Introduction

Fix damaged drywall with these DIY repairs you can do. Don't melt down if a doorknob, misguided chair or an impromptu hockey game knocks a big hole in your drywall. With a little patience, a little joint compound and a few dabs of paint even a novice can complete a near invisible wall repair.

Being able to fix a hole in drywall is one of the most useful basic drywall skills a DIYer can learn. Start by measuring the thickness of the drywall (most likely 1/2 in.), and look for a large enough scrap from a damaged piece at a home center as you see how to fix a hole in drywall, rather than buy a full 4 x 8-ft. sheet. Cut it to size and screw it into place, spacing the screws every 6-in.

Taping the edges of the patch of drywall to make it invisible is the trickiest part of this project. Buy a gallon tub of drywall compound and a roll of paper tape. You can use mesh tape, but it isn’t as strong. If you have a lot of repairs, also buy a sack of 20-minute setting compound. It hardens quickly and doesn’t shrink, so it’s ideal for filling cracks and gaps before applying the joint tape. For smoothest results, also pick up flexible 6- and 10-in. taping knives.

Apply a coat of compound and tape to each joint. Thin the compound a bit with water to help embed the tape. Smooth the tape with the 6-in. knife, pulling out from the center toward each end. Squeeze some, but not all, of the compound out from under the tape so you don’t create a big hump on the wall. Immediately apply a light coating to the topside of the tape, tapering it out onto the wall.

The second and third coats are to blend and smooth the taped joints so they’ll be invisible when painted. After each coat is dry, set a straightedge against the wall to check for obvious dips and bumps. Knock off bumps and ridges with your taping knife. Add more coats as needed. Then sand, prime and paint. The following will walk you through more important tips and steps for how to fix a hole in the wall.