Do you have some drywall that needs repaired? Maybe a doorknob created a dent or hole in your drywall? Or you had some work done and it created a larger hole that you need to repair. With a little patience, you will be able to patch your own drywall.
Tools Required
Drywall sander
Drywall saw
Dust mask
Paintbrush
Screw gun
Taping knife
Utility knife
Materials Required
Drywall
Drywall screws
Drywall tape
Joint compound
How to patch a medium to large sized hole in your drywall
First, you want to measure the thickness of your drywall. Most drywall is 3/4" in thickness. If you have a large enough piece of scrap drywall you can buy this, or you will need to by a 4x8 sheet of drywall from your local hardware store. Cut the drywall to size, placing the drywall screws every 6 inches.
Taping the edged of the drywall you are patching is the trickiest part of the job. You will want to tape the edged using paper tape. You can use mesh tape, but paper tape will be easier to work with and mesh tape isn't as strong. When purchasing the paper tape also purchase a gallon of drywall compound.
Apply a coat of compound and tape to each joint. Thin the compound a bit with water to help embed the tape. Smooth the tape with the 6-in. knife, pulling out from the center toward each end. Squeeze some, but not all, of the compound out from under the tape so you don’t create a big hump on the wall. Immediately apply a light coating to the topside of the tape, tapering it out onto the wall.The second and third coats are to blend and smooth the taped joints so they’ll be invisible when painted.
After each coat is dry, set a straightedge against the wall to check for obvious dips and bumps. Knock off bumps and ridges with your taping knife. Add more coats as needed. Then sand, prime and paint. The following will walk you through more important tips and steps for how to fix a hole in the wall.
The second and third coats are to blend and smooth the taped joints so they’ll be invisible when painted. After each coat is dry, set a straightedge against the wall to check for obvious dips and bumps. Knock off bumps and ridges with your taping knife. Add more coats as needed. Then sand, prime and paint. The following will walk you through more important tips and steps for how to fix a hole in the wall.
What if the hole is jagged and not square edges?
You will need to cut the area with a drywall or keyhole saw. Before cutting, check the area for any obstructions such as electrical wires, ducts or plumbing. If you see any of these obstructions, make sure you are cutting carefully. If you are making the hole bigger, that is okay, you can add backer board if needed.
Inserting backer board
Cut the backer boards about 4 in. longer than the height of the hole. Pine or other soft wood works well. Hold them tight to the backside of the drywall when fastening them. Hold the boards carefully so the screw points won't prick your fingers if they pop out the backside. The drywall screws will draw the boards in tight. Sink the screw heads slightly below the drywall surface.
Tape the joints
Then you will want to screw in the scrap drywall piece to fill the space. Then tape the joints with the paper tape. Lay on a thick bed of patch drywall compound over the joints, and immediately following apply a thin layer of compound over the tape. Allow to dry before applying the second layer of compound.
Apply a second and third coat of compound
Apply a second coat of compound, drawing it at least 6 in. beyond the edge of the first coat to taper the edges of the repair. Let dry, then add a third coat to smooth any remaining uneven areas.
Sand the drywall compound and paint
Lastly, you will want to lightly sand down the drywall compound with 100-grit sandpaper to remove ridges and smooth the edges. Once completed and you have a smooth service, you can apply paint to the area.
Do you have multiple drywall repairs? Or a repair needed on your ceiling? We do everything from small hole patches to large drywall jobs. Our team will do your drywall and paint! Text The Handy Connection at 602-920-4257 to schedule a free estimate.