HOW TO PATCH A HOLE IN DRYWALL
No one wants a hole in their wall. They’re ugly to look at and can instantly ruin the vibe in a space. And we find more often than not that the holes are left there (for a long time) because the thought of fixing them properly is exhausting. Well, we’re here to help. It won’t be easy but if you follow these steps and are prepared with the right tools and materials you can do it!
TOOLS + MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED
- Stud finder
- Pencil
- Tape measure
- Utility knife
- Drill
- Level
- Drywall
- Drywall screws
- 6 inch mud knife
- Mud pan
- Seam tape
- Hot mud
- Premixed mud
- Sanding sponge
HOW TO PATCH A HOLE IN DRYWALL
- The first thing you'll need to do is determine the size of drywall you are going to be repairing. You can do this by measuring the thickness of the drywall with a tape measure where the drywall is damaged. Walls are most commonly ½” drywall while ceilings are ⅝” for fire barrier.
- Once you have determined the thickness of the drywall you now know what size drywall to use to repair the hole.
- You will need to cut an even square or rectangle to the center of each stud to the left and the right sides of your damaged area. You want to make sure when doing this you use a level to mark the lines in order to make it easier to cut your replacement piece.
- Cut a replacement piece by measuring the cutout you made previously and marking that onto your new piece of drywall.
- Using your utility knife you will score the lines on the drywall and then bend the drywall to complete the cut.
- Place your new piece in the cut out, making sure the new piece is flush with the old drywall on all sides. If your new piece is slightly smaller that is okay.
- You can now use your drill to screw the new piece into the stud you exposed. Be sure you only sink your screws in just below the surface of the drywall for the best hold.
- Now it is time to mix your hot mud, which usually comes in a bag in powder form. This mud is used to prevent the new seams from cracking. You want to be sure not to mix it too thin but to the consistency of cake batter.
- Once you have mixed your mud, place the seam tape over all four seams, using your mud and 6 inch mud knife. Be sure to cover all four seams with as thin of a coat as possible. Let dry for 3 to 6 hours depending on the environment.
- You will now use your premixed mud to do your second and third coats. Be sure to mix this thoroughly to prevent air bubbles in your last two coats. These will be your finishing coats so you want them to be smooth and even. Each one of these coats will also take much longer to dry then the hot mud so you will need to wait 8-12 hours before recoating.
- Once your third coat is dry you will be ready for sanding. Be sure when sanding you don't use too rough of a sanding sponge - we recommend a medium grit. Also be sure not to over sand exposing the seam tape because this will show through once you prime and paint this area.
Pro Tip: Always apply a coat of primer to all fresh drywall in order to seal the drywall mud and prevent cracking. Just painting over fresh drywall mud will usually allow the mud to show through on your finished product.
We hope this helps you repair those damaged drywall areas that have been sitting on your walls for a while now (we know because we’ve had them too). And if there are any other at home repair tips you want, let us know in the comments!