How to Patch a Hole in Drywall

Well, I have seen enough of repair works at my home and one thing I have always noticed are the nettlesome holes that are caused after the repairs are over. Mostly, I have seen that during electrical repair works. After the electrician pulls out the outlet box to replace it with a new one, there it is - those pesky, expected holes in the wall. The reason being is a dry wall. Sometimes I really hate the sight of it. Feel the aesthetics get compromised due to the repair works. Many times, simple actions in the house too, cause a hole in the drywall. Like when ordinary doors of your house get swung open at times, in case of (emergency or anger!) they get slammed at the wall and due to the doorknobs present, a hole is likely to come around. Whether that happens now or later, patching a hole in drywall or perhaps a ceiling must be known.

If it's sure to be a drywall then I am certain it cannot withstand extreme tension. Either there would be a large hole or a small hole which would be formed. The simplest way in knowing how to repair drywall is to measure the size of the damaged hole and purchase a drywall kit from a hardware store for yourself. Apparently, there are different types and sizes of kits available for different patches. If you are working on patching a hole in drywall ceiling, the material for the same is thicker. In any case, before you begin to use the kit by applying the paint, or any sort of covering to the hole, get rid of the dangling, unwanted materials present around the edges of the hole.

I shall explain both the methods, i.e patching small hole and patching large hole in drywall. For now let's begin with repairing a large hole in drywall.

Repairing Large Holes in Drywall

Required Materials

• Utility knife
• Small board
• Scrap piece of drywall
• Pencil keyhole saw
• Putty knife
• Flathead screws
• Screwdriver
• Sandpaper
• Drywall compound (glue)
• Paintbrushes
• Paint and primer

Procedure

Step #1: This is practically the first step in the books of patching holes in a drywall. Using a utility knife, cut a scrap piece of drywall into a rectangle or square shape. Make sure you cut the shape bigger than the damaged hole so as to cover the area conveniently. You can even buy a ready-made drywall patch from the hardware store if you can arrange for one.

Step #2: Now place that cut patch gently against the damaged area and trace the outlines of the damaged hole.

Step #3: In the same breath cut out that very outlined trace using a keyhole saw. Try keeping the keyhole saw in the insides of the traced line such that the drywall would match the size of the patch.

Step #4: Next step will be holding up the wallboard in the patch work place. To install the small board try keeping a measurement of about 6'' longer than the usual dimension of the hole.

Step #5: After all the measurements, place the board in the hole, align it well and hold it rigidly in the insides of the wallboard. (fasten the board with flat-head screws through the sides of the hole as well as below the surface of the drywall).

Step #6: Moving on with the repairing drywall holes work, use a drywall patch work or glue to hold the patch in the wall. Initially, spread the compound at the back of the patch and also around the edges.

Step #7: Immediately set the glued patchwork into the hole to its exact measurements. With your hands hold the patch for a while for the glue to set. Perhaps you can leave it for overnight drying.

Step #8: If the next time you check on the dry compound, fill its outline patch and hide the screw heads that are exposed with a joint compound. Leave all of this to dry neatly, and lightly apply sand, prime and paint to the new patch of drywall.

Repairing Small Holes in Drywall

Required Materials

• Tape measure
• Awl
• Keyhole saw
• Clean tin can lid
• Scissors (or wire cutters)
• Putty knife
• Drywall patching
• Scrap wood
• Thin wire
• Drywall compound (glue)
• Sandpaper
• Paintbrushes, primer and paint

Procedure

Step #1: Probably this is one of the best way to patch a hole in drywall by preparing a tin can lid for a backing piece. Prepare 1½'' more in diameter than the regular drywall hole size.

Step #2: Now on each side of the small hole, cut out narrow horizontal slits using a keyhole saw. Ensure that the size of the slits and holes measure up in equal diameters such that the insertion of the lid in the sideways of the hole is feasible.

Step #3: Next is punching time! I mean punching holes into the center of the lid. Well, use an awl to punch two holes and thread a 12'' piece of strings or wires whatever via holes.

Step #4: Hold the ends of the string close and pass the lid through the slit. Continue holding the wire and pull the lid toward you gently, until the lid fits flat against the wall.

Step #5: For holding the wood in a proper place, use a scrap wood to stick on the outside part of the hole. Also, twist the wire tightly to over stick the material. The can lid should be firmly held.

Step #6: Following the compound instructions, use a putty knife to apply the compound to the patch. Try to use an alternative like Plaster of Paris as a mixture to make an easy compound.

Step #7: Pack whatsoever compound you make into the hole against the backing conveniently. Let it remain inside the hole. Hide the backing and fill up the slits but just make sure you don't spread it on the entire wall surface.

Step #8: Let the entire patch to dry for a day on the wall until it shows a bright white color. When everything's dry, cut out the wire and pull out the stick which was in-fixed.

Step #9: For finishing touches, fill the covering of the patch with more compound in case you desire to level it furthermore. Similarly like the large drywall hole repair working, leave it to dry and then apply sand area, paint and primer to the new patch.

Well, learning how to fix hole in drywall by merely reading this Buzzle article would cut yourself a slack not only in terms of time but money too. So, go ahead and fix that wretched hole in that wall of yours, the next time you see it around!!