Fix tiny nail and screw holes:
Tiny nail and screw holes are the easiest to fix. Use a putty knife to fill them with spackling or wall joint compound.
Allow the area to dry, then sand lightly. Anything larger must be covered with a bridging material for strength before patching compound can be applied.
Fix holes between 1/2 and 11/2 in. diameter:
For holes between 1/2 and 11/2 inch diameter, bridge the gap with a piece of adhesive-backed fiberglass mesh. We used a repair kit from Manco (less than $2) that includes a pair of 8x8-in. mesh squares.
Use the kit in 4 steps:
- First, hand-sand around the hole to smooth any rough spots. Wipe off any sanding dust with a damp cloth.
- Then cut a piece of fiberglass mesh to overlap the hole by at least 1 in. on all sides. Peel off the paper backing and press the mesh to the wall.
- Spread a layer of spackling compound over the patch with a 6-in. drywall knife.
- Let it dry overnight, sand lightly, then apply a second thin layer. If needed, apply a third skim coat after the second one dries.
Note: Use a 6-in. drywall knife to smear spackling compound through the mesh and over each hole. Let the compound dry, then sand lightly.
Medium-size Hole
Holes between 11/2 to 6 in. diameter
Holes ranging from 11/2 to 6 in. diameter must be bridged with an even stronger, more rigid material. We used a 4x4-inch galvanized-metal patch from Homax ($2.25) to repair a 2 1/2-in. diameter puncture caused by a doorknob. The company also makes 656- ($3) and 8x8-in. ($4.25) patches. The patch comes stuck to a 6-in.-sq. piece of adhesive-backed fiberglass mesh.
Install it in 3 steps:
- Peel off the paper backing and press it to the wall centered over the hole.
- Then spread on three coats of compound, letting each dry thoroughly before applying the next.
- The final coat should be at least 12 in. sq. so that the compound at the edges of the patch feathers out to the surrounding wall.
Note: For medium-size holes, peel off the backing sheet from the metal patch to expose the adhesive. Then press the patch to the wall.
Large Hole
Fix Holes larger than 6 in. diameter
Repairing a hole that's larger than 6 in. diameter doesn't require much—all you need are two short 1x3s and a scrap piece of drywall.
Patch a big hole in 9 steps:
- Start by cutting the ragged hole into a neat square or rectangle.
- Slip one of the 1x3s into the wall cavity and screw it to the edge of the cutout; be sure it overlaps into the hole by 1 1/4 in.
- Then attach the second 1x3 to the opposite side of the cutout.
- After cutting a piece of drywall to fit into the cutout, apply a bead of construction adhesive to the face of each 1x3.
- Secure the patch to the 1x3s with 1 1/4-in.-long drywall screws.
- Spread a thick coat of joint compound around the edges of the patch
- Use the drywall knife to firmly press paper tape into the compound; this will hide the joints.
- After the compound has dried completely, sand it smooth and apply at least two more thin coats of compound.
- Lightly sand the final coat, prime the area and brush on two coats of paint, letting the first dry thoroughly before applying the second.
Note: Cover the metal patch with a coat of joint compound. Then gradually feather the edges to blend the patch into the wall.