A hole in drywall can be an unsightly and uncomfortable problem. It's often caused by a nail or screw that punctured the sheetrock, but you should always check for any other potential causes first. In this article, I will provide you with the steps to take when trying to patch a hole in drywall. Keep reading to find out more.
Materials You Will Need To Patch a Hole In Drywall
You will need the following materials:
- A putty knife
- A drywall patch
- A drywall compound
- A drywall sanding sponge
- A paintbrush
Steps to follow to patch a hole in drywall
Step 1. Remove any nails or screws.
Make sure the punctured wall is free of any nails, screws, or other metal objects that could be causing the damage.
By doing so, you will avoid breaking the sanding block on the drywall. It would also be less painful than having to repeat more steps if you do break it. If there are any pieces of sheetrock still stuck in the hole, use a pair of pliers to remove them carefully.
Step 2. Fill the hole with the drywall compound.
You can get this at any hardware store or large retailer that sells home improvement items.
Make sure to get the kind that matches the color of your wall so you won't have to paint it over later. Work quickly before the compound dries out on you so it will cover more of the hole in less time. Pay special attention to how much you are putting into each area so they are even. When done, smooth it over with a putty knife and let it sit for an hour or two.
Step 3: Sand down the surface where you filled with drywall compound.
This step is very important, but don't rush it just because you might be eager to move on to the next one. It's easy for a novice to scratch through the sheetrock or other areas while sanding so take your time and keep steady pressure on the sandpaper. This will take several minutes depending on how large of a hole you have. You can also use a larger drywall compound putty knife if you feel like that would be easier for this process.
Step 4: Apply another layer of drywall compound over the entire area where you filled in with drywall compound.
Be sure not to get any on the outside of this area, as it will be nearly impossible to sand without scratching through. You can also use a drywall roller if you have one available for faster results.
This step will probably take the longest out of all the others so just keep working until you get it as smooth as possible. This is also an important step because you need to make sure there are no bumps or ridges in it before applying paint, otherwise, they might show through after painting. In that case, they would look like blemishes on your wall (especially if you chose not to patch with a paintable compound).
Step 5: Put another layer of drywall compound over the entire area where you filled with drywall compound.
Again, avoid getting any onto the outside edges to make sanding easier.
Keep working until everything is completely smooth and the surface is flat all over before moving onto the next step.
Step 6: Sand down this final layer to get a nice finish.
It's best if you also use a drywall sanding sponge for this part because it will be easier to keep a steady hand while removing material from your wall. Once the whole area has been covered in drywall compound, let it sit overnight so it can harden completely before going onto the next step.
If there are any ridges or other low spots left behind after doing all of these steps correctly, repeat them or patch up with a paintable drywall compound to ensure no blemishes show through after painting.
Once painted, the surface will be completely smooth and it only takes one coat to cover any blemishes so you won't have to buy extra paint or spend time applying coats over your patched-up area. If done correctly, the patch should look like nothing is there – unless you know how to find it.
Step 7: Paint over with matching interior house paint
Certain drywall paints can be purchased at any hardware store. Just make sure to follow all of the instructions on the label before using them on your wall because they might react differently depending on what kind is used or drywall compound was applied inside of it before painting.
Once the first coat is finished, let it dry for an hour or two, then sand down any bumps before applying your next coat of paint.
Now that all the steps are completed, taping and mudding drywall seams might be next if you want to go ahead and repair some other areas on your wall as well. If done correctly, this should also hold up against dents and gouges after it's dried completely so you won't have to worry about them bowing out and having to do it all over again.
There are many different types of compound so just keep doing the steps until you get a smooth finish on your wall without any noticeable bumps or ridges.
Why do I have holes in my walls?
Holes are usually the result of hanging pictures, mirrors, or any other type of decoration. If you find one, you can fix it yourself without too much trouble. Some people say that the first step is to remove everything from your wall so you can start fresh.
While this isn't necessary if you want to go this route and don't mind the work involved with removing everything and starting over – feel free. However, we recommend simply filling the hole with spackle, sanding it down, and painting over the finished product to get the same result. Speaking of holes in your home, if you notice that you have holes in your plaster ceiling, check out this article on how to repair a plaster ceiling.
Can I mix spackle with anything else to fill my walls?
You can create your filler by mixing spackle with wood glue until it has the consistency of peanut butter. I know that sounds weird, but it works just as well as regular spackle and saves you some money.
Use a putty knife to remove any loose particles from the hole. Then, apply some of this mix over the hole and let it dry. Once it has dried, lightly sand the patch to remove any bumps or ridges that may have been formed by the spackle. Finally, wipe away all dust from the finished product with a damp cloth and paint over everything with a roller.
Does soundproof drywall work?
The question of whether soundproof drywall works is asked often. The short answer is yes, but there are some drawbacks to using soundproof drywall in your home or business.
First of all, the only way it will work is if you also cover up any other possible holes or leaks where sound can escape. This means that you have to have an airtight space with no gaps in it anywhere.
Final thoughts on How to patch a hole in drywall
In conclusion, patching drywall is fairly easy. A novice can get the job done very quickly with relatively little effort and expense. It will look professional and if painted over in a smooth, clean manner, it should be unnoticeable once completed.
If you don't want to hire out the job, or cannot find someone to do it for you, then make sure to take your time and approach it methodically. You will be pleased with the results.
