How to fix a hole in the wall?
Updated: Mar 25
Have you ever had a doorknob go through your drywall? Or maybe you had to move a piece of furniture and accidentally put a hole in the wall. Whatever the case may be, sooner or later, every homeowner will need to know how to patch a hole in drywall. It's not as difficult as it may seem, but there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. In this blog post, we'll show you the right way to patch a hole in drywall so that it looks like new again. Keep reading to learn more!
Tools needed for drywall repair
The Basics
Supplies You'll Need:
-Drywall compound
-Drywall tape
-Sandpaper (fine-grit)
-Putty knife or 6" taping knife
-Piece of drywall that is larger than the hole (you can buy this at any hardware store)
-saw or keyhole saw (if you're cutting out a large section of drywall)
-Drill
-1 1/4" drywall screws
-Utility knife
How to patch drywall
The first thing you need to do is cut out the damaged section of drywall. If the hole is less than six inches wide, you can just use a utility knife to score the paint around the perimeter of the hole. Then, use your hands to snap the piece out. If the hole is larger than six inches, you'll need to use a saw or keyhole saw to cut out the section. Just be sure not to cut too far beyond the perimeter of the hole.
Once you've removed the damaged section of drywall, it's time to cut your replacement piece. Again, if the hole is less than six inches wide, you can just score and snap the new piece into place. If the hole is larger, use the old piece of drywall as a template and trace it onto the new one. Then, use your saw to cut out the new piece. Now that you have your new piece of drywall, it's time to attach it to the wall studs using 1 1/4" screws. Drill pilot holes first so that you don't crack the drywall. Once your new piece is securely in place, it's time to start mudding!
Mudding is just a fancy term for applying joint compound (or mud) around the edges of your patch using either a putty knife or 6" taping knife. You want to apply enough mud so that it's level with the rest of the wall but not too much that it's overflowing. Once you've applied mud around all sides of your patch, lay strips of fiberglass mesh tape over all of joints and seams. This will help reinforce your repair and prevent cracks from forming down the road. Finally, apply another layer of mud over top of your tape and let it dry overnight. In the morning, sand down any rough spots and apply paint or texture as needed. And that's it! You've successfully patched your drywall like a pro!
Now that you know how to patch a hole in drywall like a pro, there's no need to call in an expensive handyman every time something goes wrong but just incase you are on the fence about it y. With just a few supplies and some elbow grease, you can take care of small repairs yourself without breaking a sweat!
You can always give us a call at Alpha Drywall or leave us a message. We would be more than happy to help you out with your new project or you can use us for some advice incase you get stuck on a step. Either way we are here for you.