Patching A Hole In Drywall Repair Guide

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                          1 day

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Patching a Hole in Drywall
11 steps

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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Patching a Hole in Drywall

Here you have a typical hole. It has broken into the drywall and needs to be repaired.
This hole is approximately 2" X 2".

Here you have a typical hole. It has broken into the drywall and needs to be repaired.

This hole is approximately 2" X 2".

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Step 2

For this fix, you will need (from left to right): an adhesive wall repair patch, spackle, string, a putty knife, and sand paper.
NOT PICTURED: Paint that matches the color of the wall you are fixing and the scrap of cardboard used in the hole.

For this fix, you will need (from left to right): an adhesive wall repair patch, spackle, string, a putty knife, and sand paper.

NOT PICTURED: Paint that matches the color of the wall you are fixing and the scrap of cardboard used in the hole.

Step 3

Use a scrap piece of cardboard and tie about 9 inches of string around it.
You will need the strongest piece of cardboard available to ensure a better fix.

Use a scrap piece of cardboard and tie about 9 inches of string around it.

You will need the strongest piece of cardboard available to ensure a better fix.

Step 4

Put the cardboard in the hole.
Pull the string so that the cardboard is flush with the wall.
This step makes it easier to plaster.

Put the cardboard in the hole.

Pull the string so that the cardboard is flush with the wall.

This step makes it easier to plaster.

Step 5

Plaster the hole carefully, and be sure to keep the string taut during this process.

Plaster the hole carefully, and be sure to keep the string taut during this process.

Step 6

Once the plaster is started, let it dry (will require several hours).
Find a way to keep it straight, as seen here with this door knob.

Once the plaster is started, let it dry (will require several hours).

Find a way to keep it straight, as seen here with this door knob.

Step 7

Once dry, continue to plaster up the hole completely.

Once dry, continue to plaster up the hole completely.

Step 8

Prepare the sand paper and begin to sand off all excess bumps and lumps.
Cut off the extra string.

Prepare the sand paper and begin to sand off all excess bumps and lumps.

Cut off the extra string.

Step 9

Peel off the adhesive wall patch from it’s wax paper.
Center the patch on the hole and seal it down.

Peel off the adhesive wall patch from it’s wax paper.

Center the patch on the hole and seal it down.

Step 10

For this next step, you will apply plaster to the patched area.
Apply until the patch is no longer visible.

For this next step, you will apply plaster to the patched area.

Apply until the patch is no longer visible.

Step 11

To finish this repair, you will want to apply paint. It will make the finished product more attractive, as seen here.
In order to show the repaired hole, only one coat of paint was applied. Add at least 2 coats to fully cover up the repair.

To finish this repair, you will want to apply paint. It will make the finished product more attractive, as seen here.

In order to show the repaired hole, only one coat of paint was applied. Add at least 2 coats to fully cover up the repair.

Now go throw another party, and work you way back to being the party king!

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                                                                                      14 other people completed this guide.

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                                      with 7 other contributors

                    Michael Toscano

Member since: 03/16/2015

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Dennis - Jan 3, 2016

I suggest using a sanding sponge or block in step 8

Nathanael - Mar 13, 2016

Perfect mix of comedy and helpfulness!!

rswiebe - Apr 16, 2016

Not strong enough. Get another piece of drywall and cut it 2" larger than the hole all around . Turn drywall upside down and with a knife score the paper slightly smaller than the hole and bend back the drywall and peel off piece but leave the top layer of paper attached. Do that on all four sides and you will have a two inch flap all around edge of repair with drywall in the middle. Put patching compound on edge of the piece of drywall and flap and some on wall at hole. Place piece of drywall in hole and with a 6" putty knife scrape out excess putty by dragging putty knife from center of repair to outside of damaged area. Continue doing this until paper flap is smooth against wall with no excess in a lump underneath. When dry, add more putty in a circular motion around the paper flap until smooth. When dry you can sand it or use a wet sponge that is wrung out really well and smooth it out with no dust. Now paint it.

timothy mccreery - Jul 23, 2016

I wholeheartedly agree. I have over 30 years experience as a commercial drywall finisher and I would do it the same way rswiebe says

Seanpatrick2000 - Apr 20, 2016

that size hole needs something more then just plaster to fill it, I would have placed a strip of wood 1x1/2 in the wall and using drywall screws secure on either side of the hole then glue or screw a new piece of wall board that is just smaller then the hole to the wood strip and use the plaster to finish sealing the hole. it makes for a stronger repair.

of course if it is a rental then your repair is good enough

Introduction#

What you need#

Introduction

What you need