How to Patch a Hole in the Wall

Let's take a look at fixing a hole in drywall. You want to fix-it right the first time. A hole in a wall can be a large or little problem, either way you want to fix-it right? When you have a small hole you can just take a small amount of spackling compound and a putty knife and fill the hole. When a hole is a inch or under you can get by with no backer to the hole to hold it in. With a smaller hole it is easy to get the compound flat and look correct. If your hole in the wall is small enough you won't have to worry about texture as it will not be noticed. Then you can take your paint that you have already and blend the patch in to match the rest of the wall.

So, you can see not much is needed when you have a small hole. When you get into holes that are a inch or bigger you need to have either hole patching kit or a container of spackling compound, putty knife, drywall and some type of backer. You can use a piece of drywall to fill a large hole. You will need to find the studs in the wall and then cut out the damaged area and then cut the drywall patch to fit the opening. You can use a utility knife or a drywall saw to cut the opening. When cutting a large opening be sure there are no electrical wires that you could hit with the saw or tool you use cut the opening, again the opening can be cut with simple tools, like a utility knife or drywall saw.

You can use drywall tape to hold the piece in. When you cut a hole stud to stud then you can also screw the drywall patch piece in to the studs. Then you will also need a box of drywall screws and a screw driver added to the list of tools you will need to fix-it right. When you have the piece screwed in you can use the drywall tape to go over the edges. Then take the compound and apply it around the edges of the patch over the tape. Apply it thick in the center of the seam and then fan it out towards the rest of the wall. You will have to use sand paper to fan the edges to blend it in with the rest of the wall. Some people use the wet method, which is the use of a wet sponge to smooth out compond. A small amount of texture will be needed to blend the patch in also.

Texture can be purchased in a can. The spray can be applied easily. We have found it does not always blend in perfectly. Using a medium sand texture usually works the best. It can be purchased and then mixed into primer or small amount mixed into finish coat. In the end, the grade of texture will be determined by which ever type of texture you have already on your walls. Patching a hole comes down to sanding and texture to really get the job done right. If you are replacing a really large hole you will need to primer the drywall patch in order to help seal the new drywall and to allow the finish coat to go on correct. You need to take your time. You might have to go over the edges twice to get them to blend in. Once you have the edges blended in and are happy with the patch you can mix your sand texture with your primer or paint and then apply it to your patched area.

Make sure you are happy with your patch and texture before you apply your paint. It is alot easier to correct the patch before any paint is applied. There you have the basic skills to patch a hole in drywall.

Remember, safety first with any home projects.