Patching Small Holes in Wallboard

One of the kids kicked a small hole into the drywall. Guess what? It's a snap to patch up. You can repair small holes, up to 4" to 6", in drywall using drywall bandages.

Step 1: Making a Drywall Bandage: To make a drywall bandage, use a keyhole saw to make the hole into a square or a rectangle (Fig. 7). Cut a piece of drywall the same shape as the hole. It should be 2" longer and 2" wider than the hole.

Step 2: Careful When Cutting: Lay the piece of drywall down on a flat surface, shiny side down. Measure the 1" from all four edges and draw a line. This should form a shape the side of the hole. Using a straight edge and a utility knife, cut through the drywall to the bottom layer. Do not cut the bottom layer of paper. Using a putty knife, remove the top layer of paper and core all the way down to the bottom layer of paper (Fig. 8). Be careful not to tear the bottom layer.

Step 3: Applying the Compound: The cut part of the patch should fit into the hole. The paper edge should cover about 1" around the hole. Apply a thin layer of patching compound around the hole. Place the patch into the hole (Fig. 9). Using a putty knife, work the paper edge down into the compound. Feather the edges of the compound and allow it to dry. You may need to sand lightly and apply a second layer of compound to finish the repair.

Step 4: Larger Holes: Larger holes, up to 12", require a slightly different repair which provides more support. Again use a keyhole saw to form the hole into a square or a rectangle (Fig. 7).

Step 5: Applying the Patch For Larger Holes: Cut a patching piece of wallboard that's about 2" larger than the hole to be repaired (Fig 10). Punch or drill two small holes through this piece of board and tie a stick to it, as illustrated. Allow for about 8" between the board and the stick.

Step 6: Getting the Patch to Stick: Apply a smooth coat of good grade adhesive all around the edges of the piece of patching material.

Insert the patching board through the hole and position it so the adhesive fits firmly against the solid area around the hole. Now turn the stick clockwise twisting the string and increasing pressure against the patch board at the rear of the hole (Fig. 11). When the string has been thoroughly tightened, it will hold the board firmly into place until the adhesive dries.

Step 7: Allow the Patch to Dry: Give the adhesive time to dry. Then fill in the area with a good grade of patching plaster (Fig. 12). Leave the stick and the string in position during the patching process. You may need to apply two or three layer of patching plaster to build up the patched area. Always allow one layer to dry before applying another. Remove the stick and string just before the material dries. Smooth out the area then let the patch dry thoroughly.

Step 8: Adding the Finishing Touches: When the area is completely dry, sand off all high spots and apply a prime coat for paint or other finish (Fig. 13) Use a fine grade of sandpaper and a sanding block for the finish sanding work.

Courtesy of the National Retail Hardware Association
www.nrha.org