How do you Repair Drywall Holes?

​Drywall repair sometimes can be a DIY type of project. There are holes that are so small the homeowner could take care of them him/herself if they desire to put the physical effort in.

If the drywall hole is small, you can buy a wire mesh patch sold in small sizes, which you can place over the hole. In addition, you will need mesh tape to apply at the seams between the wire mesh plaster patch and the existing wall or ceiling surface.

If the drywall hole is large, you will need to obtain a piece of drywall 1/2" or 5/8's thick, depending on the thickness of your existing board, cut a square piece a little larger then the hole itself, place the drywall piece over the hole, mark around it with a pencil, and then cut out the squared hole. Next, cut two pieces of strapping larger than the hole and screw the pieces inside the hole with drywall screws so that you will be able to screw the new piece of drywall patch in place onto the strappings. The next step would be apply the mesh tape at the seams along with 2 coats of spackle/mud with a putty knife at a width of about 8-10 inches to blend in with the existing surface. Make it as smooth as you can, wait for it to dry and sand it before you apply a textured finish to match the existing finish or keep it smooth to have it ready to prime and paint.

In summary:

• Get a piece of drywall 1/2" or 5/8's thick
• Cut a square piece and mark around with a pencil
• Install pieces of strapping for the new patch
• Apply mesh tape and 2 coats of mud
• Make it as smooth as possible
• Wait to dry and sand it

Drywall repair can be extremely messy, especially when you need to sand. So, before you do anything, cover and protect the work area. If you don't want to deal with the mess, hire a professional plasterer to handle it for you. Contact Boston Plastering for assistance.

Boston - MetroWest - Worcester - South Shore - North Shore