how to patch a hole in the wall

If the hole is less than 4 inches wide, use a peel-and-stick patch to cover […] The guys at Home Depot had a lot of fun lamenting the fact that the hole existed to begin with, and then suggested that I build a mold on one side of the wall and fill it in with a pour of concrete. Someone told me I can use joint compound or something to fill the hole and reuse the hole. Step 1. Peel away the backing and place a square of adhesive fibreglass mesh firmly over the hole. Step 2 Step 2. Use a razor-knife to cut down the center of the stud. i think he did a pretty decent job. Remove loose material from the hole in the wall by probing it with the tip of a screwdriver or blade of a putty knife. z�^�u:��Vc���K�%� ;�@�L.wd�Z�IL��a�B8d���orŇаT�}7 Prepare the area: If the hole has rougher edges, gently sand them away and wipe off dust with a damp rag. Mark a rectangle around the damaged area, coming off the centre of the stud. I considered a lot of options. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Big holes in drywall (aka anything larger than 6 inches across) are a little bit harder to fix than your usual little holes. Then use the putty knife or your finger or a straight edge to wipe off any spackle not in the hole you’re repairing. The article was very precise when giving the instructions, and, "We had no clue how to fix a wall we had inadvertently put a hole in. It doesn't have to be a snug fit, but the seams should be not more than about 1/8 inch wide. This article was co-authored by Mark Spelman. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 489,432 times. Open the stick, which resembles a large crayon, and apply to fill the hole; this may require several applications to completely fill, depending upon the size of the hole. Applying the Drywall Patching Compound. He has been a construction professional since 1987. A set of drywall knives in sizes 6", 8" and 12". and apply the adhesive mesh tape. Any rise caused by the patch can be feathered out with joint compound. The challenge of patching holes in drywall is in covering the gap. If the area you need to patch is in an area that gets wet, then use a moisture/mold resistance green board. This article has been viewed 489,432 times. This will allow you to more easily smooth out the surface with you trowel. Since you may only need a piece of sheetrock that is a few feet square, see if you or a friend has a piece of it lying around, instead of buying a whole sheet. +�.�i(T��2/�T���m�g�Ȩ:O�l`3q��H���6L��n!���e '��Yڅ[߾��Q�0�$�3��HQ���F�;�j�"�T�:2�����¹L���Q���W�hHL��R�-%�a%P�����S���ڀ9ɪGrT]�G�2>��Ѐ��;�nL�QK��N5%b����r��M�ZșEYeJ�"���M�&�ށz���h�F�Z�������}���i7o��;�� �y߽�Yh���o���i�k� Since the hole repair will be covered by wallpaper, it doesn’t have to look as perfect as a regular wall repair. Leave the Spakfilla to dry for 30 minutes. By using our site, you agree to our. Sweep the surface and inside of the hole with a paintbrush or small broom to remove the dust. There are a variety of spackling pastes for sale. Most quick dry patching compounds are difficult to sand. Then smooth these edges. Allow at least 2-3cm around the outside edge of the hole. Push the cords into the hole in the wall. Cut a piece of plasterboard patch to loosely fit the hole. He has been a construction professional since 1987. Just scoop out a little bit of spackle and wipe it on the hole. Patch a big hole in 9 steps: Start by cutting the ragged hole into a neat square or rectangle. U%}���Ջא��݌T�Q4��@����QSxH%Վ:M�x��F�&up&2�;� ��|j3�7#�!�Y� �.���\>x4���"��c���: The first step of how to patch a small hole in the wall is to drive nails back down using a nail set. Step 3 - Add Hole Patch. A piece of sheetrock. Or, rather, one very large thing: a huge hole in the cement wall that separates our garage from our basement. "I've never patched a hole, so everything helped me. Press firmly to secure it. If needed, apply your wall patch. Fine grit sandpaper. s�sY��f�&��ܼ�7��A���n��zY6�mDY% �0.Jk������G Then dimple the hole slightly concave with a hammer to indent any raised edges. �z�\ http://www.lowes.com/cd_Patch+and+Repair+Drywall_498789296_, http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20051832,00.html, http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20643822,00.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Complete the Drywall Patch Run strips of self-adhesive fiberglass drywall tape around the patch, centering the tape on the seams. If you’ve ever painted a home before, about half of the materials you need will already be in your possession. Over a cup of tea and some lessons from the university of YouTube (UYT), she realised that patching a hole in the wall is actually pretty easy. Kobalt 4.3-in Folding Utility Knife. Changing the location of the cable, wire or pipe leaves a gaping hole through the brick wall where water, dirt and debris enter the structure. Slip one of the 1x3s into the wall cavity and screw it to the edge of the cutout; be sure it overlaps … Using a putty knife or a flexible filler blade, take the Spakfilla across the area in multiple directions. Pull out the cords and cover the ends with electrical tape. Slip one of the 1x3s into the wall cavity and screw it to the edge of the cutout; be sure it overlaps into the hole by 1 1/4 in. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. If you only plan on doing this one repair, don't waste the money. Clean around the hole from any loose debris. The challenge of patching holes in drywall is in covering the gap. How to Patch Wall Paneling. The exact method for how to patch a hole in the wall will vary depending on how big the hole is. A nice big piece of art can hide a world of trouble on the wall behind it — and a few of my pieces did until I recently discovered how little effort it took to repair those minor accidents. How to Fix a Big Hole in a Cement Wall When a posted a little while ago about sealing and patching holes in my garage , I conveniently left one small thing out of the narrative. �����Q��K�D��J'��9.��� The steps are as follow in point form. Keep in mind that home improvement stores usually carry three different types of aerosol texture: knockdown, orange peel, and popcorn. Cut a piece of plasterboard 25mm wider and longer than the hole. �[�FfOz����T}����Y ���s���3����N�u���� �k6���0~�ҫ;J�#f��Ʈ� AI��A�Z�!� ��8C^ÕX���0�k��k�E���E�u�/*ȖîE���_��7�Ig��)I����_Yq�3?o�FZ���wb늠���d���IZ�.Ƀlv`�R�y�[��¸�|7\�H6|�AKwP� B�[^``��@����ɳ�\�{²`��ЯE�cO�y���yw�yR�\` �+��)\�k��`a.6$ .��:��b Very small holes are usually caused by nails or screws and can be repaired easily and quickly with spackle. In most cases, a simple patch can make the paneling look new. To feather the edge, increase pressure and angle on the drywall knife as you reach the outer edges of the patch area to minimize, or thin, the compound on the drywall. Allow at least 2-3cm around the outside edge of the hole. Reinforce it by sliding your putty knife or spatula along and press it down nice and firm – you want it to be completely smooth. Cut a piece of drywall to fit the hole. Use the drywall patch kit to patch the hole. Would love to see a how-to video along with instructions. Cut a piece of panel slightly larger than the hole or gouge. You want to leave 1/2 inch extra all the way around the hole. Simply run a bead of caulk along for crack and smooth with a wet finger. :����m;�D����?�(Jҳ[�LĤ�7-���r��b�/gg�Msk��>T�l�j'�������٧]��� 777k��Ms���͇O5�~cs�㠺Y:��n��V�j���_ E���Q[�"���>X���vōƴ}�F���=�}I��K�r/� Joint compound is fine for filling cracks, but won’t work for small holes bigger than a quarter. Install the Drywall Patch . Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. Find a scrap of drywall that's the same thickness as the damaged drywall, and cut out a square-cornered patch big enough to cover the hole. Gently push some Spakfilla through the holes in the mesh making sure it covers completely around the sides of the hole. The University of YouTube. If a small hole on the wall was formed exactly in the place where you have long dreamed of hanging a picture or a family photo, then it is not necessary to patch it up.Favorite picture will help mask the hole in the wall and will delight you with its appearance. Make sure that the sheetrock is the same thickness as the sheetrock on the wall you are repairing. First you need to cut a hole around your hole. ��Sa�++j%� ���4�^W$:�Q�Srf�� ��@��I�^[�V�+�������Wu�2Q��6�/�@�*����L8�h�S�� Some people also prefer using something called a “hawk.” This works well for stucco. Homeowners drill holes in brick walls for a variety of reasons, including running cable, electrical wires or pipes through the wall. Place spackle on the edge of your putty knife and hold the knife at a 45 degree angle to the wall. I put this method to the test, I clogged some steel wool into the holes and taped it in. Filling the patched hole. After hearing that, I seriously considered just gluing a piece of plywood over it and calling it a day. Place the patch over the hole area and trace … Reinforce it by sliding your putty knife or spatula along and press it down nice and firm – you want it to be completely smooth. *��w�>w��E#\w"�n�= *x�v��U pw�l�M^�{̱l� o�EÄ?/�F�8��]��g&�!W�p);�4��W�ȱ@n�ZO���>��/ď͠������|ʺ����c�纁��(��F��� Purchase spackling paste and a small putty knife if repairing a very small hole. Peel away the backing and place a square of adhesive fibreglass mesh firmly over the hole. ), and look for a large enough scrap from a damaged piece at a home center as you see how to fix a hole in drywall, rather than buy a full 4 x 8-ft. sheet. Attach the mesh, and then spackle over the patch. Asbestos causes mesothelioma cancer, lung cancer, asbestosis and other illnesses. Once the hole is covered, use a single downward stroke to remove any excess. Prepare the rapid patch mixture in your bucket, bringing it to a creamy consistency (it should be able to hold itself on the broad knife without falling off). Tagged with: Rodents. Smooth the edges of the patch around the hole. For advice on how to repair a bigger hole, read on! But take care not to crush the drywall core. Another method you can use is to buy a metal mesh patch. ����t. However, most home improvement stores also sell smaller pieces of sheetrock. Some older plaster walls may contain asbestos as well. ", "This article helped me figure out the materials I need to fix a wall. N�����`��{�|prV��������� ~/����6�ت��z�Z}���J��P_^|(��n/�@�WK�h')�Su:��$��%�pxZ�%�c�4�fW�0����Aԇ����i~��>�Z�T������E�'NY?V�D�l�n���/��Rk���jJ5�m��^�o;LL�9?�>�¹1��? Simply apply the metal mesh and seal over the hole. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If there is any question, consult a professional. ", "Knowing if I needed a saw or utility knife helped.". Keep the screws about 1 inch from the edges of the patch … This is in order to get paint off the wall. Drill a small hole through the centre of the patch and thread a knotted piece of string through it. Then, make horizontal cuts with a drywall saw. Clean the hole and surrounding area with a wire brush. Use compound to fix the patch in place. He did patch them in on the right where he had to cut out some bricks. If you mess up the smoothness of the patch, feel free to start over with a bit more spackling paste on your putty knife. Paint to match your walls. This guide will provide instructions on a variety of ways to patch imperfections or holes in walls. This will allow you to attach your new piece of sheetrock to the stud. % of people told us that this article helped them. Place the patch over the hole and pencil its outline on the damaged wall. You should use standard wallboard joint compound for patching wallboard (drywall) or plaster. You can also wet the wall patch if you are reaching any issue in sticking it. Ehׁ. 3. 3. Hold the new patch with the excess backing paper over the hole and trace around the square (Do not include the paper border in the tracing.) If your wall paneling has a hole or gouge, don't despair; a repair is not as difficult as you think. In areas where there is a lot of furniture and appliances blocking a clear path to the hole, you will have to either move it or improvise. If the wall or ceiling you are repairing make sure popcorn texture is not asbestos before removing. Mount a board to the studs on either side of the hole. Repair the hole in the wall with plaster. If you need to fix a golf ball-sized hole in your wall, apply fiberglass mesh tape or damp sheetrock tape over the hole. Holding the center screw if necessary to keep the patch in place, use the screw gun to insert a screw all the way through the drywall patch and into the anchor board. Apply the sticky side of the wall hole patch around the edges of the hole, leaving at least a ½” on each side of the hole. Be careful to feather out the amount of mud to camouflage the level change from the mesh cover to the wall. If there is a hole in the drywall, repair it with a wallboard patch and wallboard compound. Create a patch out of drywall that is 2 in (5.1 cm) taller than the hole. It's off by about 1/4-1/2 inch. Apply your patch to dry for 24 hours, then add another layer of joint compound and repeat as needed. But patch HOW? Then attach the second 1x3 to the opposite side of the cutout. Her eyes widened and she looked painfully overwhelmed. When the hole is fairly small, around an inch or two in size, you can follow these steps to fix it. Measure the thickness of the drywall (most likely 1/2 in. I woodpecker size hole in siding is approximately 2 inches around and leaves a void in the wall equal in depth to the size of your exterior framing, (3.5 … Filed under: Accommodation, Travel Tips. Tape can be of any length and should be overlapped about an inch when put together. Then just place the other nail over the wood and hammer it in. This article has been viewed 489,432 times. Cut a piece of drywall to the … Holes the size of a golf ball and smaller can also be backed with some tight fitting plug or lid or can simply be taped over. Center the piece over the hole, lining up … If you have screws, dig the drywall compound from their heads with a utility knife and turn them in tight with a screwdriver. Once the patch is dry, sand the area with 220-grit sandpaper, then paint it to match the rest of the wall. Apply a thin layer of drywall mud over the entire patch. Use sharp scissors to cut a wall repair patch so that it is approximately 1 in (2.5 cm) taller and 1 in (2.5 cm) wider than the hole in the wall. Use the handle of your putty knife to tap the edges of your … This little folding utility knife from Kobalt features 11 blades to … Find a tiny peg of wood that's slightly bigger than the size of the hole. Rather than taking a chance that mice or rats may enter your room through a hole in the wall just patch it up and get it done and over with — if I’d done this from the start I probably would not have faced the rodent invasion that dove me out of my latest abode. This is your patch. [���q��Z��?W*!��P�ݴ"����B�+���ē Joint compound is fine for filling cracks, but won’t work for small holes bigger than a quarter. I made a mistake with drilling a hole in the drywall. Draw an X on the wall above the hole and an arrow on the patch that points at the X so you'll know how to orient the patch in Step 6. Once you’ve purchased the right size drywall patch (there are plenty of options available at Bunnings), peel off the backing sticker and cover the hole. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. After cutting a rectangular piece of drywall to patch up the hole, cut out another thin piece of drywall to use as a backing. Unfortunately the bricklayer said he couldn't properly patch in the bricks near the window as he said it could cause the bricks above the hole to fail (some joints had already cracked above the hole), so he left it a straight shot there. Unscrew the panel and pull from the wall. 0w73w������>�:�|���¾��5�9ݦ�]3mM�qK_M���6�t�ș�y>��vP>������}^q��i��$��i�Mm�%�w����L�V��7���!���6�(�V ���B-z����&�|e�LB���@8�;(���?���@��w�b�v���/��tD�yk�;ˇ }�-w�K+�^�t�y$1d�`���Z~U]�����w���6�|q�/>�{$|��DU����p�����Mt This method is particularly suitable for holes that are larger than about 100mm or 4 inch's in size. Fill holes in the walls caused by hanging pictures with a putty stick, available at home supply stores. Mud is usually held in a 'California Cake Pan' or small rectangular box about 4 x 12". We use cookies to make wikiHow great. �����O�� j"�ACg�u�#��"���L8�6g�/ ��3O�t�nz/tq��UV��t�o���(x/Bc�j` �"�2�Ay)�������p��X)�ۏ_e�0�f�,PX8!�z��N���|�!�;j�~�/��]��[��,��~#[/��v~�$B4�|�����"��D�n8��_4R���tʼ/�BA��zͥ^|�w�R2?L�� q��(��?��8,������ށ8��/ކ=�h���>��d5�$'������6�߱FL`�;���f>�i@�a���D茀]sCt����8� ��:hd ._�r �zqL��R��!�O���F��d��-�@��z���p���Ck ���q��Ռ�je��]�Gl�jv�Oa0?�q�X�9&G|�G,�AT�0�T(�I��@� �Fy.��q��K���R&gj1�t��WGz�t��v:��X Drywall sheets are vulnerable to breaking and crumbling, but can easily be repaired with drywall compound and a little sanding and painting. Use a 6-inch drywall taping knife to spread drywall joint compound across the patch and tape to create a smooth, flat surface. This will allow it to adhere firmly to the intact wall surrounding the hole. Sand smooth and wipe the sanding dust off with a damp cloth. Apply compound over the joints. Our hole was really big, and the panel we bought was 2 ft x 2 ft, so we held up the panel over the hole … To fix a larger hole, grab a box of self-mix dry plaster. Step 3 - Cut your patch piece from a slab of sheetrock matching the depth of the existing wall. WC���������]�G��� �7�A����m!��߾eU94@��f��vq��NzY����bI��M]7PSL�8�����k��F��#d�T(���Xǰ��q�1�� rȤ������+0�fAz This article was co-authored by Mark Spelman. Small Holes. Residential walls are typically 1/2" and ceilings are 5/8". The sticks come in a variety of colors and will match most paneling. ", "This was very helpful on catching small and big holes, thank you. Which I know seems counterintuitive, but it’ll make it possible for you to patch it with a piece of the drywall panel you bought. Small cracks between molding and trim can be filled with spackling paste but it is probably easier to use paintable caulk, which is available at any home improvement store. Sheetrock tape comes dry but needed to be dunked in water before it is stuck to the wall. Fix a large hole Repair a hole over 150mm in diameter; The principles are similar, but you’ll need to cut away the damaged area back to one or two studs and use a plasterboard patch. If some of your lath is damaged so much that it will not hold up plaster, you will need to replace it. Coarse grade screws for wood and fine grade screws for metal. ��l�S�A8��ͬ��-[n�C��= ����v�93P����W�,�>� �>0 cj�z�~�� �r�:�@�r&e���O�2��l8�A"�"�|��!yý��C���ྒ&d��`3�fvCq���WnJ&iVX. If the hole is less than 4 inches wide, use a peel-and-stick patch to cover […] Feed the patch through the hole again and pull it firmly into position. Cut a piece of panel slightly larger than the hole or gouge. A full list of tools and materials for fixing drywall can be found below. Cut a piece of large fiberglass mesh tape (often sold in a hole patch kit) and place it centered and flat over the hole, overlapping the edges of the hole by several inches. Anything that is considered large will need a much different guide. Repairing medium to larger sized holes in plaster and drywall isn’t quite as difficult as one might think. You can also blow compressed air into the hole to remove the dust. �Ԅ82�"F�$ �Q�a� �j�>�p��:Xq�p^��X�Ҡ�Y�{fz`��^��xe9ݨ�;��_|Po\����*A14`qf�ص84���&{�f8L�q�H7ݾgs���׽2вd��g��5N�:YnK������5����r�{4R�H��Bf��k,%x`��r�Hz2L�q����b׍k(���p���=�Ѩ�m^��_�TzU�ě����H:��A���~�[�nl�7L�3?��i�,���;�c�� /D�8=��S��8:���($Y��r"y��ەbf��is����Y���%����p� ǹ���R� F���)���ݯ@�Zme�U���ߠ |�^ؗ��s�-_��*�*1ux�0��~m����B�p�x5�]ရS� W�������"<0��n�jE���,��o�)�:D;Z���ư(Uꅏ�bJ��:$��k�, U�"iX,�4M��rǴ*e��l�Y��K@}J��|��*{[�wU������8�κÕ+D�,�lbf�G�8*�-��:0;�� And for holes that are up high, caution or a helper is recom… 4� S^� I read that rodents cannot chew through steel wool and if the taping job is heavy duty enough it will make it difficult for them to push it out of place. 1 Repair the hole in the wall with plaster. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/39\/Fix-a-Hole-in-a-Wall-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Fix-a-Hole-in-a-Wall-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/39\/Fix-a-Hole-in-a-Wall-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/aid26744-v4-728px-Fix-a-Hole-in-a-Wall-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"