How To Fix A Hole In The Drywall

At some point, you’re going to damage your wall. It’s inevitable. Maybe you accidentally hit it with a hammer while hanging a picture frame, or your dog damaged it when he ran around the house. No matter how it happened, one thing is for sure: You need to fix that hole in the wall! This article will teach you how to do just that. Read on for a step-by-step guide from patching the hole to finishing it with texture and paint!

Step 1: Assess The Damage

Patching a hole in drywall is a relatively easy and inexpensive repair that can be completed in just a few steps. But before you grab your tools and get to work, it’s important to assess the damage and determine the best way to fix it. Small holes, less than an inch in diameter, can simply be filled with spackle or joint compounds. Larger holes will require a patch, which can be made from a piece of scrap drywall.

Once you’ve determined the size of the hole and the appropriate material for the repair, you can begin patching the hole. Your drywall will be as good as new with a little time and patience.

Step 2: Remove Any Broken Parts Of The Drywall

Once You have assessed the area, the next step is to cut away and remove any damaged area of the drywall. Depending on how large the area is, you will want to cut out a square slightly larger than the damaged area. You can use a utility knife, or a drywall saw for this purpose. Just be sure to cut slowly and evenly so that you don’t damage the surrounding area. It’s also good to have a dustpan and brush handy to clean up any debris.

Step 3: Cut A Patch To Fit The Hole

Now that you have removed the damaged drywall, it’s time to cut a patch to fit the hole. If you’re using a piece of scrap drywall, simply trace the outline of the hole onto the drywall and cut it out with a utility knife or drywall saw. If you’re using a pre-made patch, such as those made from mesh or fiberglass, simply hold it up to the hole and trace around it.

Once you have cut out the patch, test it to make sure it fits snugly into the hole. If it’s too big, trim it down with a utility knife or drywall saw until it’s the right size.

Step 4: Install Backing To Attach The Drywall Patch

The next step in fixing the hole is installing backing to secure the patch you cut. To do this, you will need at least one piece of wood a few inches longer than the width of the hole, potentially two, if you are dealing with a hole longer than 8 to 10 inches. Then, take your piece of wood, place it through the hole, and hold it up against the backside of the existing drywall near the top of the hole. When doing this, make sure that you have at least an inch on each side of the hole to attach it to the existing drywall using screws if you are dealing with a larger patch, repeat this process along the bottom of the hole.

Step 5: Install Your Patch

With step 4 complete, you are now ready to install the patch. Take the patch you cut in step 3 and hold it against the backing you installed in step 4. Then using your screw gun, add at least two to three screws spanning across the backing.

Once you have done this, your patch should be flush or slightly sunk into the wall. If you notice that one side is raised out past the existing wall, you may need to pull it off and install more backing in that area. However, if it looks good, you can take your utility and cut along the outside of the patch at an angle removing any frayed paper of the drywall and creating a small opening for a quick-setting joint compound that you will apply in the next step.

Step 6: Seal The Patch

With your hole now covered, it’s time to bring the wall back to looking like it did before the damage. The first step is applying a quick-setting joint compound and mesh tape. While you can do this without using drywall tools, it will be much easier if you have a proper pan and drywall knife. Most home improvement stores will have these materials and tools for relatively cheap. Once you have everything you need, pour a small amount of the quick-setting joint compound into your pan and mix it with water until you have a smooth consistency.

Then using your 6-inch drywall knife fill all the sides of the patch you installed. This will help secure the patch to the wall. Once this has been set up and become hard, take the mesh tape and apply it across all four sides of the patch. Laying it halfway on both the existing drywall and the patch. Then you will want to mix more quick-setting compounds, and using your 6-inch drywall knife, coat across each piece of the mesh tape covering it completely.

Step 7: Finishing The Patch

Before starting this next step, you will need two different larger drywall knives, typically a 10-inch and 12-inch drywall knife. You will also need some all-purpose joint compound which you will also find at your local home improvement store and will only cost you about $10.

With these supplies in hand, scope out some of the all-purpose compounds into your drywall pan and mix them until it becomes a creamy consistency. Then with your 10-inch knife, smear the all-purpose mixture over the entire patch, and make sure that you flatten the outside edges of the compound so that it blends into the existing wall. Then once this compound has dried completely, repeat this process using the 12-inch knife.

Step 8: Texturing The Patch

Before jumping into texturing, you will need to sand down the dried compound. Using a drywall sponge sander, run it over all the applied combinations until it looks smooth. Then, a slightly damp kitchen sponge wet the compound’s outside edges, further blending it into the existing wall. Once you’ve completed this, you are ready to apply texture. The most common surface found in homes is orange peel, which you can purchase in a spray can. When using this texture, make sure you follow the instructions on the package closely so that it looks as close to the existing texture as possible.

Step 9: Paint Over The Patch

The final step is to paint over the patch to blend in with the rest of the wall completely. To start, you will want to use a primer specifically designed for covering up drywall patches. Once you have applied the primer and it has dried completely, using a brush or roller, apply the paint evenly over the entire area until the patch is no longer visible.

Your Wall Is Fixed!

And there you have it! By following these simple steps, you will be able to quickly, easily, and most importantly, cheaply fix that hole in your drywall! Patching a hole in the drywall may seem like a daunting task, but you’ll be able to do it like a pro with this guide! So the next time you have some damage to your drywall, don’t hesitate to fix it yourself! However, if you find the patch is too large to fix yourself or the texture is too unique, you may need to call a professional to help you fix it and create a matching look.