Drywall repair & patching
Water-stained ceilings, doorknob holes, cracked seams, popped screws. We open it up, fix what caused it, patch, match the texture and finish, and paint so the repair disappears. Philadelphia and the near suburbs.
Common repairs, done properly
A patch is easy. A patch you can't find is the job. Every repair below gets a real fix underneath and a finish that blends.
Water damage and ceiling stains
The brown ring on the ceiling is the last step of a leak, not the first. We confirm the source is fixed, open the damaged area, check the framing and insulation with a moisture meter, and let it dry before anything goes back. We won't close up over wet insulation or soft framing. Once it reads dry we replace the board, tape, finish, prime with a stain-blocking primer so the ring doesn't bleed through, and paint.
Holes: doorknobs, anchors, plumbing access
Small holes get a mesh or backer patch and three coats of compound feathered wide. Larger openings, like the square a plumber cut to reach a valve, get new drywall on solid backing so the patch never flexes or cracks. If access may be needed again, we can set a paintable access panel instead.
Cracks at seams and corners
Cracks along tape lines or at corner bead usually mean the tape let go or the house moved. We cut out the failed tape, re-tape, reset or replace the bead, and refinish. In older Philly rowhomes a crack is often plaster, not drywall; if that's what we find, we treat it as plaster and tell you. See skim coating & plaster.
Popped nails and screws
Framing shrinks and pushes fasteners out. We drive a new screw above and below the pop, set the old one below the surface, fill and finish, so it doesn't come back next winter.
Sagging ceilings
A ceiling that droops between joists is fastener failure, wet board, or board too thin for the span. Sometimes it can be re-fastened; often the sagging section comes down and new board goes up. We assess it first and you'll know which before we start.
- Floors and furniture covered; plastic and HEPA vac on every sanding job
- Stain-blocking primer on every water repair
- Written, itemized price before we start
- 1-year workmanship warranty
Texture, finish level, and honest paint advice
Texture matching
Knockdown, orange peel, popcorn or skip trowel: we test the pattern on scrap board first, then apply and feather it into the surrounding field so the edge doesn't show in raking light.
Matching the existing finish
A Level 5 wall under glossy paint or a big window shows every ripple. We finish the patch to the same level as the wall around it: a smooth wall stays smooth, and a standard Level 4 wall doesn't get an over-worked shiny spot.
Spot paint vs. the whole wall
Honest answer: touch-up paint almost never matches. Paint fades, sheen shifts, and even the same can lays down differently. For a truly invisible repair, the wall gets repainted corner to corner. We price it both ways; you choose.
Repainting the room while we're there? See painting for what's included.
Send photos for a quick price
For most repairs we can give you a firm number from a few photos: one from a few feet back showing the whole wall or ceiling, one close-up, and something for scale (a hand or a tape measure works). Tell us the room and whether the leak, if there was one, is fixed. We reply within one business day; if we need to see it in person, the visit is free.
Send them through the contact page, or text them straight to .
Photos or a visit
Send pictures or book a 30-minute visit. We look at what's behind the damage, not just the surface.
Firm written price
Itemized, signed online. Small repairs are batched with nearby jobs so we can get to you sooner.
Repair, blend, paint, clean
Plastic down, patch finished to match, painted, swept before we leave. We text the day before we arrive.
Drywall repair FAQ
Do you take small jobs, like one hole or one crack?
Yes. Small repairs are a normal part of our week. We batch them with other jobs in the same area so we can price them fairly and get to you sooner. Send photos and you'll get a firm price.
Can you fix a water-stained ceiling without replacing it?
Only if it's dry, solid, and the leak is fixed. We check with a moisture meter first. If the board is soft or the insulation above is wet, we open it, dry it and replace it. Painting over a wet ceiling hides the problem for a few months, then it's back.
Will the repair be invisible?
The patch itself will be flat, textured and finished to match. Whether the paint disappears depends on repainting: a spot touch-up usually shows a slightly different sheen or shade, especially on ceilings and in daylight. For a truly invisible result, plan on repainting the wall or ceiling corner to corner. We'll tell you which one your situation needs.
How long does a typical repair take?
Most patches take two to three short visits because compound has to dry between coats: patch and first coat, then second and third, then sand, prime and paint. Water damage that needs drying time takes longer, and we'll give you the schedule up front.
Get the hole fixed and forget it was there
Photos get you a firm price. A free site visit gets you a written, itemized estimate you can sign on your phone.