What you will need to patch a small hole in drywall. How to repair cracks and holes in drywall drywall damage can range from small cracks to large holes, but most repairs are easy and inexpensive to fix. Find a scrap of drywall thats the same thickness as the damaged drywall, and cut out a squarecornered patch big enough to cover the hole. This guide will help you fix those holes and make your wall look brandnew. Take your utility knife and scrape along the edges of the hole to remove any pieces that may be sticking up. Cut a piece of window screen a few inches longer and wider than the patch, then press it into the compound with the trowel.
We have six different ways to make the repair depending on the size, type and place of the damage. The article drywall sizes gives you some tips on doing that. Then remove the excess wallboard from the patch while leaving just. How to patch drywall patching drywall repair topics. Repairing a plasterboard hole with mesh home guides sf. As an amazon associate i make a small commission from purchases. Take the drywall taping knife and scrape away any part of the hole that is not flush with the wall. Snap the drywall back to the scored lines, and cut the paper backing with the utility knife. How to patch a hole in drywall using a hot patch todays. Joint compound is fine for filling cracks, but wont work for small holes bigger than a quarter. Whether the hole is large or small, repairing damaged drywall is fairly easy. Fixing holes in drywall is a common part of maintaining walls. Repairing large holes in drywall anything over 6 or 8 inchesis different from repairing a small hole in drywall.
Small holes in drywall can usually be filled with a little spackle or joint compound. The screen prevents cracks from forming between the patch and wall. For smaller knicks and holes, try readymade drywall patches or a drywall repair kit to. To make a hot patch, cut a piece of drywall several inches larger than the hole on all sides. Get an extra piece of drywall and cut a patch 2 inches larger than the hole on all sides. Patch small and mediumsized holes with a mesh drywall patch or make a square patch out of a new piece of drywall to fill in larger holes. This is a great tutorial that i put together in march of 2012 on how to repair a mediumsize hole in drywall, and you can find this along with other topnotch articles in the best of opc section found in the right sidebar. Cut a rectangular patch about a halfinch larger than the hole in both dimensions.
Sep 18, 2018 a fast and easy way to patch a large hole in plasterboard walls here is a simple way for repairing a large hole in plasterboard walls. How to patch a hole in the wall patching large and small. With drywall covering just about every square inch of your house, condo, or apartment, its bound to get messed up so take my advice. Using a carpenters square, mark an opening with 90degree corners to be cut around the hole. Cut a piece of drywall slightly smaller than the hole so it fits easily into the hole. Locate the position of the nearest stud or joist on either side of the hole. Grab 1 side, bend it inward and pivot it up to pull it out of the wall. Patching small holes in drywall should only take about ten minutes of work, plus the spackle drying time, which equates almost perfectly to the length of a couple of game of thrones episodes. The challenge of fixing holes in drywall is in covering the gap.
Patching large holes step 1 remove damaged drywall. Fortunately, drywall is fairly easy to repair, but there is an art to it. That combined with the step by step instructions that we provide on this website will make you a drywall patching pro in no time. To patch a large hole, you must install a support brace that you can screw your drywall to. Measure the thickness of the drywall most likely 12 in. Decide whether you want to repaint the whole wall or just touch up patched areas. How to patch a hole in drywall using a hot patch articlevideo how to repair a popped nail in drywall videoarticle video transcript. How to fix a small hole in drywall from 12 to 5 inch hole. Start by using a drywall saw to cut a square around the hole. Learn how to fix another common problem with drywall popped nails in this helpful article. Sep, 2019 if theres one main issue that the modern homeowner must face, its the fact that drywall dents, dings, and breaks quite easily compared to oldfashioned methods of construction. How to patch a small hole in drywall ifixit repair guide. How to patch a hole in the ceiling diy home repair.
But for bigger repairs, you need to cut out the hole to create clean edges, then cut an identically sized patch from a new. Cut it to size and screw it into place, spacing the screws every 6 in. Save yourself time and trouble make the cut out a square or rectangle, even though. The anchors are the plastic anchors that came with the curtain rod set. How to fix large holes in drywall with a patch dummies. How to fix a hole in the wall master contractor and all around good guy ed del grande demonstrates how to fill in a hole and leave a nice, smooth surface ready to touch up with a. Drywall is relatively simple to install and easy to repair. Or, you can grab this drywall repair kit and it includes the spackling, putty knife and sandpaper. Size your backer board so that you can finagle it inside the hole. Spread a thin layer of joint compound on the surface of the drywall surrounding the hole. For a very smooth drywall hole repair, spread a third coat. Fortunately, fixing holes in drywall doesnt require a lot of skill or time.
How to repair cracks and holes in drywall howtos diy. When patching screw holes in textured drywall, you will need to follow up by retexturing the patch. So you somehow got a large hole in the centre of your drywall, there are no studs near by and the hole is too large for traditional patchwork to cover. How to patch a small hole in drywall the turquoise home. Over time, gypsumboard walls can sustain ugly cracks or holes. Cut a scrap of plywood the same height as the patch but several inches longer. Then use a firm putty knife or patching spatula to apply joint compound along the seams. While small holes in drywall can be repaired by filling the hole with spackling or joint compound, larger holes will require a patch made from scrap drywall. Its easy to fix small holes in drywall, such as nail holes, using spackling compound, and holes larger than 5 inches in diameter usually require a drywall patch.
In the guide, you will go through the steps of drilling, filling, and painting a small hole in your damaged drywall. Now your new drilled hole will be just as strong as the wood behind it is held, probably 4x a single screw in drywall. How to fix small holes in drywall with a patch dummies. Make sure you have the right thickness of drywall for the patch, usually 12, sometimes 38 or 58. Holes larger than 6 can be repaired with a piece of drywall and drywall compound but should have reinforcing wood strips installed in the. You want to make it so when you run your hand over the. The main thing is that you want to get the right size drywall for the patch. Thankfully, theres a host of different patch kits available which will let even an amateur readily take care of the issue, and weve brought the best ones read more about the best drywall patch repair kits. So some angry door knob has knocked a hole in your wall. See professionally prepared estimates for drywall hole repair work.
Check the material of the patch when looking for repair kits. Well, this hole can be dealt with using drywall tape and compound, replacing drywall is not required. Small holes can be patched over with drywall tape or a selfadhesive drywall patch, but large holes need a more rigid material to span over the larger opening. Heres a large hole drywall repair kit if your hole is between 35 how to patch a small. How to patch big holes in walls with expanding foam hunker. Follow these tips for a quick patch to any wall in your house. Drywall mud comes in four basic types, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Whether from door knobs, roughhousing kids or overzealous plumbing or electrical repairs, holes happen. But we fixed it up by patching holes tiny, medium, and big ones, repairing corners, and painting.
How to repair a hole in drywall using a hot patch youtube. Allow for about 8 of string between the board and the stick. That leaves the midsized holes, from 1 to 5 inches in diameter, such as the one a doorknob would make. The challenge of patching holes in drywall is in covering the gap. If you read through the comments, youll find some alternative drywall repair suggestions, and some of them are valid options. The skills that you need are not that hard to learn. Some holes are large enough that youll need to replace a section of drywall. Place the patch over the hole in your wall and use a pencil to trace its outline around the gypsum dont include the paper hang over when you are tracing. Put the piece of wood into the hole in the wall and pull it flush against the back edges of.
For large holes, cut a piece of drywall slightly larger than hole. Cut a piece of drywall thats 2 larger than the hole to be repaired. If the hole is less than 4 inches wide, use a peelandstick patch to cover. How to patch a large hole in drywall fine homebuilding. Get fair costs for your specific project requirements. Cut a piece of fiberglass mesh or metal patching at least 1 inch larger than the hole on all sides. How to repair drywall how to fix a hole in the wall. Sand lightly with a finegrit sandpaper and apply a second layer of joint compound to finish the repair. I dont think the rod and curtains weigh that much but the store worker said the filled in drywall wont be as strong as untouched drywall. Run strips of selfadhesive fiberglass drywall tape around the patch. You also need to make your hole a perfect rectangle, so it may require cutting into your wall. One way to repair a hole in drywall without enlarging it to the adjoining joists is by using what is known as a hot patch.
Its fine to fill screw holes and other small wall dings with patching compound, but for. First, remove the damaged drywall by cutting a rectangular piece out around the damaged area. Allow the repair to dry, then sand smooth and apply two or three more coats of compound. The repair must follow procedures dictated by the severity of the damage. With the right supplies, its a cinch to get your wall back to its original condition. How to patch a large hole in drywall patching drywall. Simple sheetrock repair how to fix a hole in the wall youtube.
Like covering a hole in your jeans, patching drywall aims to cover a problem area and reinforce the original structure and appearance. Square up the sides of the hole using a drywall saw andor utility knife. This article is going to walk you through the process of repairing a mediumsized hole in drywall. Apply a liberal amount of nonshrink joint compound to the area with a putty knife, then pull the knife blade toward you in one steady, smooth motion. A small tube or tub of lightweight joint compound or spackling should be included in your kit. Coat entire patch with joint compound, then use 12inchwide drywall knife to smooth the compound. How to patch a hole in your drywall the art of manliness. Scrape away any excess material and allow the patched area to dry completely. Scrape the excess off the surrounding wall so you dont build up a hump. Joint compound is usually used for taping drywall seams, but you can also use it for patching holes since its easy to sand. This project guide will show you how to patch drywall in a few easy steps. Then, spread compound over the backer to hide the hole.
Repair small to medium size holes in drywall and wallboard. Remove the pieces of drywall and trim around the edges of the hole. To repair a small hole in drywall, trim away any frayed areas with a utility knife, then lightly wet the repair area with a spray bottle of water. Well here is a instructable on how i fix larger holes and it works very well. How to repair drywall how to fix a hole in the wall if you make as many homemade toys and weapons as this channel makes, you are bound to get a hole in the wall. Cans of sprayon texture are available that allow you to spottexture sections of your wall.
Put the scrap drywall in place and screw it to the backers. Consider these points and plan your purchases accordingly. Home improvement expert danny lipford shows you how to use a hot patch to. The challenge when patching a hole is actually holding the drywall patch in place while the compound dries. Finish it off with your matching paint color and youre done. Use a 6inch taping knife to trowel a thin layer of joint compound over the patch, the seams, and the screwheads. Spread a thin layer of joint compound on the surface of the drywall surrounding the hole and butter the edges of the hole.
Patch drywall if youre setting out to patch drywall, whether the problem at hand is a few nail holes or a large gash, these simple tips can help you restore a smooth surface ready for paint. Feather the edges of the compound and allow it to dry. How to repair a mediumsize hole in drywall one project. It is not uncommon to have minor holes in your drywall from kids, accidents, or simple wear and tear. Fill holes in the walls caused by hanging pictures with a putty stick, available at home supply stores. From small dents to large holes, there are several ways to fix surface.
It is possible that it was first done somewhere in california and as it was used across the united states, it. Its also handy for repairing cracks and holes in existing drywall and plaster surfaces. Drywall repair kits overview generally, most patch kits for drywall come with the following main components. Place the patch over the hole and pencil its outline on the damaged wall. A full list of tools and materials for fixing drywall can be found below. Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market. Knowing how to patch drywall will save you a lot of money. Small holes made by common nails such as those youd use to hang a photo or piece of art can easily be filled and dont require sanding.
Follow these stepbystep instructions to repair seriously damaged drywall. Once you master this skill, itll serve you well for the rest of your life or until people quit hanging drywall in their homes. You can also glue it in place with hot melt glue, or use screws plus construction adhesive. To fix a large hole in drywall, make a clean cutout around the hole and insert a replacement piece of wallboard into the hole. You want to cover the hole with a drywall patch, by first cutting a piece of drywall that fits inside of the hole using a small rotary tool, a drywall saw. Center the patch over the hole and trace its shape onto the wall. Its also easy to repair badly, which can leave a lumpy mess that declares shoddy to anyone who enters the room. Drywall repair kits usually provide 4x4 drywall patches to cover the hole. I had a similar problem when i was mounting shelves. Sometimes when i travel ill call drywall repair companies to pick their brains as far as technique and price go, im amazed to find out that some are still not using hot mud and making several trips to accomplish the same task. Draw an x on the wall above the hole and an arrow on the patch that points at the x so youll know how to orient the patch in step 6. Both parts have their challenges, and both have tried and true techniques that make the patch strong and virtually disappear.
You will only need a few simple tools to repair the drywall. When i was taught, we called it a blow out patch but they are also known as an elephant patch, california patch, hot patch, soul patch, newfie. This is my super easy and effective patch for holes up to 8 inches. Hold the drywall patch over hole and trace its outline onto the wall. Youll find crackrepair spray at hardware stores, paint stores or online. Repair holes to the walls that have been damaged near the bottom of the wall by covering with them with fiberglass drywall tape and coating with drywall compound. Either way, cover the patch up with 2 coats of spackling, sanding after each coat, then prime the patch with a waterbased primer before painting over it. Using a drill, create two small holes through this piece of board, feed some string through and tie both ends of the string to a stick tie in the middle. Learn the right way to repair holes in your drywall or make friends with someone who can. See typical tasks and time to repair drywall holes, along with per unit costs and material requirements. Next, snap off the loose drywall, but leave the loose paper on the back.
How to repair drywall how to fix a hole in the wall youtube. A butterfly patch is more durable than a patch kit, but you will need to use a piece of drywall to make it, so the process is a little more involved. Using a putty knife, work the paper edge down into the compound. May 01, 2012 learn the right way to repair holes in your drywall or make friends with someone who can. Holes up to about 12 can be filled with most wall patching compounds, such as drywall compound or light duty spackle. Oct 14, 2019 from small dents to large holes, there are several ways to fix surface defects on your walls. Then remove the excess wallboard from the patch while leaving just the paper intact. One method is to tie a piece of string onto a wooden strip that is longer than the hole is wide. Small holes such as those caused by a doorknob can be repaired by patching. If the hole is less than 4 inches wide, use a peelandstick patch. Then patch it with the larger drywall piece you cut out if you cut it out carefully.
For smaller knicks and holes, try readymade drywall patches or a drywall repair kit to repair drywall. Make a butterfly patch to repair drywall 1 inch to 4 inch wide hole option 2. If the hole is relatively small, you can put fiberglass mesh drywall tape over the hole, and then put drywall compound onto the tape. You want to cover the hole with a drywall patch, by first cutting a piece of drywall that fits inside of the hole using a small rotary tool, a drywall saw, or a jig saw. A california drywall patch is one of the most common ways of repairing small to medium sized holes in drywall. Apply selfadhesive drywall tape along the patch seams. Use a 6inch drywall taping knife to spread drywall joint compound across. Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by. How to repair a hole in drywall california patch youtube. How to repair a mediumsize hole in drywall one project closer. Patching larger holes if you are dealing with larger holes, you have a couple of options.
Turn the patch over and score four lines, snap it, and peel off the gypsum core. The first coat will shrink a bit, leaving a slightly smaller dent to be filled by the second coat. May 14, 2015 how to repair drywall how to fix a hole in the wall if you make as many homemade toys and weapons as this channel makes, you are bound to get a hole in the wall. Press the patch into place over the hole, apply another layer of compound over the patch, and smooth its surface with your jointknife edge. Apply a thin layer of joint compound around the hole. Patching drywall quick techniques and howto home repair. Drywall repair kits drywall repair tools drywall the.
To patch a large hole in the ceiling, use two or three pieces of drywall. Whether or not this type of drywall repair originated in california is not clear. Use fiberglass mesh for small holes between 12 and 1. With 5 minute mud my repair time was cut in half which has increased my daily volume dramatically. To maintain the integrity of the surface membrane, a gypsum panel product patch must be mechanically secured in the diaphragm. How to patch a hole in the wall simple practical beautiful. How to repair drywall drywall repair tips sheetrock repair. A popped nail isnt holding in the stud and backs out of the drywall. You can trim your patch with heavyduty scissors for smaller holes. The patch will be smooth and flat, while the textured part of the wall will be bumpy. Drywall mud, also called joint compound, is a gypsumbased paste used to finish drywall joints and corners in new drywall installations. Draw along the inside edges of the two studs or joists that flank the hole, and along any framing. You can also use a razor if you dont have a power tool. I finally found it while cleaning house on one of my data drives so here it is so, unless you need to repair a hole, disregard this video.
While metal patches are more durable than most other types, theyre not as suitable for wet environments. Drywall is also known as wallboard, gypsum board, and sheetrock. Heres a quick trick that uses hot glue and a popsicle stick to hold a minimal drywall patch and get that hole fixed in a jiffy. Let the compound dry overnight, and then sand until smooth. Score the lines with a utility knife, then use a wallboard saw to cut from the hole to each corner of the scored rectangle. Continue the process until all of the sides have been removed. Score the lines with a utility knife, then use a wallboard saw to cut from. Work the joint compound thoroughly into the drywall tape crevices and the patch seams. Remember, you have to patch over your head onto the ceiling, so fast setting compound is best. Im trying to drill holes for screw to hold a curtain rod and use anchors in the drywall.