Drywall problems Sal fixes
- Holes: doorknob holes, anchor holes from old TV mounts and shelves, and accidental hits during moves
- Cracks: hairline cracks over doors and windows and along taped seams, common in Ottawa as houses move with the seasons
- Nail and screw pops: the small round bumps that appear in newer homes as the framing dries and settles
- Water damage: stained or soft drywall cut out and replaced once the leak itself is fixed
- Corner bead: dented or cracked outside corners rebuilt
- Plaster walls: cracks and holes in older plaster and lath homes
How a patch is done right
A good drywall repair is invisible once it's painted. That takes more than a smear of filler:
- Cut the damage back to solid material and add backing where needed
- Fit a new piece of drywall, or a mesh patch for small holes
- Tape and apply several thin coats of compound, feathered well past the edges
- Sand smooth and match the wall texture
- Prime, then paint, using your leftover paint if you have it
Compound needs time to dry between coats. Small holes can often be finished and painted in a single visit. Larger patches and water-damage repairs usually need a short second visit to sand, prime and paint. You'll know which one applies before booking.
What drywall repair costs
A few small holes or nail pops usually fit inside the $150 two-hour minimum. Larger patches, ceilings, and repairs that need a return visit for painting take more time. Text a photo with something for scale, like a hand or a tape measure, and you'll get a realistic estimate.
Water damage? Fix the source first. Sal can handle simple issues like a running toilet, a loose fitting or a bad caulk line. If it needs a licensed plumber or a roofer, he'll tell you rather than patching over a leak that's still active.
Pair it with painting
A patch in the middle of an old paint job can still show, even when it's perfectly smooth. Often it makes sense to repaint the whole wall. See interior painting.
Why Ottawa walls crack
Ottawa's humidity swings from damp summers to very dry, heated winters, so wood framing expands and shrinks every year. That movement shows up as hairline cracks above doors and windows, popped screws in newer homes, and cracked tape on ceiling seams. A crack that keeps coming back usually needs to be re-taped, not just filled. Sal will tell you which kind you're looking at and fix it so it lasts.
What customers say
★★★★★ “Great experience, showed up on time, the price was fair and the quality was great! Would definitely recommend!”
— Ebaa K., Google review
★★★★★ “Excellent service! Very professional, reliable, and friendly. He did an amazing job, paid great attention to detail, and made sure everything was done properly. Highly recommended!”
— Bilal A., Google review
Read all of Sal's Google reviews (5.0 stars).
Sal works across Ottawa: Kanata & Stittsville, Barrhaven & Nepean, Orleans & Gloucester, and central Ottawa. If you're just outside those areas, call and ask.