Have you ever put a hole in the wall?
My earliest memory of damaged drywall is when I was a child. My sister and I were jumping on the bed. Right before my eyes, my sister crashed into the wall leaving quite an impression. To say that my parents weren’t happy is an understatement.
When I was a teenager, my fist hit the walls often, again to the dismay of my parents.
Now, as a parent, I am the one who has to repair the holes in the wall. My boys are always playing one game or another. Many times this ends in damage.
This is how we fix the little holes.
Get a repair kit at the hardware store
These are simple pre-cut patches. You will need a putty knife, sandpaper, glue (joint compound) and preferably child-free time.
Next, cut off the excess drywall. Clean the area. Glue the patch to the top of your hole cutting off any excess. Be careful, as it bubbles very easily – speed wins this race here.
Now you can add some putty with your knife. You want to add small pieces at a time to get a thin, even layer. Go in one direction from top to bottom.
Let it dry again before adding a second coat. Add a third coat if necessary.
After drying it once more, put some sandpaper on it to smooth the edges.
Tips for plastering a large hole
Larger holes are a bit trickier. The hole my sister made was very big. You will need a utility knife or drywall knife and a ruler.
Carefully draw a rectangle or square around the hole. Cut the entire piece from the wall.
Next, you will need the help of a carpenter or your local hardware store. You need some strips of plywood cut a little longer than your hole. These back up your hole and give it support.
Once you have them, place them inside the hole vertically and screw them into place.
Now measure your drywall, cut it to size, and screw it to the plywood strips.
Add drywall tape to the outside edge of your rectangle.
Using a putty knife and joint compound, add a coat to the edges making sure to cover the screws.
Let dry and add an extra layer.
Use sandpaper to smooth and level the edges.
Have you ever put a hole in the wall? Did you repair it yourself?
With these helpful tips and tutorials on YouTube, you can fix this common problem.
