
Using Bar Soap
- Take a dry bar soap that matches the color of your wall and rub it over the nail hole until the hole is fully covered.
- Use a dry paper towel or your finger to wipe off any excess soap surrounding the hole.
What tools are needed to fix a hole in drywall?
- Clean the hole by removing any loose drywall debris.
- Use a carpenter’s knife to put a beveled edge around the circumference of the hole if it’s larger than a dime.
- Use a damp rag to wipe off any dust.
- Use a putty knife to fill the hole with spackle or joint compound, and then smear the filler to make it flush with the wall.
- Allow the filler to air-dry.
What do I use to fill nail holes in drywall?
- Crush an aspirin tablet in a bowl. ...
- Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste, about 25 inches (0.64cm), into the ground aspirin and mix them into a paste. ...
- Now take the resultant thick paste and apply it to your nail holes using a putty knife, craft stick, or any other handy tool available at your disposal.
How to easily fix screw holes in a drywall?
Instructions
- Inspect and Trim the Face Paper. If any of the face paper on drywall puckers outward, this needs to be trimmed before you cover the holes with joint compound.
- Load the Drywall Knife. ...
- Apply the First Pass. ...
- Apply a Second Coat. ...
- Lightly Sand (If Necessary) Once the second coat is fully dry, run your hand over the patched area. ...
How do you repair a big hole in drywall?
Tools Required
- Drywall sander
- Drywall saw
- Dust mask
- Paintbrush
- Screw gun
- Taping knife
- Utility knife

How do you fill large nail holes in drywall?
8:1515:05Repairing Drywall Anchor holes, Large Holes, Drywall ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWays is to just use your knife. And very lightly go back across if you push very hard it'll justMoreWays is to just use your knife. And very lightly go back across if you push very hard it'll just keep drooping.
How do you fix big nail holes?
Lightly sand the area around the hole to eliminate any excess compound from your second application, and then inspect the hole itself. The paste should only fill the hole and not extend past its edges. If you see extra filler, take care of it with some spot sanding; otherwise, you're all set!
Can you repair large holes in drywall?
1:216:57How to patch and repair drywall - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipChoose a patch that overlaps an inch or two past the edge of the hole. And press it firmly againstMoreChoose a patch that overlaps an inch or two past the edge of the hole. And press it firmly against your drywall.
How do you cover big nail holes in walls?
4:365:51How To Cover up Nail Holes on Walls | Spackle Tips for BeginnersYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo once again you can see a big one like that we just want to push it in make sure everything's.MoreSo once again you can see a big one like that we just want to push it in make sure everything's. Going inside of the wall. And then we're just going to put our patching compound in there.
What is the best filler for nail holes?
Best Putty for Nail Holes3M High Strength Small Hole Repair – Best for Small Hole Repair.E855 Carpenter's Wood Filler – Best Painters Putty for Nail holes-Elmer's.DAP 12346 Drydex 5.5 Oz Raw material – Best for interior and Exterior Use.Minwax 13616000 Wood Putty – Most Trusted Nail hole filler.More items...•
What is the fastest way to fix nail holes in the wall?
0:020:43Quick Fix: How-To Repair Nail Holes in your Walls - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCaulk. This is white painters caulk that you probably have in your home already. And we're justMoreCaulk. This is white painters caulk that you probably have in your home already. And we're just gonna. Take our finger and spread it over and fill the hole.
How big of a drywall hole is too big to patch?
Install the Drywall Patch 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.
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.
How do you fix a big hole in drywall without a patch?
Tiny nail and screw holes are the easiest to fix. Use a putty knife to fill them with spackling or wall joint compound. Allow the area to dry, then sand lightly. Anything larger must be covered with a bridging material for strength before patching compound can be applied.
Can I use caulk to fill nail holes in drywall?
Can You Use Caulk to Fill Nail Holes? While caulking is great for filling gaps or cracks in exterior surfaces, it is not often recommended for filling nail holes in drywall or interior surfaces made of wood. The reason being that over time, the product is flexible and will shrink, leaving a divot in the wall.
Can I use caulk to fill nail holes?
You can use caulk to fill nail holes in painted trim, but caulk tends to be messier and shrinks more than wood filler, and it can't be sanded smooth like filler can. If you use caulk, make sure it is labeled as “paintable,” and don't leave a smear on the wood surface, which might show up after painting.
What household items can I use to patch a large hole in the wall?
Mix a tablespoon of flour, a teaspoon of salt and a few droplets of water in a small container. Mix thoroughly until it forms a paste and apply to the hole or crack as you would joint compound. Use a putty knife or index card to remove the excess while it is still wet and allow the rest to dry.
How can I make my nail hole smaller?
Using Matches or Toothpicks The most common – albeit not professional – way to fill screw holes when you need to make them smaller is by using matches or toothpicks as shims. This method has been used for a long time, but should only be used for holes that won't hold any great weight.
Can you fill nail holes with toothpaste?
Believe it or not, toothpaste works wonders. When the paste dries, it forms a finish similar to spackle. Just squeeze the white paste (not the blue gel) into the hole, and smooth it over with a putty knife.
How do you hide Brad nail holes?
5:208:47My Favorite Nail Filler and How to use It - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd that's it those two nail holes right there are filled that one's filled and then I'll go up hereMoreAnd that's it those two nail holes right there are filled that one's filled and then I'll go up here. On. These two you push it in. And then you just sand. With your finger sand off the excess.
What household items can I use to patch a large hole in the wall?
Mix a tablespoon of flour, a teaspoon of salt and a few droplets of water in a small container. Mix thoroughly until it forms a paste and apply to the hole or crack as you would joint compound. Use a putty knife or index card to remove the excess while it is still wet and allow the rest to dry.
Using Larger Anchors And Oversize Screws
Perhaps the easiest way if you have the necessary hardware to get around the problem of a hole thats too big for a screw is to just use the existing hole, but use wider anchors and matching screws. Depending on the specific situation, a toggle bolt might be the best choice.
Sand The Spackled Area
After the spackle is dry, sand it down with your fine-grit sandpaper. The goal is to get the spackle to be completely flush with the wall. Be careful not to press too hard when youre sanding so that you dont accidentally over-sand and cause a dent in the surface area of the spackle.
How To Fix A Hole In The Wall
Easily repair a hole in the wall of any size with these step by step instructions.
Dry Sand And Prime The Drywall
Allow the joint compound to dry for two to four hours. Apply a second coat of joint compound. If the patch is not blending in well with the surrounding wall, use a broad feathering knife to draw a wide, thin coat farther out on the wall.
How To Fix A Small Hole
A small hole is anything considered about ½ inch to five inches in diameter . For this size job, its best to take advantage of the many wall repair kits available at home improvement stores. Choose a wall kit that fits your size hole. The kit will generally include the following items:
Quick Nail Hole Fixes In A Pinch
Everybody has a tube of toothpaste lying around. You can use toothpaste to fill small nail holes in your wall. Its the fastest way to get the job done.
Filling Large Nail Holes
The process for how to fill nail holes that are a bit larger in size is pretty much the same as filling small nail holes, with the added caveat that youre probably going to want to add some reinforcement by means of adhesive-backed fiberglass mesh tape. Heres how to do it:
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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.
Using Spackling Paste
Spackling paste is one of the most popular and highly effective methods of filling nail holes in drywall.
Using Toothpaste and Aspirin
If you don’t have spackling paste, worry not; here’s a simple DIY substitute for industrially manufactured spackling paste.
Using Bar Soap
Bar soap is another versatile product found in almost every household. It can come in handy when fixing those irritating nail holes on your beautiful interiors. And although bar soaps don’t provide a permanent solution to your drywalls, it comes as a quick-fix option in case of an emergency.
Using Crayons
Wax crayons aren’t only meant for people in the art industry. You can also use them to seal nail holes in your drywall.
Using Baking Soda and Craft Glue
You can also use baking soda to fix nail holes. Here’s how you go about it:
Using Paper Joint Tape
Paper joint tape is another alternative you can use to fill small nail holes on your drywall.
Wrapping It Up
Don’t feel overwhelmed by the ugly nail holes on your beautiful drywall because you can now fix them like a pro with the simple life-saving hacks discussed above.
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.
How to fill a spackled hole?
The best method involves two swipes: one either sideways or downward to fill the hole with compound, followed by a second swipe back in the opposite direction to wipe away the excess.
Can you sand spackling paste?
Note: Some spackling paste is advertised as “paintable when wet,” but it’s best to err on the side of caution. If you don’t give it a chance to dry, you can’t sand it, and without sanding, you can’t be sure the wall is completely free of leftover bumps or depressions that would draw attention to your spackling job.
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.
