Fortunately, fixing holes in drywall doesn’t require a lot of time or experience. Wall-repair kits, available at home centers and hardware stores, make it even easier. How you should proceed with your repair depends on the size of the hole you have to fix.
How to Fill a Small Hole
Fix tiny nail and screw holes:
Tiny nail and screw holes are the easiest to fix. Use a putty knife to fill them with spackling or wall joint compound. Allow the area to dry, then sand lightly. Anything larger must be covered with a bridging material for strength before patching compound can be applied.
Fix holes between 1/2 and 11/2 in. diameter:
For holes between 1/2 and 11/2 inch diameter, bridge the gap with a piece of adhesive-backed fiberglass mesh. We used a repair kit from Manco (less than $2) that includes a pair of 8x8-in. mesh squares.
Use the kit in 4 steps:
Note: Use a 6-in. drywall knife to smear spackling compound through the mesh and over each hole. Let the compound dry, then sand lightly.
How to Fix a Medium-size Hole
Holes between 11/2 to 6 in. diameter
Holes ranging from 11/2 to 6 in. diameter must be bridged with an even stronger, more rigid material. We used a 4x4-inch galvanized-metal patch from Homax ($2.25) to repair a 2 1/2-in. diameter puncture caused by a doorknob. The company also makes 656- ($3) and 8x8-in. ($4.25) patches. The patch comes stuck to a 6-in.-sq. piece of adhesive-backed fiberglass mesh.
Install it in 3 steps:
Note: For medium-size holes, peel off the backing sheet from the metal patch to expose the adhesive. Then press the patch to the wall.
How to Patch a Large Hole
Fix Holes larger than 6 in. diameter
Repairing a hole that’s larger than 6 in. diameter doesn’t require much—all you need are two short 1x3s and a scrap piece of drywall.
Patch a big hole in 9 steps:
Note: Cover the metal patch with a coat of joint compound. Then gradually feather the edges to blend the patch into the wall.
Where To Find It:
Homax1610 6th St., Dept. TH1197 Bellingham, WA 98225800/729-9029 Need help with home repairs? Find a trusted home warranty provider in your area.
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