How to Repair Wall Patches: the Quick and Easy Way Articles | Home Improvement

By: Guy Starbuck

Drywalls are at times an unfortunate eventuality, which most of us have either experienced or will experience any time in our lives. The slam open of a door, furniture pushed too hard against the wall are the usual, sometimes daily events which create a hole, a gouge or an ugly scratch against the dry wall. When this kind of thing happens, the first point you have to remember is that there is absolutely no need to ask for the home repair person or your usual contractor. This is a quick-fix job which can be done even by inexpert hands.

Here are a few of the essentials that you would need to complete the job:

• A drywall repair kit.
• Clean tin can lid.
• Tape measure.
• Keyhole saw.
• Thin wire or string.
• Scissors or wire cutters.
• Scrap wood.
• Putty knife.
• Drywall patching compound.
• Sandpaper.
• Primer and paint.
• Paintbrushes.

One of the most convenient ways to fix a dry wall patch is to buy a dry wall repair kit. But before that, measure the hole which needs to be fixed and buy the kit accordingly. For instance, a patch for the ceiling should be thicker than one in the wall.

Then remove all the wall paper or plaster which might be around the patch area. Then apply the drywall patch by following the manufacturers’ instructions for use:

In case you wish to repair a dry wall patch without having to buy a repair kit, following these simple instructions:

Step 1: The first step is to make a tin can lid which is about one and a half inches bigger in diameter than the hole in the dry wall. Then cut a slim horizontal slit using a keyhole saw on each side of the hole. The total size of the hole along with the narrow slit must be equal to the diameter of the lid. This will help you in sliding the lid sideways into the hole in the wall.

Step 2: Then you use awl to make two holes in the center of the lid. After this, take a 12-inch wire or string and thread it through the holes.

Step 3: Then holding the ends of the wire or string slide the tin lid through the slit. While you are still holding the wire, pull the lid near you till such times that it is flat against the wall. The lid must be held tightly against the inside of the wall.

Step 4:  Your next step is to take a putty knife and apply the pre-mixed compound over the patch on the wall. Follow manufacturers’ instructions if you are not too sure regarding this part. You have to keep the patch area at a slightly lower level and must not try to level it. Let it dry for at least 24 hours and you will notice that the patch has turned white. Once the surface is dry, you can safely cut the string and remove the stick.

Step 5: You still once more step in the process before your repair work is complete. You must now fill up the patch area completely with more patching pre-mixed compound so that it is leveled with the wall surface. Let the area dry after which you could sand the area, prime it and then paint the surface. Your patch is gone!