[dfphoto]

Hi everyone, I just added a vent in my condo bathroom, I have a 2.5'x2.5' hole I need to patch.

I had a rough time cutting the hole out and my edges are really rough. I've never fixed rough edges before wondering if you can give me a tip on what I might try to soften or feather the edges as in my pics.

I know my lines are just terrible but I hit so many metal supports and other things I wasn't expecting and the hole had to get bigger and bigger. No excuses, I'm a beginner and this is what I have at the moment.

 

[ZTMAN]

For best results don't use a weed wacker when cutting drywall.
To patch that opening, get a piece of drywall larger then your current hole. If you don't want to buy a full sheet of drywall, they sell patch pieces at the big box stores.
Put the drywall on the ceiling and trace the patch.
Cut along the trace lines with a drywall saw, (if you dont have a multi tool)
Install your blocking/strapping so you can attach the patch.
Put your patch in the hole, and screw to the blocking, tape, mud, paint.

 

[ToolSeeker]

If your filling the hole the edges won't matter, cut your patch, put it in the hole. then tape with paper tape. Just remove the loose stuff around the edge.

 

[dfphoto]

Hi thanks for that tip i thought there was a technique to smooth the edge. Glad to hear there is not i will try to smooth the rough with a knife.

Will repirt back tonight

 

[SPS-1]

Grab a file or rasp and chamfer the edges of the hole a little.

 

[dfphoto]

Thanks for that tip, I put a 5/8" fire retardant panel up but learned another lesson. The ceiling has 3/4"-1" thick drywall, so I didn't catch that when I was trying to screw the panel up so down it comes and adding some furring strips.

At least I didn't add any material in the cracks...!

Lesson learned measure the old drywall before buying new!!!

 

[Sir MixAlot]

Thanks for that tip, I put a 5/8" fire retardant panel up but learned another lesson. The ceiling has 3/4"-1" thick drywall, so I didn't catch that when I was trying to screw the panel up so down it comes and adding some furring strips.

At least I didn't add any material in the cracks...!

Lesson learned measure the old drywall before buying new!!!

The photo doesn't look like 3/4" to 1". :no:

Did you put a screw in the existing drywall wherever the stud meets the new drywall on the patch? :detective:

That could bring in the old drywall a good bit and also keep the seams from cracking. :thumbsup:

 

[dfphoto]

Hi SirMixAlot... again I could have used your help!

When I tested the 5/8 and put it up to the wood support I screwed in, the 5/8 was not level, I added a little shim and that fixed it. I read online that a multi story condo requires thicker fire retardant drywall for fire.

I am on to 2nd coat hoping for the best! I still think the skill of laying mud is the hardest!!!