Here’s How to Patch Drywall in Just a Few Easy Steps

AD It YourselfHow to Repair Drywall and Patch Holes in the Wall Like a ProWant to get rid of nail holes and unsightly dents in your walls? Learn how to get your space back into move-in condition

By Katherine McLaughlin

February 15, 2022

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Spackle is your friend when learning how to repair drywall.Photo: Kativ/Getty Images

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One thing any renter (or homeowner, for that matter) should know is how to repair drywall. Because no matter how hard you try to keep your walls pristine, there are bound to be dings and dents from furniture and holes left when you rearrange that salon-style art display. Luckily, you can usually repair drywall damage yourself without having to dial up the contractor or handyman. All you need are the right tools and the correct approach for the type of damage. Learn how to patch drywall, whether small nail holes or large damage, and your wall surfaces will soon look as good as the day you moved in (so you can get that security deposit back).

Timeline

Drywall, a.k.a. gypsum board, is the standard construction material for all interior walls. Though it’s incredibly sturdy, it’s not indestructible, so holes and cracks are expected to form in the surface of the drywall. Luckily, as far as DIY home improvement projects go, patching drywall is a fairly straightforward process.

Ultimately, it all depends on the size of the hole or the amount of damage you’re dealing with, but the process shouldn’t take more than a few hours. Repairs for small holes might not even take half an hour. If it’s your first time doing the repairs solo, plan for an hour or two out of your day. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be fixing damaged drywall in a blink.

Tools

First things first, assess your damage. The size and scope of repairs will determine which tools you’ll need to gather. Small holes or dents—like those caused by nails—usually only need a thin layer of joint compound (also called drywall mud) or Spackle, a putty knife, and some sandpaper.

Larger holes, which may come from accidents around the house, usually require more supplies. For anything bigger than four or five inches across, expect, at minimum, to need a whole new piece of drywall, a drywall saw, a utility knife, furring strips, a drill, drywall screws, and joint compound.

Before you make your shopping list and head to the hardware store, consult the directions below. Generally, the tools and supplies you will need if you’re learning how to patch a hole in drywall are:

Small holes

Spackle or joint compound

Putty knife

Sanding sponge or fine-grit sandpaper

Medium holes

Spackle

Putty Knife

Sanding sponge or fine-grit sandpaper

Self-adhesive mesh patch

Note: To save time, you can usually get all of these supplies in a drywall patch kit.

Large holes

Measuring tape

Stud finder

Pencil

Drywall saw

Utility knife

Drywall scraps

Drywall screws

Drill

Furring strips (.75" x 2"–1" x 4")

Joint tape

Joint compound

Sanding sponge

Safety first

After gathering all of your supplies, be sure to check the location of wiring and plumbing before you begin repairs. If you’re patching anything larger than small nail holes, use a flashlight to peek into the hole first. You should be able to see if there are any wires or pipes before you start your repairs. If you need to enlarge the hole to get a better look, cut the hole horizontally using a drywall knife—just make sure you don’t go deeper than an inch. You should also wear a dust mask, protective goggles, and gloves.

How to repair drywall: Small dents and holes

Since they are the easiest to repair, small dents and holes require the least amount of time, effort, and materials. Follow the steps below to quickly fix any small imperfections in your wall.

Scrape away any loose residue, such as chipping paint.

Cover with Spackle, and smooth with a putty knife to make it level with the wall.

Once the Spackle is completely dry, after usually 1–2 hours, sand and paint.

Note: Though Spackle is typically the standard when repairing small holes, if you prefer, you can also apply joint compound instead. However, this option may take longer to dry, and it’s usually harder to get a smooth finish.

How to repair drywall: Medium holes

For medium-size holes, like those caused by door knobs or large nails, a drywall patch kit is going to be your friend. These handy sets will have all of the materials you’d use on smaller holes—like Spackle, a putty knife, and sandpaper—but it will also include a self-adhesive mesh patch. For medium-size holes, mesh patches reinforce the wall and simplify the spackling process.

If you have these four things lying around your house, feel free to skip the official kit and get to work on the following steps.

Sand the wall around the hole and wipe off any dust.

Apply the self-adhesive mesh patch on the damaged area.

Cover the patch with joint compound or Spackle, depending on what comes in your kit. Feather the edges of the joint compound by increasing the pressure on the putty knife as you spread it on the existing drywall.

Let dry and apply a second coat of joint compound if necessary. Sand the surface until smooth, wipe away any dust, and paint.

How to repair drywall: Large holes

For large holes, you’ll need to patch the area with a fresh piece of drywall backed by a wood support. Be sure to use drywall that is the same thickness as the existing material. Many home improvement stores carry drywall scraps, eliminating the need to buy an entire sheet. You’ll be cutting the damaged wall, so make sure you’ve also got a drywall saw handy for this repair.

Use a stud finder to find the studs on both sides nearest to the hole. Mark those locations, then mark another three quarters of an inch father into the stud—this will be the halfway mark for the stud itself.

Check for any electrical wire or plumbing, and if the coast is clear, use a drywall saw to cut along your lines up the stud.

Use a utility knife to cut the drywall away from the stud up to the three quarters of an inch mark. Your end result should be a square or rectangle with half of the stud visible on either side of the shape.

Attach a small piece of wood, known as a furring strip, vertically inside the cut-out hole using a drill and drywall screws. Screw the furring strips into the existing drywall. Between the two existing studs and the furring strip, the new drywall will have plenty of support to avoid cracking.

Cut the new drywall scrap into a square or rectangle to size. It should fit evenly in the wall cutout.

Use drywall screws and a drill to attach the new drywall to the studs and furring strips.

Apply joint tape (using joint compound if it isn’t self-adhesive) around the edges of the patch (a.k.a. the drywall joints).

Spread a thin coat of joint compound over the patch and tape, increasing pressure around the edges to feather the material. Let the compound dry—this usually takes about 24 hours. Once dry, apply a second coat if necessary.

Sand until smooth, wipe away any dust, and paint.

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