How to Patch a Small Hole in Drywall
While drywall is an inexpensive building material, it's not the sturdiest. Luckily, repairing the inevitable holes is a quick and easy process.
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You Will Need
- A utility knife
- Sandpaper
- Clean cloth
- Putty knife
- Spackling paste
- Fiberglass mesh with adhesive backing
- Paint
- A drywall kit (optional)
- A wall guard plate (optional)
Steps
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Step 1
Buy a drywall kit
Consider buying a drywall kit. Sold in hardware stores, it contains almost everything you need to repair holes.
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Step 2
Smooth and clean location
Use a knife to scrape off any loose plaster and then smooth the area with sandpaper. Clean with a damp cloth.
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Step 3
Fill
If the hole is very small, like a nail or screw hole, fill it with spackling paste, let it dry, and sand it smooth.
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If the hole is from a doorknob, consider installing a wall guard plate, which simply adheres over the damage and will protect your wall in the future.
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Step 4
Cover with mesh
If the hole is larger, place an adhesive piece of fiberglass mesh over the hole so it overlaps on all sides by at least an inch.
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Mesh patches can repair holes up to about 3" inches around.
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Step 5
Cover with spackling paste
Use a putty knife to spread a layer of spackling paste over the mesh until the area is covered. Smooth it as best you can and let it dry overnight.
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Step 6
Sand it smooth
Lightly sand the area smooth.
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Step 7
Apply a second layer
Apply a light, second layer of spackling paste, let it dry overnight, and sand it smooth.
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Step 8
Paint
Paint the repaired area.
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Drywall is the most commonly used interior building material in the world. Every year in the U.S. alone, 50 billion square feet of drywall are produced.
