How To Fix A Hole In Any Wall

Taking care of our homes or space can be a lot harder than any of us first assumed. One of the biggest problems we might run into is a hole in the wall. Nicks, cracks, and holes in the wall happen all too often, though it might be a circumstance some of us haven't had to address before. Sure, you can call your landlord or hire someone to fix it for you. But patching these pesky holes up yourself is the most cost-effective way of repair.

Patching a hole in the wall is a much simpler process than you think -- it just takes time and patience. You can definitely accomplish this on your own, however, if you ever have any questions or if your hole is in a tricky place, you should definitely consult a professional.

You can easily find all of the materials that you need at your local hardware store. First, establish how large your hole is, and what kind of wall you will be needing to repair. Your wall will usually be plaster or drywall. Plaster wall is thicker than drywall, but they have similar patching processes except for a few key materials.

The size of the hole you're repairing also affects how you treat it. Small holes are anything under an inch. Medium holes measure from 1-inch to 6-inches. Large holes are larger than 6-inches.

How To Fix A Hole In A Plaster Wall

What You'll Need:

• Plasterboard jointing tape
• White rags
• 100mm soft grip paint scraper
• Soft grip putty knife
• Trojan Turbo Knife
• Cork sanding block
• Wraparound safety glasses
• Disposable dust mask
• 120-grit sandpaper
• Cornice cement

Instructions:

1. Use the handle of your putty knife to tap down the edges of your hole. Then use your paint scraper to scrape off any flaky paint as well. You want a smooth surface when you begin fixing the hole.
2. Fill the hole with your plaster compound. Use your plasterboard jointing tape to reinforce the hole. Then cover the tape up with a little more of the compound.
3. Leave the area to try.
4. Once the first coat is completely dried, then use your 120-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the surface. Dust it off and use one of your white rags to clean the area of any dust and residue.
5. Apply another coat of plaster. Make sure it is a bit wider than your initial plaster. Use your paint scraper to smooth out the second coat.
6. Let this second coat completely dry as well.
7. When your second coat is dry, go back with your 120-grit sandpaper and lightly sand the area.
8. Make the surface as even as possible. Then use your white rag to clean and dust the area again.
9. Take your matching paint, and paint over the area.

How To Fix A Hole In Drywall

What You'll Need:

• 120-grit sandpaper
• Wall hole patch
• Wall texture spray
• A sponge (prewet this)
• Putty knife
• Drywall patching compound (like spackle or plaster)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the area by removing any loose drywall.
2. Use your 120-grit paper to smooth out the edges. You want the hole to be bear with no drywall behind it, or hanging off of the edges.
3. Using your wall hole patch, remove the stick side and apply it around the edges of the hole. You'll want to leave at least half an inch on each side in order to cover the entire hole. Smooth the edges of the patch so that they lay flat over the wall. You may need to use your wet sponge to help the wall hole patch stick.
4. Using your putty knife, begin applying the patching compound around the edges of the wall patch. Leave the center untouched.
5. Let the compound dry for 15 to 20 minutes. Leaving it to the dry will ensure that the wall hole patch won't move while you apply the compound toward the center. Cover the rest of your wall hole patch with the compound.
6. Use your scraper to smooth out the compound. Don't worry about making it perfect, that's why we will be sanding over it later.
7. Let your compound completely dry overnight.
8. Use your 120-grit sandpaper or a sanding block to go over the patched area only if it is completely dry.
9. Use a wet rag to clean the area of dust. Let it dry for 15 to 20 minutes.
10. Take your wall texture spray and spray it over the recently patched up area.
11. Once the wall texture spray dries you are free to paint your patch to match the rest of your wall.

Patching Up Small Dents and Holes

If you don't have any major holes to repair, then chances are you're just trying to repair a little ding. You will pretty much be repeating the same steps you took for repairing larger holes, however, it will, of course, be on a smaller scale. You can use the following materials and steps to patch up tiny holes, as well as popped nail heads.

What You'll Need:

• Patching compound such as spackle or plaster
• Gloves
• 120-grit sandpaper or a sanding block
• Paint scraper

Instructions:

1. Start by scraping away all debris from the hole. If you are covering a popped nail head, use a hammer to gently tap on the nail head and draw it into the wall until it sits flat.
2. Cover the small hole with spackle. If it's very small then you can simply use a glove and your fingers to smooth it over the surface.
3. Use your paint scraper to smooth out the area.
4. Let it dry overnight.
5. When it's dry use your sanding block or sandpaper to remove any texture. Wipe away the dust.
6. Now you can paint over the small area.

Patching Up Large Holes

What You'll Need:

• A piece of drywall (use one the closets size to the hole)
• Box cutter or a knife
• Drywall knife
• Pencil
• Sanding block or 120-grit sandpaper
• Screwdriver
• Drywall screws
• Joint Tape
• Compound
• Furring strips
• Paint scraper

Instructions:

1. Take your piece of drywall and cut it into a square. Make sure it is still a little bit bigger than your hole.
2. Hold your square piece of drywall over your hole, and use your pencil to sketch out its outline.
3. Check around the area and make sure you're not going to hit any wires. Use your drywall knife to cut along the lines that you just sketched on the wall.
4. On the inside screw in a furring strip to either side of the square you just cut with your drywall screws. Be sure that your screws sink a little beneath the surface of your wall.
5. Place the drywall patch over the furring strip, and screw it in. Again, you'll be sinking the screws beneath the patch as well.
6. Use your joint tape over the border of the area.
7. Take some of your compound on your paint scraper, and begin to layer it over the patchwork.
8. Let it dry overnight. If it requires another layer of the compound then do so the next day.
9. Once the compound is dry, use your sanding block to even out the area. Clean up the dust and paint over to match your wall.

Patching Up A Corner

If you've made a hole in the corner of a room, you're not doomed. You'll need a new corner bead. They can be made of vinyl, paper, or metal.

What You'll Need:

• A hacksaw
• Utility knife
• A corner bead
• Nails
• Hammer
• Joint compound
• Paint scraper
• Sanding block

Instructions:

1. Use your hacksaw to carefully cut the corner bead horizontally. You'll essentially be cutting out the hole.
2. Now use your utility knife to cut vertically. It'll be like removing a block. Connect your cuts to the cuts you made with your hacksaw. Then remove the drywall and damaged corner bead.
3. Cut a new piece of your corner bead to fit the area that you just took out.
4. Attached the piece of corner bead that you just cut to the wall. Depending on the material you've chosen, you'll either nail it into the wall or glue it. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on attached the new corner brace.
5. Use your paint scraper to apply the joint compound over the corner bead.
6. Let the compound dry. Once it's completely dry, you can take your sanding block to it and smooth over the area. Apply primer, and paint over the area.