From nail holes to doorknob holes, find the right patch for the damage you have.
Small holes and dents come from nails, screws, anchors and bumps. They only need filling and a smooth finish. Difficulty: Level 1: First Wins. Plan on 15 min to 1 hr + drying.
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Knock down any raised edges with the putty knife or a light sanding.
Press lightweight spackle into the hole and pull the knife across it, leaving it slightly overfilled.
Let it dry fully. The label gives the time; deeper holes take longer.
Sand it flush with a fine sanding sponge, wipe off the dust, then prime and paint the spot.
Spackle shrinks slightly as it dries, so deeper holes often need a second thin coat. Difficulty: Level 1: First Wins. Plan on 15 min to 1 hr + drying.
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Spackle shrinks a little as it dries. Apply a thin second coat slightly wider than the first.
Dry, sand lightly, prime, then paint. Primer keeps the patch from looking dull next to the wall.
Holes up to doorknob size are too big to fill on their own. A mesh patch gives the compound something to hold onto. Difficulty: Level 1: First Wins. Plan on 15 min to 1 hr + drying.
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Trim away torn paper and loose bits around the hole with a utility knife.
Stick the mesh patch centered over the hole and press it flat.
Spread a thin coat of joint compound over the patch, feathering it a couple of inches past the edges.
Let it dry, then apply a second, wider coat. A third thin coat may be needed.
Sand smooth, prime, and paint.
Large holes need a new piece of drywall backed by wood strips, because filler and mesh patches can't span that gap. Difficulty: Level 1: First Wins. Plan on 15 min to 1 hr + drying.
Safety: Before cutting, check what's behind the wall. Pipes and wires often run there. Cut shallow and turn off power to nearby outlets if you're unsure.
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Before cutting, check what's behind the wall. Pipes and wires often run there. Cut shallow and turn off power to nearby outlets if you're unsure.
Draw a square around the damage and cut it out with a drywall saw.
Screw wood strips inside the opening, behind the top and bottom edges, to give the patch something to attach to.
Cut a drywall piece of the same thickness to fit the opening and screw it to the strips.
Tape the seams with mesh tape, then cover with two or three thin coats of joint compound, feathering each one wider.
Sand, prime and paint.
Wet, soft or stained drywall means a leak from plumbing, the roof or a window. A patch over it will fail, and trapped moisture can grow mold.
Find and fix the source of the water and let the area dry completely before patching. If you can't find the leak, call a plumber or roofer. If mold covers a large area (roughly 10 square feet or more), get a mold remediation professional.