How to Patch Drywall, From Small Holes to Large Repairs

Medium holes: up to about 6 inches

1. Trim loose paper and crumbled edges with a utility knife.
2. Stick a self-adhesive mesh patch over the hole, larger than the hole on all sides.
3. Spread a thin coat of joint compound over the patch with a wide knife, extending a few inches past the edges.
4. Let it dry fully, then sand lightly.
5. Apply a second, wider coat, "feathering" the edges so they blend into the wall.
6. Repeat with a third thin coat if needed, then sand smooth.

Large holes: a new piece of drywall

1. Draw a square or rectangle around the damage and check inside the wall for wires and pipes before cutting.
2. Cut out the damaged section with a drywall saw.
3. Screw wood strips (furring strips) inside the opening above and below the hole to support the patch.
4. Cut a new piece of drywall the same thickness to fit the opening and screw it to the strips.
5. Tape the seams with paper or mesh tape and joint compound.
6. Apply two or three thin coats, each wider than the last, sanding lightly between coats.

Getting a smooth finish

• Thin coats are better than thick ones. Thick coats crack and take longer to dry.
• Feather the edges. Each coat should be a little wider than the last, so the repair blends in.
• Use light to check. Shine a flashlight across the wall at a low angle to spot ridges and dips.
• Don't over-sand. Sanding through the paper face of the drywall makes a rough surface.

Matching texture and paint

If your walls have texture, such as orange peel or knockdown, spray texture cans can help blend the patch. Practice on cardboard first.

Always prime the patch before painting. Joint compound absorbs paint differently from the rest of the wall, and an unprimed patch often shows as a dull spot. Painting the whole wall, corner to corner, gives the most even result.

When to call a professional

• Water damage, staining or soft drywall, which can signal a leak that needs fixing first
• Any sign of mold
• Large areas of damage, or ceiling repairs
• Holes near electrical boxes or with wiring you can't safely work around

Fixing cracks and corner damage

Hairline cracks often appear at the corners of doors and windows as a house settles. Widen the crack slightly with a utility knife, cover it with paper or mesh tape, then apply two or three thin coats of joint compound, feathering each one.

Dented outside corners usually have a metal or plastic corner bead under the compound. If the bead is bent, it can often be tapped back into shape or cut out and replaced, then covered with compound.

Inside corners that crack can be retaped with paper tape folded down the middle, pressed into a thin bed of compound.

How long the repair takes

Most of the time in a drywall repair is waiting for compound to dry. A small nail hole can be finished in a day. A medium patch with three coats may take two or three days, depending on the product and humidity. Setting-type compounds, which you mix from a powder, harden faster and are useful for deeper repairs, but you need to work quickly once mixed.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying one thick coat to save time, which often cracks or sinks as it dries.
• Sanding before the compound is fully dry, which tears the surface.
• Making each coat the same width, which leaves a visible ridge around the patch.
• Skipping primer, so the patch shows through the paint.
• Not wearing a dust mask. Drywall dust is fine and spreads easily, so a damp sponge can also help keep dust down.

Conclusion

Most drywall damage can be fixed at home: spackle for small holes, a mesh patch for medium ones and a new piece of drywall for large holes. Take your time with thin coats, feather the edges, prime before painting and the repair should be hard to spot.