Repairing Guides

how to repair dry wall hole

by Eleazar Krajcik Jr. Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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  • Run strips of self-adhesive fiberglass drywall tape around the edges of the patch, centering the tape on the seams.
  • Use a 6-inch drywall knife to spread drywall joint compound across the patch and tape to create a smooth, flat surface.
  • Let the compound dry overnight, then sand until smooth.
  • Repeat with a second coat.
  • For a very smooth drywall hole repair, spread a third coat with a 12-inch drywall taping knife and let dry overnight before sanding.
  • Wipe the patched area with a tack cloth before painting the wall.

How to fix a large hole in your drywall?

Method 2 Method 2 of 2: Patching with a New Piece of Drywall Download Article

  1. Cut the hole into a neat square or rectangle. Home Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. ...
  2. Create a patch out of drywall that is 2 in (5.1 cm) taller than the hole. ...
  3. Put a screw through the middle of the patch to make a handle. ...
  4. Apply construction adhesive to the bottom and top edges of the patch. ...

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How do you repair a hole in drywall?

Tools Required

  • Drywall sander
  • Drywall saw
  • Dust mask
  • Paintbrush
  • Screw gun
  • Taping knife
  • Utility knife

What tools do you need to repair drywall?

  • Cut out a square piece of new drywall that’s slightly larger than the hole.
  • Put this piece on top of the area that needs to be patched, and trace around it with a pencil.
  • Use a drywall saw to cut out the damaged drywall along your trace lines.
  • Place the furring strips through the hole. ...

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How much does it cost to repair drywall?

Yet, we’ve since learned how much dust and cobwebs they hold onto, how difficult they are to paint, and, if necessary, repair ... and the cost of materials and labor. 'Covering a popcorn ceiling costs around the same amount as any other drywall project ...

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Can you repair drywall holes?

2:4915:38How to Fix Holes in Drywall - 4 Easy Methods - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSimilar with the first one you can buy a large patch that's a mesh adhesive patch like this one hereMoreSimilar with the first one you can buy a large patch that's a mesh adhesive patch like this one here we can actually just apply this eight by eight patch over the whole thing.

How do you repair a large drywall hole?

Fix Large HolesStep 1: Cut Out a Piece of Drywall to Use as the Patch. ... Step 2: Trace the Patch Size Over the Hole. ... Step 3: Cut Out the Hole. ... Step 4: Attach Furring Strips Inside the Hole. ... Step 5: Attach the Patch to Furring Strips. ... Step 6: Apply Joint Tape to the Patch. ... Step 7: Apply Joint Compound.

How do you fix a drywall hole for beginners?

0:318:18How To Patch a Hole in Drywall (For Beginners) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou need some mesh tape to start finishing that surface of the drywall. And then you're gonna needMoreYou need some mesh tape to start finishing that surface of the drywall. And then you're gonna need some compound to fill the cracks. And the holes and the mesh tape.

What repairs drywall holes?

0:033:09How to Repair Drywall - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGot a few holes in your walls fix your damaged drywall with these simple repair tips small dings andMoreGot a few holes in your walls fix your damaged drywall with these simple repair tips small dings and dents are easy scrape away loose debris apply lightweight spackle.

What is the fastest way to fix a hole in the wall?

0:211:48How To Fix a Hole in the Wall - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThese plaster patches are super easy to attach. You simply peel off the back and stick it onto theMoreThese plaster patches are super easy to attach. You simply peel off the back and stick it onto the wall. Just smooth down the edges even grab your spatula to make sure it's really smooth.

How big is too big for spackle?

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.

What kind of putty is used for drywall?

Joint compound, also called drywall compound, is a putty that has the consistency of plaster and is designed for larger jobs. Joint compound is made by mixing gypsum dust and water into a paste. It's usually comes in a pre-mixed container for your convenience and is commonly used for taping and finishing drywall seams.

How do you spackle drywall holes?

0:453:04How to fill and spackle holes in drywall. Fixing a hole in sheet rock ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipInto your exterior spackle. And press it in so it fills up that hole. Take our whines back and.MoreInto your exterior spackle. And press it in so it fills up that hole. Take our whines back and. Right. Once that holds level in smooth.

How do I fill a hole in the wall?

Mix filler with a small amount of clean water and stir to a smooth, creamy consistency. Dip 2 inches of the edge of the filling knife into the spackling paste and apply a thin layer on the wall in one horizontal stroke. Press firmly to ensure that the mud fills the screw hole. PRO TIP: The coats shrink as they dry.

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.

Why do drywall screws pop up?

But drywall screws sometimes pop up too, as a result of damp framing that dries out and shrinks during the first year or two in new construction. The first step of how to patch a small hole in the wall is to drive nails back down using a nail set.

How to get a hump out of tape?

Squeeze some, but not all, of the compound out from under the tape so you don’t create a big hump on the wall. Immediately apply a light coating to the topside of the tape, tapering it out onto the wall.

Tips

If you have a hole that is too large to repair with spackle, repair it with a square piece of drywall tape. Use joint compound to stick it to the wall. Cover it with a layer of joint compound and sand when dry. [37]

About This Article

This article was co-authored by Allen Lee. Allen Lee is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Honest Lee Handyman Services, a licensed and insured handyman business servicing Sacramento, California, and surrounding areas.

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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.

How thick is drywall for a repair?

Be sure to use drywall that matches the original wall thickness. Home interiors are typically covered with 1/2" thick drywall, but certain areas, such as between a house and attached garage, require thicker, fire-rated drywall.

What is the bead on drywall called?

Outer drywall corners are reinforced with metal or plastic edging, called corner bead. Although this bead is damage-resistant, a sharp knock can cause the drywall compound that covers it to crack or chip off, and a strong enough shock can dent or bend the corner bead. Usually, the damage is confined to a short section that can be cut away and replaced.

Why is my tape cracking?

If the tape is intact and well-adhered , the crack was probably caused by the old drywall compound drying and shrinking. Simply fill the crack with new compound. When applying the compound, hold the knife at a 70-degree angle and swipe across the crack.

Does drywall crack?

Unlike plaster, drywall has a seamless paper covering that rarely cracks or splits. When a crack appears, it is usually on a seam where two drywall sheets meet, and it is easily fixed.

How to repair drywall: small holes, cracks, and dents

If that heavy picture pulled your screw through the drywall or years of old nail holes are starting to build up, give them a quick touch-up using just a few, inexpensive tools.

How to repair drywall: medium-sized holes

For holes that are under four inches in diameter but too large to fill with spackle, use a drywall repair kit. These kits typically include all of the tools you’ll need to complete the repair on your own.

How to repair drywall: large holes

For larger holes in your drywall that are bigger than four inches in diameter, you won’t be able to use putty or spackle to repair them. When repairing larger drywall holes, you’ll likely need to cut out some of the existing drywall. For this step, be cautious and avoid cutting any wires that run behind the walls.

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