Ceiling hole temporary fix

[Adam F.]

Hey everyone,

My upstairs tenant had some leak issues from the attic this past week due to a leaky AC unit. The leak was just resolved, but as a result there are 2 big holes in the ceiling (about 1’x2’). The HVAC guy recommended waiting a week before officially patching the holes to make sure the unit doesn’t leak again.

I’m looking for suggestions on how to temporarily cover these holes for the tenant until I can get a drywall guy in to fix them. Right now I taped a garbage bag up there. Anything better I can be doing? Thanks.

[Steve DellaPelle]

@Adam F. Has the tenant mentioned anything? If they are okay with the temporary garbage bag then you probably can get away with it until you decide to patch it up for good.

[Aaron Sauer]

Why not just screw new drywall in place, and wait to have your drywall guy mud it until the leak is surely repaired?  Measure the existing drywall (it will be 3/8", 1/2", or 5/8") and head to Home Depot or Lowes.  They sell 2'x2' pieces of drywall.  Get the same thickness you measured.  Use a keyhole saw to find the ceiling joists nearest the hole.  Measure the distance.  Cut the new drywall patch 1.5" bigger (just score the paper with a utility knife, snap the board at the line, and cut thru the tape on the other side).  Hold it over the patch area and trace its outline on the damaged ceiling.  Cut out the area to be replaced with keyhole saw and utility knife.  Fasten with slightly countersunk 1 5/8" coarse thread drywall screws.  Enjoy your savings and aesthetically pleasing (well, more than a trash bag at least) patch!

[Adam F.]

@Steve DellaPelle @Aaron Sauer I ended up just taping / stapling some poster board over the garbage bags. Seemed like the cheapest and quickest fix until I can get the work done. Aaron thanks for the tips on replacing the drywall myself, however I'm going to hire it out.

I got an quote to repair and paint the 2 holes for $750. Does that sound reasonable?

[Dennis M.]

Geez you could do this yourself in a couple hours and use that money for a better cause .No way I’d pay that . YouTube can show the whole process. It’s not hard nor costly to DIY this project 

[Adam F.]

@Dennis M. the problem is I’m going to be away for 2 weeks and need it done ASAP. JW what a fair price for something like this would be 

[Adam F.]

@Dennis M. I think if the unit was vacant It wouldn’t be as urgent and I would be more willing to learn on the job DIY, but with tenants in there I just feel I need it done quickly and right and am willing to pay. However 750 does seem high to me. May need to shop around

[Dennis M.]

Originally posted by @Adam F.:

@Dennis M. I think if the unit was vacant It wouldn’t be as urgent and I would be more willing to learn on the job DIY, but with tenants in there I just feel I need it done quickly and right and am willing to pay. However 750 does seem high to me. May need to shop around

 Should take a day to cut and fit drywall with mud then another day to sand and finish . I’d say closer to 400$ but some contractors will want 300-400 per day so you gotta find a reasonable balance . Personally I hire a handyman at 15$ an hour or 140 a day 

[Jim K.]

@Adam F.

Just buy a sheet of drywall and cut two big squares out of it with a utility knife by scoring and snapping the drywall. Put the squares over the holes. Attach to the ceiling with 1 1/4 in. drywall screws. Then call a handyman who works by the hour, as @Dennis M. suggests. This is not a complicated repair.

[Adam F.]

Thanks for the advice. I may give it a shot. All three quotes came in at $750

[Matthew Paul]

To repair the drywall then paint ,I think the $750 is on the cheaper side .  1 trip to look at it , 1 trip to pick up materials and repair and 1st coat of mud , 1 trip for second coat of mud , and 1 trip to sand and paint the entire ceiling .  I would be quite a bit more .

[Aaron Sauer]

Skype to see the damage, bring common sizes of materials and quick drying 20 minute mud, get three coats on and sanded in one day. May even be able to prime and paint, or have owner hire a painter.

[Michael Simolke]

@Adam F. $750 wow way way over priced. Do it yourself in 20 minutes.

[Michael Simolke]

@Adam F. If you really aren’t comfortable doing it yourself, no problem.. figure out all the materials needed to buy them yourself and have them staged then pay someone by the hour who can do it in an hour. I buy the materials for all the work I have done. If your paying someone $80 an hour and they take an hour at Lowe’s and an hour “driving” your losing money. Always do as much as you can then let the pros make it sexy!