Repair small drywall holes

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THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO REPAIR A SMALL DRYWALL HOLE

How you repair a small hole in your drywall depends largely on how much time you have and on how much effort you want to spend on the job.
If your time is limited you may want to look into one of the two following options.

FOR DOORKNOB HOLES: You can buy a 6 inch round cover at most hardware stores that simply sticks onto the wall over the hole, without having to fix the hole.

FOR OTHER SMALL HOLES: Your local hardware store will sell you a drywall repair kit. The kits come in various sizes and types for different applications (ex: a patch for a ceiling is thicker than one for a wall). Simply follow the manufacturer's instructions and you should be all set.

If you'd rather do the entire thing from scratch, here are two simple repair methods for you to choose from.

THE "HAT PATCH" REPAIR METHOD

With a keyhole saw, cut a square around the hole (the hole is now square). Make it as small as possible. Do not worry about studs or backing. Sand the edges of the hole lightly to remove burrs from the sawing. Now cut a patch from a new piece of drywall about 3 inches larger than the hole that you're trying to cover. Turn the new drywall over and cut 1-1/2 inches on each side with a razor knife. Be very careful not to cut through the face paper. Carefully peel the 1-1/2 inch pieces off the face paper and discard. Clean the back of the face paper on the patch to remove any small bits.

Place joint compound around the edges of the hole for at least 2 inches on each side. Be sure to mud the raw edges of the old drywall. Insert the patch into the hole and drag mud down each side. Now cover the entire area with a very thin coat of mud and let it dry. When completely dry sand the area very lightly.

If necessary, apply a second coat and allow it to dry. When completely dry, sand the area lightly. You are now ready to prime and paint the area.

THE "TIN CAN LID" REPAIR METHOD

Small holes, the size of golf balls or doorknobs can be backed with some tight fitting plug, something like a can lid or cardboard will work just fine. The plug (tin can lid or piece of cardboard) should be 1-1/2 inches larger in diameter than the hole in the drywall.

Use a keyhole saw to cut out a narrow horizontal slit in the wall on each side of the hole. The measurement of the hole plus both narrow slits should equal the diameter of the lid or cardboard you'll be using as a plug so that you can insert the plug sideways into the hole.

Now, punch two hole in the center of the plug with something like an awl and thread a 12 inch piece of wire through the holes. Holding the ends of the wire, slide the plug through the hole. If you measured correctly it should fit nicely through the slits. Still holding the wire, pull the plug toward you until it's flat against the inside of the wall. To hold it in place, set a scrap of wood over the hole on the outside of the wall and twist the wire tightly over the stick. The plug should be held firmly against the inside of the wall.

Using a putty knife, apply drywall compound over the patch. Pack the compound into the hole against backing and behind the stick. Keep the compound inside the hole, cover the backing and fill the slits, but don't spread it on the wall surface. Leave patch slightly low, and don't try to level it. Let the patch dry until it turns bright white. Typically at least 24 hours. When dry, cut the wire and remove the stick. To finish the patch, fill it completely with more drywall compound to make the patch level with the wall surface. Let dry, lightly sand area, prime and paint. Have a repair question? CONTACT US

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