How to Repair Small-, Medium- and Large-Sized Holes in Your Walls

For holes that are even larger, – say, 10″x10″ – you will need a piece of window screen (a little larger than your hole), some string and some masking tape and compound. Tie a couple of pieces of your string to the center of the screen patch and use them to pull the screen tight onto the back of the wall. Use your masking tape to tape down the string on the outside of the wall and start patching the hole with your compound. Apply one layer and let it harden, then apply a second layer to achieve a level wall. Once the second layer is dried you can then cut the strings and proceed with sanding.

For even larger holes, you will need to cut a piece of drywall to fit the hole (you may have to cut the hole even more to make it an even shape, so the drywall will have a nice fit), and proceed with your compound and sanding. So the first order of business is to figure out the size of your hole and which will be the best method of repair.

2. Prep work
Once you have discovered the proper method to repair your hole, make sure you have all of your tools and materials need. Once your compound is mixed up you will need to use it quickly to avoid having it dry up on you and only use a small amount to begin you can always mix more if you need it. If you’re filling a big hole then be sure that the sheet rock is cut and you are ready to repair before mixing. Make a point to re-check any measurings so that you don’t make any mistakes.

3. Do not use too much spackling compound
If you’ve got a very large hole then using the compound by it self won’t work since there’s nothing for it to adhere to and the patch will either crack or break in the future. Use the least amount of compound as possible. Using more compound than you need means that you’ll have more to sand down and make even.

4. Patience is a virtue
When you’re attempting to accomplish any task then you need patience in order to achieve a desired affect. If you sand the compound too soon before it’s fully dried you will probably have to re-apply it and then wait again, so read the instructions and follow them.

5. Sandpapering and Finishing
Even if the compound looks smooth it probably isn’t. After you sand it and it looks good, feel it with your fingertips they will tell you if it’s really as smooth as it appears. There are probably little bumps and dips that you won’t be able to see with your eyes. Once it’s completely smoothed out, clean the wall very thoroughly and make sure you get off any excess dust particles. Begin applying a very thing coat of paint and let it dry for about fifteen to twenty minutes, apply two more coats in this manner and your wall should look brand new.