How to Patch a Hole in the Wall

Just when you think that you can get started with painting, you notice a hole in the wall. Although you could always frame the hole and pretend it’s wall art, a much better option is to repair the hole and get on with your redecorating.

You may be tempted to call the professionals to repair your wall but patching up a wall is a fairly easy DIY project. Here are the steps you should take to repair any damage before you paint. 

Gather Your Supplies

Most hardware stores sell drywall repair kits with everything that you need to patch up a hole in the wall. If you can’t find one, make your own. You will need spackle, sandpaper, a heavy-duty aluminum sticky patch, and a putty knife to apply everything.

Clean the Surface

Usually, when there is a hole, debris from the impact stays around the gap. This includes paint fragments, dust, and pieces of drywall. Before you can apply your patch, you need to clean that debris away. Pick off larger patches with your finger and use a scraper to shave down persistent paint fragments.

Then, go over the edges of the hole with sandpaper. The adhesive patch will only stick to your wall if it has a smooth surface, so you want to get rid of any ridges or bumps that will stop it from sticking.

Apply the Patch

First, center the patch over the hole. Then, apply it to the wall, pressing down on the adhesive. Use your fingers or the putty knife to really press the patch against the wall.

If you have a larger hole on your hands, then a patch may not be enough to cover it. In that case, you can make your own patch out of a piece of spare drywall. Cut the drywall to a similar size as the hole, with a two-inch border that is just the paper backing. Apply the new chunk of drywall to the hole with putty.

Cover the Patch

Once you’ve fitted the patch or chunk of drywall into the hole, cover it with putty or spackling using the putty knife. You want to lay down a thin layer that blends into the edges to avoid a noticeable hump in your wall. Feather the edges by dragging the putty knife with more force toward the edge of the hole.

Finally, you can cover the surface. Sand down the patch or repaired chunk to smooth out the spackling and give the paint a smooth surface to adhere to. Then, cover it with the same shade of paint as the rest of the wall, or get ready with redecorating.

Accidents happen, and sometimes you’ll get holes in your drywall. The good news is that it is easy enough to repair this on your own before painting. If it is a small hole, use a DIY kit or an adhesive patch and cover it with spackling. Larger holes require a bit more work, but if you are willing to measure out a chunk of drywall and cut it to size, you can still do it yourself.