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Tips for Patching a Hole in the Wall
from: Maxx Home GuidesIt’s quite easy to make a hole in a wall, but how easy is it to fix the hole? Actually, it's easier than you might think to repair any size hole in your wall. Here are five easy tips to follow.
1. Determine the Size of Your Hole
Different size holes, of cours, will require slightly different repair methods. If you have a nail or small hole, you can simply patch it with compound. Once it;s dried, sand the spot for a smooth finish.
If you it's slightly larger (about the size of a switch box opening), you can fill the hole with newspaper before applying the compound so provide more stability which also means you won't have to use as much compound.
For medium size holes (about 30" x 30"), you'll need to use a technique called the "hot patch" which means you'l have to fill the hole with some drywall with a flap on each edge.
For very large holes, you'll need to treat them as entirely new areas to be covered. Remove any nails or screws that might be showing in the framing and then cut a brand new piece of drywall. You'll have to secure the drywall and then tape, sand and finish the new wall. Measure your hole and then go from there and make sure you use the proper patching technique for the size hole.
2. Preparation
Once you’ve decided on the technique you need to use to fill your hole, gather together all the supplies you'll need to get the job done. It will save you time later on by having enough compound mixed and the right tools to apply it. You'll have to work fairly quickly once the compound is mixed and ready, so don't risk it drying out because you forgot to lay out all of the tools.
If you're filling a larger hole, have the drywall cut and ready before you even think about mixing compound. At this point you could double check the size of the hole so you're absolutely certain the technique you’ve decided to use is the correct one. The last thing you want to to get halfway through filling the hole and then decide you need backing material such as newspapers to hold the compound in place.
3. Don’t Over Spackle
Be aware that applying enough of your compound won't necessarily solve all of your problems. With a medium or large hole, using just compound won’t be effective because it has nothing to grip onto. The end result is a very unstable patching job that will probably crack or fall apart. Even on small patch-ups, you shouldn't apply too much compound. The secret with compound application is to apply as little as possible and as do it as smoothly as possible. By applying too much compound or if it's applied unevenly, you'll have to do a lot of sanding and there are times the compound can still be seen once painted over. So try to remember that moderation is the key to a successful patch job.
4. Have Patience
When trying to complete a new home project, you're often anxious to get moving. However, when patching a hole, you should take your time and make sure that your compound is completely dry before moving on to the sanding and finishing stages. If you try to sand before the compound is dry, you could make more of a mess than you had at the start or may need to start from all over again. Avoid problems by following the directions for the compound you're using, particularly regarding drying time. Take some time away from the project because this is a good time to clean all of your tools so the compound doesn’t dry on them.
5. Sanding and Finishing
Even though the hole may seem smooth, you shouldn't skip the sanding process. There may be little ridges you can't see that will become more obvious once you begin painting. Sand the area lightly so you don't take off too much compound. Clean the area of all dust from the sanding and then proceed to the painting stage.
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