How to Patch and Repair Drywall

Most anyone can patch drywall. Most drywall repair consists of fixing dents, nail and screw holes,
cracks and popped nail heads. This type of damage is minor and can be taken care of quickly and easily.

For small issues, here’s how to fix a hole in a wall or repair dents:

• Fill dents and tiny holes with lightweight spackle using your finger or a putty knife.
• Make sure the spackle completely fills the dent or hole and is level with the rest of the wall.
• Allow the spackle to dry for 15 to 30 minutes or the time recommended by the manufacturer.
• Once dry, use a fine-grit sandpaper to sand the area smooth.
• Brush away any debris and touch up the paint.

To repair drywall cracks:

• Widen the crack with a utility knife and brush away dust.
• Fill the widened crack with lightweight spackle using a putty knife.
• Apply a thin coat of spackle over the entire area. Smooth it with a putty knife.
• Allow the spackle to dry for 15 to 30 minutes. Consult the manufacturer for specifics.
• Once dry, sand the area smooth.
• Brush away any debris and touch up the paint.
• If the crack is wider than 1/2-inch, cover it with self-adhesive fiberglass drywall tape.
• Use a putty knife to spread joint compound over the drywall tape.
• Allow the joint compound to dry thoroughly and then sand it smooth.
• If needed, apply another thin layer of joint compound. When dry, sand the area again.
• Touch up the wall paint.

A popped nail head is a nail that has come loose from a wall stud. To fix a hole in a wall caused by a popped nail:

• Reattach the drywall to the wall stud using a drywall screw.
• Drive the drywall screw into the wall about 1 to 2 inches above the popped nail head. Sink the screw head just below the drywall’s surface.
• Hammer the popped nail head back into the wall with a rubber mallet, being careful not to damage more drywall.
• Cover the sunken screw and the nail head with spackle.
• Allow the spackle to dry, then sand it smooth.
• Touch up the wall paint.

Here’s how to repair small drywall holes using a drywall repair kit. Most drywall repair kits include the drywall tools you need and a 4- x 4-inch adhesive drywall patch. Larger patches are also available.

To fix small drywall holes:

• Cover the hole with the right size self-adhesive mesh patch.
• Use a putty knife to spread the spackle or lightweight joint compound included in the kit over the patched hole.
• Spread it generously in a crisscross pattern.
• Feather the edges so the compound blends better into the wall.
• Allow the joint compound to dry for as long as the manufacturer recommends. This can be up to 24 hours.
• Thoroughly fill and cover the area. Apply a second coat of joint compound if needed.
• Once dry, sand the area smooth.
• Touch up wall paint.

Tip: If you have several patches on one wall or the newly painted repairs stand out, it’s best to repaint the entire wall.

Figuring out how to repair small drywall holes is easy. Here’s how to fix a hole in the wall larger than 4 inches across. For this type of drywall repair, you'll need to cut a new piece of drywall material and cut into the wall. Before you start, make sure you know where your electrical wires and utilities are. Use a stud finder to locate the wall studs. This is where most wires should be attached.

Safety Tip: Cut off main power before cutting into the wall.

Follow these steps to repair drywall with a hole in the wall larger than 4 inches across. To start the drywall repair:

• Use a carpenter’s square and a pencil or marker to draw a line at least an inch or more above and below the damaged area.
• Use a stud finder to find the nearest stud on either side of the hole and mark them.
• Use a drywall saw to cut along the lines you just drew until you reach the wall studs.
• When you reach a stud, measure and mark 3/4 of an inch farther. This will be the center of the stud. Score these lines with a utility knife.
• The edge of the patch should be directly over the stud so both the existing drywall and patch have support.
• Continue cutting along the lines carefully with the utility knife
• Make several passes with each cut slightly deeper than the previous cut.
• Remove the damaged piece of drywall.

Safety Tip: Always cut away from your body.

Cut supports from scrap lumber. These supports will help keep the patch from cracking. The number of supports will depend on the size of the patch.

• Make the supports using a 3-inch piece of scrap lumber or 3/4-inch piece of plywood that's 2 inches to 4 inches longer than the height of the patch.
• Screw these supports vertically behind the opening using drywall screws.
• Sink the heads of the screws slightly below the surface of the drywall.

Create a patch out of a piece of drywall to fit over the hole:

• Trace the piece of drywall you removed to ensure the patch is the same size. Cut the patch using a utility knife and carpenter's square.
• Test fit the patch in the wall opening to ensure it’s a good fit. It should be secure but not so snug that you must force it in the opening.

To install the drywall patch:

• Position the drywall screws at least an inch from the edges to avoid splitting or crumbling the drywall.
• Use a drill to secure the patch to the support and wall studs.
• Sink the screws slightly below the surface of the drywall.

• Run strips of self-adhesive fiberglass drywall tape around the edges of the patch. To fix large holes, it's essential to center the tape on the seams.
• Use a 6-inch drywall knife to spread drywall joint compound across the patch.
• Tape to create a smooth, flat surface.
• Let the compound dry overnight, then sand until smooth.
• Repeat with a second coat.
• For a very smooth drywall hole repair, spread a third coat with a 12-inch drywall taping knife.
• Let dry overnight before sanding.
• Wipe the patched area with a tack cloth before painting the wall.