How to Patch a Small Hole in Drywall. Mesh patches can repair holes up to about 3' inches around. How to Patch Drywall.PlanItDIY is a source for. Apply a thin layer of drywall compound to the seams and cover with mesh tape, bedding the tape in the. Wal-Board Tools - 6 in. Drywall Repair Self Adhesive Wall Patch - This self-adhering patch is metal for lasting repair, and features a mesh for extra. How to Repair a Medium- Size Hole in Drywall. Repairing drywall is a great do- it- yourselfer task because tools and materials are cheap, and there’s very little risk (to you or the house). Plus, if you can master the repair, it’s a skill that will serve you well no matter if you own or rent. So before you call the local handyman next time, give yourself a chance to tackle this basic, home improvement project. Editors Note: This is a great tutorial that I put together in March of 2. Best of OPC section found in the right sidebar.
If you read through the comments, you’ll find some alternative drywall repair suggestions, and some of them are valid options. However, the method I describe here is tried- and- true, and it results in a flawless, durable patch every time. Furthermore, a number of drywall contractors confirm that this is how they tackle a medium sized repair. Materials List. Drywall (see below)Mesh tape (see below)Setting compound (see below)Backer boards (see below)1- 1/4. Purchase a piece bigger than the hole because you’ll be squaring it out (and making it slightly larger). Home improvement centers often sell 2 x 2. Drywall is commonly available in 1/4. Most interior walls have 1/2. Paper tape is another alternative, and it results in a stronger joint. If you expect any sort of movement or stress on the joint, paper tape will better resist cracks. If you use mesh tape, I recommend avoiding the pre- mixed joint compound (more on that next). Setting Compound: Setting compound (or hot mud) is a powder that comes in a bag and needs to be mixed with water. Unlike joint compound which dries through evaporation, setting compound dries through a chemical reaction, shrinks very little and dries very hard. Setting compound is differentiated by drying time (in minutes), and you’ll find 5, 2. Setting compound is nice because you’re able to apply a second coat without waiting too long. I purchased an easy- sand, 5 minute compound. If you’re a novice to patching drywall, go with a longer drying time. Backer Boards: Repairing a medium- sized hole in drywall calls for adding a new piece of drywall. To secure this new piece, you’ll need some sort of backer boards, and I used small pieces of 1/4. I’d guess the previous owner opened to door too hard, and instead of repairing the damage, covered it with a plastic wall bumper. Cutting a circular (or other oddly shaped) piece of drywall is tedious. Instead, I like to widen the hole into a square or rectangle. I recommend scoring the edges with a utility knife before you start sawing. Step 2: Secure the Backer Board. This is a medium- sized hole, and it’s impossible to simply fill the void with compound. I need to add a new piece of drywall, and to fasten the drywall, I need some sort of backing or furring strip. To accomplish this, I slide a piece of 1/4. For this hole, there is a stud nearby so I cut the drywall to expose half the stud. This gives me a nice nailing surface of the left side. Now I just secure my backer board to the right side. Step 3: Cut a New Piece of Drywall. Use your utility knife and/or drywall saw to cut a new piece of drywall that fits into the hole. Step 4: Cover the Joints with Tape. I covered the entire new piece of drywall and all the edges with mesh tape. Often you’ll see people cover the screw heads too (which is fine but I didn’t). Step 5: Mix Compound and Apply First Coat. It doesn’t take much compound to cover a hole like this. I mixed a little powder and water until the compound had a thick, “mashed- potato” consistency. This is important because if the compound is too wet, it’ll result in a poor bond. Sloppy mud is also a pain to work. Keep adding powder (or water) as necessary until your satisfied. Using the 6. Make sure you embed all the mesh tape, and try to eliminate any air pockets. Step 6: Second Coat. While the first coat dried, I mixed up another small batch of compound. I didn’t bother to sand in between the first and second coat, using my knife to check for any high points. If you’re really good at patching, you can finish everything off in two coats. I fully expected to need a third coat. After the second coat dried, I used 1. The goal is to create a seamless transition so you’ll never know the wall was damaged. Step 7: Final Coat. When you apply the final coat, try to make it as smooth as possible. It’ll save you from having do a lot of sanding. Step 8: Sand Smooth. Feather all the edges by sanding them smooth, and give the rest of the patch a once- over to eliminate any dimples or ridges. Feel everything with your hand to make sure it’s all even. Step 9: Prime. It’s really important to prime your drywall repair because compound will absorb paint differently, and even if you did a good patch job, without primer it’ll be obvious. Step 1. 0: Paint. We keep a little leftover paint for each room for just this purpose. I like to roll the paint because I can notice brush strokes, and again that’s a giveaway that you patched the drywall. Rolling the paint gives it the same texture as the rest of the wall. If you enjoyed this project, why don’t you check out the other home improvement how- tos available in the Project Guides section. Subscribe and never miss an article! Free articles delivered conveniently to your inbox(and no spam, we promise)Enjoy this?
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October 2017
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