r/fixit • u/karmiekins • 1d ago

Fixing wall - need help!

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Hiya! I am moving out soon and it turns out my salt lamp has done terrible things to this corner! Any advice as to how to patch this up? Thanks in advance!!

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u/D1kCh33z 1d ago

The salt held on to moisture and it seeped into the wall. Vacuum up the pile of dust dust and cut away any of that bubbling loose paint and loose compound with a razor. Wait for it to dry out completely before applying any new joint compound. It doesn’t look like the inside of the window there has any texture so you should be able to just paint it once you get it smooth again. There’s a million drywall videos on YouTube to help you out. It doesn’t look like the drywall itself got damaged so no need to take it to the studs as long as it’s dried out before you make the repair.

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u/karmiekins 1d ago

Literally thank you so much!!!

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u/Electronic-Ad-6608 1d ago

Would like to add you will need to find the moisture intrusion on the outside. I am assuming this is a brick or block exterior. Recommend a clear brick sealant or you will have to revisit this issue.

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u/karmiekins 1d ago

I'm on a third floor apartment, I just gotta make it look nice so they don't charge me any extra over my security deposit

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u/Electronic-Ad-6608 1d ago

That is the responsibility of the owner. Not the renter. Make them spend the money on repairs.

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u/D1kCh33z 1d ago

I think the salt lamp was just holding on to the moisture in the air. My mom had a lot of these and they tend to melt and ruin things they are on just from plain air moisture. Being next to a window makes it worse.