How to Fix Drywall Around Shower Stalls

Shower stalls are covered with tile, fiberglass or some other waterproof material that prevents the water from damaging the drywall around the shower. However, it's not unusual to have regular drywall surrounding the shower stall on nearby areas of the room. These areas can also be damaged by moisture over time. Replacing a section of drywall that has been water-damaged is a relatively straightforward project that involves cutting out the damaged area and creating and installing a drywall patch.

Pencil
Level
Jigsaw
Tape measure
2 boards, as long at the height of the damaged area, 2-by-2 inch
2 plywood boards, 6 to 8 inches wide and as long as the width of the damaged area
2 3/4-inch wood screws
1 1/4-inch drywall screws
Screw gun
Drywall, same thickness as the existing drywall
Utility knife
Drywall tape
Drywall joint compound
Drywall knife
Drywall sander

Instructions

- 1
  Draw a square border around the damaged area with a pencil and level. Extend the positions of the two vertical lines of the square so they run along the edge of the studs on both side of the damaged area. Make the horizontal lines a few inches out from the damaged area so the area is completely encompassed.
- 2
  Cut out the marked area using a jig saw.
- 3
  Set the 2-by-2-inch boards against the exposed sides of the studs, with the faces of the boards even with the front edges of the studs. Secure the boards to the studs with 2 1/2-inch wood screws.
- 4
  Hold one of the plywood pieces inside the hole, along the top, with about half the board behind the wall and about half of it jutting out into the open space of the hole. Shoot 1 1/2-inch drywall screws through the drywall just above the hole and into the plywood behind it to secure it there.
- 5
  Repeat for the bottom edge of the hole, with the other plywood piece. The hole should have a border of wood visible all around the perimeter just inside the cut drywall.
- 6
  Measure the dimensions of the hole and cut a piece of drywall to size, scoring the drywall with your utility knife and then bending it at the scored line until it breaks.
- 7
  Press the drywall piece into the hole, so it’s resting against the border of wood that you installed. Secure the piece to the wood by shooting 1 1/2-inch drywall screws through the drywall piece.
- 8
  Press drywall tape over the seams around the square drywall patch, where it meets the surrounding drywall. Spread joint compound over the tape with a drywall knife, getting it flat and smooth. Let it dry for about four hours. Spread a second layer of joint compound on, let it dry, then add a third layer. Each layer should be thin and flat.
- 9
  Let the final layer of compound set for 12 hours. Sand it smooth with a drywall sander. The wall is ready for repainting.

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