Before applying patching compound, larger holes need bridging material. This is often made of fiberglass, and costs less than $2. To patch a large hole, overlap fiberglass mesh by at least one inch on all sides, then press the material onto the wall. Repeat the process for smaller holes. Once the patch is applied, apply another layer of compound to the remaining area. Do not forget to patch the drywall around utilities, and to make sure that the new patch will not be visible.
Before patching drywall, square off the area, cut a line into the drywall to mark the location where the hole will be. Remove any excess paper, and then cut the patch to match the hole. Make sure the patch matches the hole completely. You may also want to attach the front paper before finishing the hole. If you’re working with an older wall, this method is recommended. Just be sure to leave about 1/2 inch of space around the patch.
For larger holes, use mesh tape. It comes in rolls and is typically one to three inches wide. Cut the strip to fit the hole and apply it over the hole. Then fill in the hole with a spackle. After it dries, sand the area smooth. Now you have a sturdy wall again. You can even use drywall offcuts for larger holes. And if you’re working with a small hole, use the same technique.
If you’re looking for a DIY project, repairing drywall is not difficult. It’s easy to do yourself and is often quite affordable. Once you’ve completed a drywall repair, you can then use drywall texture to blend the repair in with the rest of the wall. A drywall texture spray can work well for this task, and you can even apply it like a paint!
To patch a large hole in drywall, you can use joint compound (also known as drywall mud). You can apply joint compound using a putty knife, and then smooth it out so that it’s flush with the wall. You can use reinforcing mesh if the hole is larger than half an inch, and you should avoid using joint compound directly on big gouges. Otherwise, the damage will reappear when the house settles.
A drywall screw or nail has likely come loose from the wall. Luckily, the repair is easy. Just scrape off any loose debris, apply a layer of spackle, and allow it to dry. Once dry, sand the area and paint over the patch. This is a good way to fix a large hole without having to repaint the entire wall. Then, you can apply paint or primer to finish the repair.
When you’ve completed the entire project, you’ll have repaired a large hole in the drywall. Even if it seems like an intimidating process, it’s actually quite easy and requires little experience. And unlike many other home improvement projects, repairing drywall is quick and easy. You can tackle it yourself if you’ve got basic hand tools and a few minutes to spare. The finished drywall repair project should cost you less than $100. For more information contact: newceilings.com/drywall-repair
