Repairing Guides

how to repair a big hole in sheetrock

by Eloisa Schaefer Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  1. Prepare Your Wood and Test Fit. Locate your piece of wood. This will be the part that actually 'plugs' the hole. ...
  2. Apply Hot Glue and Quickly Move Into Position. Apply hot glue to the side of the wood that will be facing you; the side that will be snugging ...
  3. Cut a Sheetrock 'Plug' Take a scrap piece of sheetrock and cut a small piece just smaller than the hole's opening. ...
  4. Hot Glue the Sheetrock 'Plug' Into Place. Test fit the piece of sheetrock to make sure it fits all the way down into the hole until it bottoms ...
  5. Fill the Remaining Gaps With Joint Compound. Take your joint compound and fill all the gaps between the sheetrock 'plug' and the surrounding sheetrock.
  6. Sand the Dried Joint Compound

Part of a video titled How to patch and repair drywall - YouTube
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6:57
You'll have a rough edge around your cut the sand and wipe it down if there aren't studs behind yourMoreYou'll have a rough edge around your cut the sand and wipe it down if there aren't studs behind your hole attach a 1 by 4 inside your wall and screw your drywall patch to that.

Full Answer

How to patch large holes in sheetrock?

Let dry and apply a second coat of joint compound if necessary. Sand the surface until smooth, wipe away any dust, and paint. For large holes, you’ll need to patch the area with a fresh piece of drywall backed by a wood support. Be sure to use drywall that is the same thickness as the existing material.

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What tools are needed to fix a hole in drywall?

Other Tools That Are Nice to Have:

  • Keyhole Saw
  • Drywall Screw Gun
  • Cordless Drill
  • Drywall T square
  • Rasp
  • RotoZip ®
  • Ten Inch Drywall Knife
  • Halogen Light
  • Sanding Pole

Do it yourself sheetrock repair?

“Small interior wall cracks that occur from settling and other damage like dents and holes can be patched relatively easily with a do-it-yourself drywall repair kit,” he says.

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How big of a hole can you patch in drywall?

6 inchesFix Large Holes For holes larger than 6 inches, you'll create a drywall patch with a different attachment method for the repair.

How do you patch a large hole in drywall without studs?

1:112:14Patching Holes in Drywall With No Anchor Points - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou also want to make sure that you countersink your screws in a little bit that way when you putMoreYou also want to make sure that you countersink your screws in a little bit that way when you put mud over the top it's going to cover up those holes you want to take your piece of drywall.

How do you fix a 6 inch hole in drywall?

2:5815:38How to Fix Holes in Drywall - 4 Easy Methods - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo that's option number one for your first coat option number two is what's called the presto patchMoreSo that's option number one for your first coat option number two is what's called the presto patch the presto patch is a really simple idea basically it's a four inch circle of half inch drywall.

How do you fix a 3 inch hole in drywall?

0:1810:00How to Patch Holes in Drywall, Big and Small - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo this is just a common screw hole just take a small putty knife. And kind of go over it differentMoreSo this is just a common screw hole just take a small putty knife. And kind of go over it different directions and then we have some patch.

What can I use instead of drywall patch?

5:1347:02DIY - Drywall Patching Alternative - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd where you joint tape where you put it in the joints of your drywall. It's actually adhesive it'sMoreAnd where you joint tape where you put it in the joints of your drywall. It's actually adhesive it's got a it's sticky on the back so you get sticks right on just like tape.

How do you fill big holes in walls?

How to fill deep holes in wallClean the hole making sure you remove all loose materials. ... Use a flat edged filling tool to push the filler into the crack. ... Smooth it with a wet knife.Check the instructions to see how long it takes to dry – this should typically be around one or two hours.More items...

What's the difference in sheetrock and drywall?

Drywall is a flat panel made of gypsum plaster sandwiched in between two sheets of thick paper. It adheres to metal or wood studs using nails or screws. Sheetrock is a specific brand of drywall sheet. These terms are often used interchangeably.

What is a California patch?

0:182:15How To Repair a Drywall Hole Using the California Patch - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe no cladding patch is known in some areas as the California patch. It doesn't require a backing.MoreThe no cladding patch is known in some areas as the California patch. It doesn't require a backing. And it works great for holes approximately.

What household items can I use to patch a large hole in the wall?

Squeeze a small amount of white toothpaste into the hole and smooth over the surface using a putty knife or index card. White bar soap can be used in a similar fashion. Dampen the bar of soap and rub it over the hole until it is filled. Use an index card to remove the excess material.

How big of a hole can you fill with joint compound?

Preparing the Drywall Area. Use spackle to repair holes less than 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. Spackle can be used to repair holes up to the size of your hand. You will have to use a support like mesh or wire to repair holes larger than 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter.

How do you repair a 12 hole drywall?

6:179:50How to Repair a Large Drywall Hole Video - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake your knife is cutting. And just cuz pressing firmly onto the scene. And take a little drywall.MoreTake your knife is cutting. And just cuz pressing firmly onto the scene. And take a little drywall. And just basically go over via tape to work it in.

Can spackling be used instead of joint compound?

Both products are white, thick, and have a paste-like consistency. So, what's the difference between them? Spackle and joint compound are often used interchangeably, and they do perform similar functions—and they're even often used together on drywall projects.

How do you secure drywall without studs?

0:453:29How to mount drywall without studs -DIY Daddy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll you need is a cordless drill or drywall drill an inch and a quarter inch. And a quarter drywallMoreAll you need is a cordless drill or drywall drill an inch and a quarter inch. And a quarter drywall screws and basically your mobile lot be running the board your piece of strapping.

What household items can I use to patch a large hole in the wall?

Squeeze a small amount of white toothpaste into the hole and smooth over the surface using a putty knife or index card. White bar soap can be used in a similar fashion. Dampen the bar of soap and rub it over the hole until it is filled. Use an index card to remove the excess material.

How do you attach wood to drywall without studs?

If you are securing wood to drywall where no studs are backing the wall, or you don't want to mar the appearance of your wood with screws, use a high-strength construction adhesive. Construction adhesive will bond the wood permanently to the drywall.

What is a California patch?

0:182:15How To Repair a Drywall Hole Using the California Patch - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe no cladding patch is known in some areas as the California patch. It doesn't require a backing.MoreThe no cladding patch is known in some areas as the California patch. It doesn't require a backing. And it works great for holes approximately.

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Prepare the Opening

Trim the edges of the hole to create straight sides and a square or rectangular overall shape. Use a framing square and a pencil to mark cutting lines on the drywall. Then cut along the lines with a drywall saw.

Warning

Make sure there is no wiring or plumbing behind the drywall surface before cutting by looking through the hole with a flashlight.

Install the Backing Strips

Cut two pieces of lumber or plywood a few inches longer than the long sides of the hole (if it's a rectangle). Place one piece into the hole, parallel to one of the long sides, so the strip is centered over the drywall edge (half is behind the drywall and half is exposed).

Install the Drywall Patch

Cut a piece of drywall to fit the hole. It doesn't have to be a snug fit, but the seams should be not more than about 1/8 inch wide. Position the patch over the hole and secure it to the backing strips with screws. Keep the screws about 1 inch from the edges of the patch and space them 6 inches apart.

Tape the Seams

Cut strips to length of drywall joint tape using a utility knife. Cover each seam with a strip of joint tape. Overlap the tape strips at the corners. Make sure the tape lies flat, with no wrinkles or bulges.

Mud the Seams

Cover the drywall tape with a thin layer of drywall joint compound, using a 6-inch drywall knife. You should be able to see the mesh through the compound. Let the compound dry. Then scrape the surface with the knife to remove any burrs or clumps.

Step 1: Make a Drywall Patch From Sheetrock

Take a small square piece of sheetrock and draw a plug the same size as the hole in the wall on the back of the sheetrock. Cut the plug out leaving the front paper of the sheetrock intact.

Step 2: Place the Patch Plug in the Hole

Place the patch into the hole in the wall to see if it fits. If it fits then pull it out a little and apply drywall compoundto the brown side of the paper and put it back into the hole.

Step 3

Apply an even layer of drywall compound over the entire patch and let it dry for at least twelve hours.

Step 4

Apply a second coat of drywall compound to make an even surface. Let this dry for at least twelve hours.

Step 6

You might have to match the wall texture. You can do this with an air compressor and hopper. You might be able to find spray on wall textures which makes it much easier.

Step 8

You can find these handy tips along with many other home construction ideas at www.make-my-own-house.com

Can you spray paint a hole with joint compound?

Just as it’s better when spray-painting something to use several thin coats of paint rather than attempting to cover the surface with one thick coat of paint, repairing a large hole with joint compound produces a better result if the compound is applied in several thin coats.

Is the white area of drywall still damp?

The darker gray area is still damp while the white area is completely dry. The joint compound needs to be totally dry before you begin sanding. Once the first coat was dry, I donned a dust mask like this one and got busy sanding with my drywall sanding sponge.

Small Dents and Dings

Scrape away loose debris from the hole. Cover the hole or dent with fast-drying spackle to bring the spackle level with the drywall surface and let it dry 24 hours -- or the time recommended by the manufacturer’s instructions. Sand smooth.

Popped Nail Heads

A popped nail isn't holding in the stud and backs out of the drywall, creating a popped nail head.

Small Holes

For small holes, like those created by a doorknob, a patch kit may be used.

Large Holes

For holes larger than 6 inches, you'll create a drywall patch with a different attachment method for the repair.

Corner Bead Patch

Corner bead is used where two pieces of drywall meet to form a corner. Corner bead is available in a variety of materials, including metal, paper and vinyl.

Finish the Repair

You're almost done. Here's where you make it look like nothing happened.

Repair Textured Drywall

Textured drywall is a bit more complicated, but still pretty simple to repair.

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