How Leigh Became a Drywaller

Leaks suck. Water damage in your home is messy, anxiety-producing, and looks awful. I know this firsthand. An upstairs plumbing mishap (since fixed!) once sent water dripping into my downstairs kitchen and pantry, leaving what looked like a long, ominous crack in the ceiling. At the time, I had no idea how serious the damage was, whether part of the ceiling needed to be replaced, or even who to call.

Now I do.

Fast forward a year, and I’m a graduate of Hope Renovations, a local trades training program dedicated to developing talent in the construction industry. Along the way I learned how to read blueprints, tile, handle basic plumbing and electrical work, execute cut lists, and operate more power tools than I knew existed (so many different kinds of saws!).

Most importantly, I learned how to properly assess, patch, and repair drywall including my own ceiling (see the photo grid below!)

And I came to love it.

There’s something deeply satisfying about taking something that looks daunting, dinged, and maybe damned, and making it disappear.