How-to fix holes and dents in drywall

Small, clean holes in drywall can be quickly repaired with spackling compound or wood filler. Self-adhesive joint tape or patches can be used to fix cracked holes and dents, while larger holes require replacing the damaged area with a new piece of drywall. Here’s how to do it.

Difficulty level: Easy

Duration: 1 to 4 hours

Material

1 box – 1 ¼" coarse-thread drywall screws Wood laths - 2" x ¾"Adhesive-backed fiberglass wallboard tape Self-adhesive repair patch, either aluminium or fibreglass mesh Putty stick Spackling compound Undamaged pieces of wall board Wood filler

Tools

Carpenter's pencil Drywall knife Drywall saw or jigsaw Electronic stud finder Framing square Sandpaper Scissors Drill with Phillips head screwdriver bit Measuring tape Taping knife, Joint knife, Finishing knife, Finishing trowel Paint brush

Notes

Use spackling compound or wood filler to hide screw heads as well as finishing nails. Spackle is used for repairing drywall.
Wood filler is weather-resistant, does not contract, is available in an assortment of colours and may be sanded and painted.
If the holes and cracks continually reappear use flexible filler.
Once the repair job is done it is recommended that the entire wall be painted to better conceal the repair.

Patch a hole up to 2" in diameter

If the hole is clean with no cracks or damage surrounding it:

1.1 - Lightly sand the edges to improve the adhesion of the spackling compound or wood filler.
1.2 - Wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth to remove the dust.
1.3 - Fill the hole with spackling compound or wood filler so that the product overflows slightly from the edges.
1.4 - Spread the excess so that it forms a small bulge. Let dry.
1.5 - Sand the surface until it is smooth and blends with the original surface.
1.6 - Repeat the previous steps if the hole is not completely filled, until the patched area blends with the original surface.

Patch a hole with cracked edges

For cracked or broken surfaces, use self-adhesive mesh repair tape to cover the area.

2.1 - Lightly sand the surface in a 1' - 2' area around the hole.
2.2 - Wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth to remove the dust.
2.3 - Cut a piece of repair tape to cover the hole.
2.4 - Press the tape over the hole. Apply light pressure so as not to compromise the strength of the drywall.
2.5 - Coat the tape and surrounding area with spackling compound.
2.6 - Spread a second layer of spackling compound thinner and thinner as you move away from the hole.
2.7 - Let dry.
2.8 - Sand the surface then wipe it with a damp cloth.
2.9 - Repeat the process as many times as necessary to ensure that the repaired area blends seamlessly with the original surface.

Patch holes 2" - 5" in diameter with a self-adhesive repair patch

3.1 - Wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth to remove the dust.
3.2 - Remove the backing from the self-adhesive patch and stick over the hole.
3.3 - Coat with spackling compound using a trowel, and let dry.
3.4 - Spread a second layer of spackling compound, thinner and thinner as you move away from the hole.
3.5 - Let dry.
3.6 - Sand the surface then wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
3.7 - Repeat the process as many times as necessary to ensure that the repaired area blends seamlessly with the original surface

Repair large holes with a new piece of drywall

4.1 - Trace the outline of a rectangle around the hole.
4.2 - Check for utilities such as pipes and electrical cables. If any are present, mark their position on the outside of the wall.
4.3 - Cut out the damaged drywall and clean the edges of the hole.
4.4 - Cut two wood laths, 3" longer than the height of the hole.
4.5 - Mark the end of the laths at 1 ½"
4.6 - Place one of the laths vertically behind the wall, aligning the marks with the top and bottom of the hole.
4.7 - Hold the lath in place and screw through the drywall into each end using 1 ¼" coarse drywall screws.
4.8 - Repeat for the second lath.
4.9 - Measure the opening and trace these dimensions onto the piece of undamaged drywall board.
4.10 - Cut out the new section.
4.11 - Insert the section of drywall into the hole and screw it to the wood laths.
4.12 - Lightly sand the surface in a 1' - 2' area around the hole.
4.13 - Wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth to remove the dust.
4.14 - Apply adhesive-backed fibreglass wallboard tape over the joints.
4.15 - Cover with spackling compound using the taping knife.
4.16 - Spread less and less compound as you move farther away from the hole. Let dry.
4.17 - Sand, wipe clean with a damp cloth, and repeat the process until the repaired section blends seamlessly with the original surface.

How-to fix holes and dents in drywall

Notes

Patch a hole up to 2" in diameter

Patch a hole with cracked edges

Patch holes 2" - 5" in diameter with a self-adhesive repair patch

Repair large holes with a new piece of drywall

Suggested products

Got a project coming up?

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How-to fix holes and dents in drywall

Notes

Patch a hole up to 2" in diameter

Patch a hole with cracked edges

Patch holes 2" - 5" in diameter with a self-adhesive repair patch

Repair large holes with a new piece of drywall

Suggested products

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