're planning to build or repair bathroom walls on your own, learn more about what greenboard drywall is and how to use it. This special type of drywall is designed for water-prone spaces, with a fiberglass or wax-coated facing material that resists moisture and mold. There are also paints and primers that can give your walls a waterproof finish, such as KILZ Basement and Masonry Waterproofing Paint.

Whether it's a gap in the shower door or a leaky pipe, it's never a good idea to ignore water splashing onto your walls, even if you have water-resistant drywall and paint. At some point, you'll need to nip the problem at its source. If your wall has extensive water damage or mold growth, it's possible your drywall needs to be replaced rather than repaired.