![]() Begin by placing the patch over the hole, then spread joint compound over the patch and smooth around the edges. Most drywall repair kits come with everything you need for wall repair, including the mesh, spackle, putty knife, and sandpaper. Resist the urge to attempt to fill the hole with spackle as it will crumble after it dries. If you’re fixing damage that’s larger than a small nail hole, you’ll need to use a mesh drywall patch to complete the repair. Disposable gloves are also a good idea to protect your hands from the dehydrating effects of gypsum dust. So always wear a dust mask when sanding drywall compound. The fine particulate of drywall compound could injure your lungs if inhaled. After the first round of sanding, add a second layer of mud, spreading it about 2 inches beyond the boundaries of the first layer. Once the repaired area is dry, take to it with some fine-grit (100 or 120) sandpaper. If you cut corners on sanding drywall the repair site will be noticeable, so take your time. DON’T skimp on sanding after patching holes in drywall. Hold the knife at a 70-degree angle, pressing harder on the outer edges of the mud as you move away from the center. Also, for joint compound to appear flush with the wall near the damage site, “feather” the mud as you apply it. ![]() A thin coat is easier to sand, and you’ll be less likely to remove too much while sanding and expose the patch. Less is generally more when it comes to joint compound. Wires and pipes are often found where they don’t belong. It’s safe to assume that hot wires will be present near an electrical outlet, but don’t bet your life-or life savings-that homebuilders or renovators followed all electrical and plumbing codes. If you must enlarge the hole, carefully cut horizontally with a drywall saw-but avoid going deeper than an inch. If the hole is just a few inches wide, shine a flashlight into it to see what’s there. DON’T cut hidden electrical cords.īe safe and don’t cut into a wall to repair a hole until you verify that electrical cords and plumbing lines aren’t running through the space behind it. Otherwise your finished work will show bumps and other blemishes. Use a box cutter or other sharp blade to remove random strands of drywall tape or frayed edges of wallboard paper around holes or cracks before applying joint compound. A drywall compound and primer combo, such as 3M Patch Plus Primer, leaves a surface that’s ready to paint. ![]() Patch drywall using kits with reinforced center panels for larger holes and self-adhesive tape for smaller holes. Īvail yourself of pre-made products designed to simplify repair tasks. If you apply joint compound directly to large gouges, the damage will reappear as the house settles and the joint compound dries and crumbles. Cracks or holes larger than ½ inch require reinforcing mesh prior to spackling. Apply using a 3- to 4-inch putty knife made for repairing drywall-rather than, say, the kind of narrow utility knife you’d use for wood putty-smoothing the filler till it’s flush with the wall. When repairing minor scratches or dents smaller than ½ inch across, fill them with a thin layer of joint compound (also known as drywall mud).
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