How To Repair Large Gaps In Drywall

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If you take a hole in your wall or ceiling, yous may be frustrated by the difficulty of fixing it so that you lot don't notice the repair. But don't worry! Repairing holes in drywall to look very good tin can be simple with a picayune know-how, the correct tools, and the right materials. Holes in onetime-way plaster walls and ceilings can also be repaired using these methods - most of the fourth dimension.

1. ane

   Pull a nail out with your fingers or plyers - don't use a hammer. Rotate the nail to loosen it, and then pull it straight out. This will exit a small pigsty which tin can easily be repaired.

   • Don't use a hammer to pry out the nail out unless necessary because the hammer's hook will leave large marks in the wall. If you use a hammer, hold a wide piece of wood or a book between its claw and the wall.^[1]

   Tip: If you're removing a spiral, unscrew information technology, don't pull information technology out. Pulling it out could create a big hole. Commencement, scrape out whatsoever pigment from the two cross slots using a utility knife or paring knife

2. 2

   Fill the hole deeply with spackle or joint compound using a ane" putty knife. Overfill it slightly, leaving a small mound. When this dries, it will be sanded down. ^{[ii] [3]}

   • Employ latex spackling compound for the best finish for nail holes. You can find spackle at your local hardware shop or online.

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3. iii

   Let the spackle or joint chemical compound dry out. The time required depends on the brand.^[4]

   • Warm or humid areas require a longer drying time.

4. 4

   Sand it with a sanding sponge to create a smooth surface. ^[5]

   • Wipe away whatever dust with a damp paper towel.

5. 5

   Paint the hole with the aforementioned paint colour as the wall. It may not match well, so paint only the spot you lot take plastered so a slight difference in color will be barely noticeable. A 1" wide foam paint brush will pigment a small spot.^[6]

   • Y'all tin bring paint fries of the wall paint to a hardware store to find a matching paint color, but it probably volition not be a perfect match.

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1. 1

   If a smash or screw has popped out slightly, 1.25 in (3.2 cm) nail or screw information technology back in to but below the surface of the wall and spackle over information technology. ^[vii]

   • If it is a Philips caput screw, scrape out the two cross-slots with a utility knife or paring pocketknife. Screw it in with a hand screw driver or cordless drill.

2. 2

   To prevent the wall from crumbling or corking when you repair the smash pop, if it appears necessary, drill a drywall screw in a higher place and below it so the drywall is held deeply. Very old plaster tin crack easily. Screw them in slowly until the caput of the screw is just below the surface of the wall.^[eight]

3. 3

   Bulldoze in a blast with a hammer and smash set. A foursquare flooring smash will likewise piece of work for this.

   • Drive a nail or screw almost ¹⁄₁₆ inch (0.sixteen cm) into the wall to accept a small hole to make full with spackle. ^[9]

4. 4

   Fill the pigsty with spackle or joint compound, using a one" putty knife. Overfill the hole slightly.^[10]

   Tip: Touch the surface of the repair to brand sure it's dry.

5. 5

   Let the spackle or joint compound dry out.

6. 6

   Sand over the compound with a sanding sponge. Take a drywall sanding sponge and rub the surface of the drywall and the joint chemical compound to create a shine surface that can be painted. Use gently, round motions to sand the surface.^[11]

   • Pay actress attention to the edges of the chemical compound and so it isn't detectable when you paint over it. Information technology helps to go over information technology with a wet sponge.

7. 7

   Prime the patch with a coating of pigment primer. Apply a pigment castor to utilise the primer with broad, even strokes. Utilise plenty primer to cover the patch and the area where the wall and the compound encounter.^[12]

8. viii

   Paint over the chemical compound to match the surrounding wall. To ensure that the repair isn't visible, y'all demand to use the aforementioned paint color every bit the wall surrounding the patch you created. Use a clean paint brush to apply enough paint to cover the primer. Let the paint to dry out and add a second glaze if it's necessary.^[thirteen]

   • Take paint chips to a local paint supply store to lucifer the colors if you don't have whatsoever of the original paint.

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1. i

   Use a strong putty knife to scrape the surface around the hole, removing the texturing material. This will exist minor pieces of joint compound that was applied to give the wall a texture. ^[xiv]

   • Scrape whatever loose paint from the edges of the pigsty.

2. 2

   Apply a hammer to bevel the edges of the hole. Tap gently as yous move effectually the pigsty in 1 direction to create an even slope on the edge of the hole. This will create a slight sloping of the sides, which allows you to make full it in better.^[xv]

   • If the wall or ceiling is one-time plaster (not drywall), be conscientious non to hit too hard or you could crack the plaster.

3. 3

   Fill the hole with spackle using a flexible putty knife. Overfill the pigsty, leaving a modest mound, which you will scrape or sand down when it is dry. ^[16]

   • Apply a latex spackle for the best results.

4. four

   Smooth the spackle with the edge of your putty knife. Make multiple passes in different directions over the spackle to create a polish surface. This volition pull the spackle in every direction then the hole is completely and evenly filled.^[17]

5. v

   Allow the spackle to dry thoroughly. Yous can utilise a pilus dryer to dry out it more rapidly. ^[18]

6. 6

   When the spackle is dry, sand information technology downwardly or use a stiff putty pocketknife to scrape information technology affluent with the wall or ceiling. ^[nineteen]

   • Exist careful not to chip or crack the spackle with the edge of your putty pocketknife.

7. 7

   Spray a layer of wall texture over the spackle.

   • Adjust the nozzle on the can of wall texture to match the texture of your wall or ceiling. To match the texture of the surrounding wall or ceiling, you must practice past spraying it on a piece of cardboard. Hold the tin can most 6 inches (xv cm) away from the wall. Spray plenty to blend the edges of the spackling with the drywall. Let the texture dry out as per the parcel instructions.^[20]

8. 8

   Pigment over the pigsty Utilize the same colour paint as the wall surrounding the hole you filled. Employ a 4" roller to create a surface similar to the surrounding surface, which was painted with a roller. ^[21]

   • Employ paint chips to match colors if y'all demand to buy the paint.

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1. i

   If the hole is up to 5" x v" (13 cm x thirteen cm), employ a 6" 10 6" (15 cm x 15 cm) wall patch. For a smaller hole you can employ a 4" x iv" (x cm ten 10 cm) wall patch.

   • Adhere the wall patch to the wall using articulation compound (run into instructions on package).
   • Allow joint compound to dry, and and then cover the wall patch with a sparse layer of articulation compound. Apply information technology with a 6" taping pocketknife and a 16" trowel (to agree the joint chemical compound).
   • When dry, sand and apply a 2d glaze.
   • Apply 2 coats of paint. Employ a iv"roller to match the paint texture of the surrounding wall.

2. 2

   Patch a hole that is besides large to repair with a wall patch.

   • Make the pigsty perfectly rectangular, so a rectangular piece of drywall will fit well. Use a 16" past 24" framing foursquare to depict the borders of the hole.
   • Mensurate the hole. ^[22]

3. 3

   Cut out a rectangular slice of drywall to the size of your measurements. ^{[23] [24]}

   • Use drywall of the same thickness as your wall, if information technology is available. Iii thicknesses are available. A drywall saw (wallboard saw) can be used. If you don't have drywall of the correct thickness, use material that is thinner and use several layers of paper-thin behind the patch to make information technology flush with the wall.
   • Buy a piece of drywall of the smallest size bachelor, which should be 24" by 24" ( sixty cm x threescore cm).
   • Make sure the edges of the drywall are trimmed and smoothen. Utilise a utility pocketknife if necessary.^[25]

4. 4

   Cutting out a rectangular hole in the wall.

   • Attain in to check for cables, pipes and pocket-sized wires, to avoid cutting them.

5. v

   Slice towards the center of the pigsty from each corner of the outline. Take your utility pocketknife and start at the corner of your outline. Cut towards the center of the pigsty in a direct line. Then, repeat the process with the rest of the corners. Cut all the way through the drywall.You volition demand to make several passes with your utility knife.^[26]

6. vi

   Remove the pieces of drywall and trim around the edges of the pigsty. Grab one side, curve it inward and pivot it upward to pull it out of the wall. Continue the procedure until all of the sides have been removed. Take your utility knife and scrape along the edges of the hole to remove any pieces that may be sticking upward.^[27]

   • Be careful not to yank or rip off the pieces then you lot don't damage the wall.
   • The hole y'all've cut out of the drywall must be uniform and smooth in order for you to insert your drywall patch.

7. seven

   Place two sparse boards, such equally 1" x 2" (ii.5 cm ten 5 cm) or 1" x 3" (2.five cm 10 7 cm) horizontally betwixt the ii closest studs. ^[28] The piece of drywall volition rest against them.

   • Mountain them by screwing in drywall screws through the existing drywall into them. ^[29]

8. 8

   Put in the piece of drywall. It must have gaps around information technology of no greater than about one/8" (0.32 cm).^[xxx] Screw information technology onto the thin boards.^[31]

   • Don't try to jam or force the patch or you could bend or crack information technology.

9. 9

   Tape it all around with joint tape. This is fastened with joint compound. Apply a half-dozen" (15cm) taping knife to use the joint compound and to remove the excess. Allow the articulation chemical compound to dry for about ane 60 minutes.^[32]

   • Cover the patch and the joints with a sparse layer of articulation compound using a 6" (15 cm) or 12" (cm) taping knife. Permit it to dry out overnight.^[33]

   Tip: Scrape the edge of the putty knife up and down over the patch in different directions to remove any excess or uneven compound and to create a smoother finish.

10. 10

    Carefully sand the joint compound with an electric palm sander or a sanding sponge. Apply another coat and allow information technology to dry. This coat may take merely nearly ii hours to dry considering it volition be sparse. Sand in circular motions and sand around the edges thoroughly. ^[34]

11. xi

    If the wall is textured, apply a layer of spray wall texture over the patch and wait for it to dry. To match the texture, use a can of spray wall texture and apply it over the patch and the border where the patch meets the wall.^[35]

    • Hold the can about 6 inches (15 cm) away from the wall and utilise a thin layer.
    • Cheque the packaging to run across how long the wall texture takes to dry out.
    • Conform the nozzle on the tin of wall texture to friction match the texture of your drywall.

12. 12

    Paint over the patch

    • Take paint chips to a paint section or pigment store to match the color..
    • Use a four" roller, to announced more similar the surrounding pigment, which was applied with a roller. .^[36]
    • Apply two coats of paint.

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Add New Question

• Question

  Will a drywall patch blend in with my wall?

  

  Allen Lee
  Dwelling Comeback Specialist

  Allen Lee is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Honest Lee Handyman Services, a licensed and insured handyman business servicing Sacramento, California, and surrounding areas. Working with homeowners and businesses to go their small repairs done in a timely and efficient fashion, Honest Lee Handyman Services provides gutter and dryer vent cleaning along with fixture, argue, drywall, and toilet repairs.

  

  Habitation Improvement Specialist

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• If you have a hole that is too large to repair with spackle, repair information technology with a square piece of drywall tape. Use articulation chemical compound to stick it to the wall. Cover it with a layer of articulation compound and sand when dry.^[37]

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Things You'll Need

• Latex spackling paste
• Putty knife
• Drywall sanding sponge
• Paint primer
• Paint
• Small paintbrush

• Drill
• 2 i.25 in (3.2 cm) drywall screws
• Drywall joint compound
• Putty knife
• Drywall sanding sponge
• Paint primer
• Paint
• Paintbrush

• Spackling paste
• Putty knife
• Drywall sanding sponge
• Pigment
• Paintbrush

• Drywall to cut a patch
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Utility pocketknife
• Putty knife
• Drywall joint compound
• Drywall sanding sponge
• Paint
• Paintbrush

About This Article

Article Summary X

To repair a small pigsty in drywall, trim abroad any frayed areas with a utility pocketknife, and so lightly wet the repair area with a spray bottle of water. Apply a liberal amount of non-compress joint compound to the expanse with a putty knife, then pull the knife blade toward you lot in one steady, shine movement. If the finish doesn't look smooth, wipe off the putty pocketknife, re-wet it, and polish the mud again. Let the patched surface area dry out, then add additional coats if necessary. Once the hole is patched, sand the area until it's smooth, and so paint the chemical compound to match the wall. Proceed reading to larn how to repair a larger hole!

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Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Repair-Holes-in-Drywall

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