1.0 What the job involves
Small holes and dents in plasterboard are cut back to sound board, backed where they need it, then filled in thin coats and sanded flat. A patch built up in one thick coat shrinks and shows; three thin coats feathered out wide don't. It's left primed or ready for paint.
Timber trims take a fair share of knocks: skirting boards pulled off by a vacuum, architraves split by a door, a loose stair or step tread. We refix, glue and pin, or cut and fit a new length to match the profile as closely as the range allows.
Gaps around benches, baths, showers and windows are raked out and resealed with the right sealant for the spot: silicone in wet areas, paintable caulk on trims. Old silicone left under new silicone lets water in behind it, so the old bead comes off first.
Many Bendigo and Castlemaine houses were built before 1990, when asbestos was used in fibro sheeting, eaves, wet areas and some ceilings. Better Health Victoria advises having suspect material tested before disturbing it. We don't cut, drill, sand or patch anything that might be asbestos sheeting; if we find it, we stop and tell you. The same goes for old paint: houses painted before 1970 may have lead paint, so we don't sand back old paintwork.
2.0 The process, step by step
- 2.1
Look
Wall or trim checked; the age of the house and the material confirmed.
- 2.2
Stop check
Anything that could be asbestos sheeting or old lead paint is left alone.
- 2.3
Prepare
Damage cut back to sound material; backing fitted if needed.
- 2.4
Fill or fit
Thin coats of filler, or new trim cut and fitted.
- 2.5
Finish
Sanded smooth with dust caught, sealant or primer applied.
- 2.6
Clean
Area wiped down; paint-ready finish shown to you.
3.0 Included / not included
Included
- Small holes, dents and cracks in plasterboard
- Patches finished smooth and ready to paint
- Skirting, architraves and trims refixed or replaced
- Caulking and silicone raked out and renewed
- Dust caught while sanding, area wiped down
- A clear stop-and-tell if we find suspect material
Not included
- Anything that might be asbestos sheeting, fibro or old ceilings
- Sanding or stripping old paint that may contain lead
- Large wall or ceiling replacement and full re-sheeting
- Structural cracks and anything that moves
- Water damage with an active leak (needs a plumber first)
- Painting whole rooms
4.0 How pricing works
Free quote. The number and size of patches set the time, plus drying time between coats, which can mean a second short visit.
Photos of each patch, with something for scale, usually get a firm price. Small repairs are good value added to a list of other jobs in the same visit.
5.0 Questions
Can you patch a wall in an older house?
Plasterboard, yes. If the wall or ceiling could be asbestos sheeting or old plaster we can't identify, we stop and recommend testing first.
How do I know if it's asbestos?
You can't tell by looking. Better Health Victoria advises a test before disturbing suspect material in houses built before 1990.
Will I see the patch?
Not once it's painted, if the wall is flat. We feather it out wide and sand it smooth.
Do you paint after?
We leave it primed or paint-ready. Painting a small patch to match is possible; whole rooms we leave to a painter.
Can you fix a crack that keeps coming back?
A crack that returns may be movement. We'll tell you if it needs someone to look at the structure first.