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The drywall repair method on this page can be used to patch holes of up to a square foot or so and down to a few inches, in drywall and plaster walls but not in ceilings. The drywall patch would sag if used on a ceiling, causing a bulge in the finished repair. Try the method here to repair large holes in ceilings.

We use a 30 minute setting–type joint compound, or mud, for the first few coats on this repair. The final coat is made using ready–mixed drywall compound for easier final sanding and a smoother finish.

marking the wall to repair a drywall hole

Mark a Square Hole

Using a framing square, mark the wall surrounding the hole to form a square.

cutting out a square wall hole

Cut with a Saw

Cut out the hole, sawing from the center out to each corner with a drywall saw.

scoring the back of the drywall patch

Score with a Knife

Score the pencil lines around the hole with a sharp drywall knife. Snap the drywall along the score lines and cut the damaged pieces free to form a new, squared hole.

sanding a drywall patch

Make a Drywall Patch

Cut a piece of drywall about 4 inches larger than the new hole.

making a drywall patch

Mark the Hole Dimensions

Turn the drywall to the back and holding it against the wall, mark the size of the new hole on the patch. Mark the dimensions to be a little smaller than the opening in the wall, to make the patch fit easily without forcing.

scoring the back of a drywall patch

Cut the Patch

Join the marks on the back of the drywall patch with a pencil line and score each one with a sharp drywall knife.

breaking the gypsum core off the back of the drywall patch

Remove the Gypsum

Snap the drywall along one score–line at a time and pull the backing paper and gypsum core away, leaving the facing paper attached to the patch.

applying joint compound to the perimeter of the wall hole

Apply Compound Around the Hole

See the instructions for mixing and handling setting joint compound. Mix about a cup of the powdered compound as directed and then thin it with a little more water than recommended. This will make it easier to stick the new patch to the wall.

Apply a thick coat of mud around the perimeter of the hole, overlapping the inner edges.

pressing the drywall patch into the hole

Insert the Drywall Patch

Press the drywall patch into the opening. Lightly press the paper flaps into the mud so they make good contact. Push lightly on the center of the patch to be sure it is seated into the hole and level with the wall, or slightly indented. Don't allow the patch to sit above the wall level, this will create a bulge in the finished repair.

skimming the joint compound to stick the patch to the wall

Stick the Patch Down

Use a drywall joint knife to squeeze the mud from between the wall and the paper edges of the patch. Work around the perimeter of the patch, pressing firmly with the joint knife to squeeze all but a very thin coat of mud from between the paper and the wall. Stroke away from the center of the patch in a radial pattern. Make sure the patch is flush with, or just below the wall surface and let the mud set.

applying joint compound over the wall patch

Apply a Second Mud Coat

When the first application is dry, cover the patch and surrounding wall with a thick coat of setting joint compound.

skim coating to cover the patch and wall

Smooth it Out

With a wide joint knife, immediately skim off the excess mud to smooth it out. Go over the patch a couple times to leave a semi–smooth finish and let the mud set.

skim coating to cover the patch and wall

Apply a Finish Mud Coat

When the patch is dry use ready–mixed joint compound to apply a final coat. Apply a thick coat of mud first and then skim off the surface to leave a smooth finish. To help level the patch, skim the mud with perpendicular strokes to the pervious coat. If you stroked horizontally with the last coat, stroke vertically with this one.

sanding a drywall patch

Sand and Touch Up the Paint

Allow the mud to dry completely and sand the repair, feathering the edges into the surrounding wall surface. Wipe the dust from the repair with a damp rag to remove all joint compound residue before priming and painting.

If you are using flat latex finish paint, you can use it to prime the repair. If you are using semi–gloss or other shiny paint, prime with flat latex paint or a latex primer first.

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