Just applied drywall patch on a hole, why doesn’t it feel firm when I touch it?

So, we had a little mishap in our household yesterday and now are left with a hole in our wall, approximately 6.5” x 3.5” big. Being a new homeowner and having little experience with home improvement tasks such as this, I went out to Menards and purchased a 7” x 7” drywall patch, spackle, putty knife, sandpaper and paint to match the color of the wall. The patch adhered to the wall OK, although it kept coming off when I was applying the spackle (this, however, was fixed once the first coat of spackle dried). When I checked on it a few hours later the first coat of spackle was quite dry, however the part of the patch that actually covered the hole gave whenever I put my hand on it. It literally felt like not much effort would cause my hand to go right through the hole again. The second coat affixed it to the wall even more firmly and filled in any remaining holes in the patch, at which point I let it dry and went to bed.

Upon waking up the morning, the spackle was still drying but was still better than it was the night before. Yet, pressing down on the area that covered the hole still caused it to bend inwards a bit, into the hole. Granted, it wasn’t nearly as bad as it was after I put the first coat on, but still…

I’m planning on putting one more coat on later today, at which point it’ll have been 24 hours since I first applied the patch to the wall. I’ll probably then sand and paint the following day. Yet I’m still worried about how it felt when I put my hand on the hole and felt it flex.

I was also just informed and was completely unaware of something called backing board when I bought these materials…looks like the guy at the store misinformed me, saying all I would need are the things I mentioned above. SIGH…so, what do I do now? Is the wall going to be ruined if I have to remove the patch? Where do I find backing board? How does it work?

Either way, is this the way the patch is supposed to feel? Maybe I was too naïve to think this drywall patch would somehow make that section of wall feel like the rest of the wall and would blend in seamlessly. After just purchasing this new home, I certainly don’t have the funds right now to replace an entire section of wall or hire someone to do it, especially after a number of other home improvement projects we’ve already done (new carpet, furniture, etc.). Is there any other way to make it more solid? Should I start over and use a different method? Keep in mind I’m a complete beginner when it comes to things like this, and although I’m not looking for perfection I’d at least like to not feel like I’m going to go right through the wall if I put my hand there. And I don’t really feel like hanging a picture or something over it.

Thoughts? Help!

 

Welcome to the forums!

How big was the hole? Patching over the hole with mesh and mud will fix it cosmetically but where the hole itself was won't have a lot of strength. I'd be inclined to finish it as is and if it gets damaged again, let us know so we can instruct you on how to do a better repair.

 

Thanks! The hole is 6.5” across and 3.5” high. I honestly don’t mind the lack of strength, it’s more my wife who’d like to see it as strong as possible.

I appreciate the help!

 

That size of a hole should have had a piece of drywall inserted. There are several different ways to do it but the easiest way [to explain anyway ] would be square up the hole, then insert some wood longer than the hole and screw it to solid drywall on each end. You would then screw the replacement piece of drywall to that board. Since drywall comes in 4'x8' or larger sheets, I'd go by a house under construction and bum a scrap piece of drywall .... just make sure it's the correct thickness, probably 1/2"

 

marksr is right in both of his posts. Is it where it is likely to get the same damage again? I would finish the patch, then leave it and paint it. Do as marksr says in the first post. Maybe that will be the end of it. If not you are only out a little time and a few dollars. The next time will be better. Call it tuition in the school of home ownership.