the painted surface

How To Patch a Hole

Repair a Large Hole

Larger holes are a bit more work but still a simple task. They will take longer to repair and the drying times are lengthened due to the amount and number of times drywall mud is applied. Here are the steps to a successful drywall repair.

• Remove any loosened pieces of drywall around the damaged area.
• Measure the hole at the widest and tallest span, it does not have to be exact. This measurement indicates how large the replacement piece of drywall or sheetrock will need to be. For example, if the size of the hole is about 6 by 8 inches, cut the replacement piece 7 by 9 inches.
• Hold this piece over the hole and mark an outline around it in pencil.
• Cut out the wall with a drywall saw on the outline leaving a hole in the wall the size of the replacement piece.
• Now is needed a way to hold the piece in the hole. Two strips of wood are placed in the hole spanning the open space and held in place by screwing into them through the drywall outside the damaged area. These strips should be three-quarters of an inch thick, about two inches wide and long enough to span the hole from the inside of the wall. Tighten the screws enough to pull the strips tight against the inside of the wall and for the screw heads to recess into the front face of the wall.
• Place the replacement piece into the hole and screw through it into the strips of wood. The patch should feel secure and firmly attached.
• With a rounded handle end of a putty knife or screwdriver burnish down the crack between the patch and wall to push in the edges slightly below the surface.
• Apply drywall tape in a single layer over the crack between patch and wall.
• Apply the first coat of drywall mud over the patch, tape and slightly beyond the size of the patch. A light, smooth coat is best.
• When the first coat is dry lightly sand it to remove the roughest parts and the ridges left by the drywall knife. It does not have to be perfectly smooth at this stage.
• Apply a second coat over the entire patch and beyond the first to feather out the edges.
• Allow the second coat to completly dry and sand with a medium grit sandpaper or sanding sponge.
• Apply a third coat of drywall mud over the entire patch and slightly beyond to feather out the edges. Usually this is the last coat and should smooth out the entire patch.
• Allow the third coat to completely dry and sand with a medium to fine grit sandpaper or sanding sponge.
• Prime over the entire patch with drywall primer, allow to dry and the surface is ready to paint.

This method should leave a smooth and hidden patch. Use the same method for even larger patches. If the damaged area spans over a wall stud or ceiling joist be sure to screw the replacement piece into the stud or joist.

These steps should make patching a hole a simpler task. More details about specific painting subjects are covered in the additional articles. In those will be found details, tips and techniques gathered from over 20 years of painting experience. Here is a list of links to the articles: