How to Patch a Sheetrock Hole

If you have a hole in your sheetrock, don’t worry! It’s a quick and easy fix that you can do yourself. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Materials:
  • Drywall compound (also called joint compound or mud)
  • Piece of sheetrock larger than the hole or an appropriate drywall patch
  • A 6″ putty knife
  • Sandpaper
  • A clean cloth
  • Texture tools for your texture
  • A paint roller
• Instructions:

1. Clean the area.

Use a cloth to wipe away any dirt or debris from the area around the hole. Make sure the hole is cut cleanly into a square if using sheetrock to make the repair.

2. If using sheetrock, cut a piece to about 2″ wider than the hole.

The drywall should be slightly larger than the hole so that you have some extra to work with. With the back of the sheetrock facing toward you, line it up with the hole; using a utility knife, mark the top and bottom. Cut the excess sheetrock only part way through and then break off the cut and peel from the front paper. If done correctly, you should have a piece of sheetrock that will fit in the hole and have two inches of paper along the border. Now your patch is ready.

3. Apply the compound to the hole.

Use a 6″ putty knife to spread the compound around the edges of the hole, making sure not to get it too thick and smooth it out.

4. Apply the sheetrock patch

Apply the store-bought patch or the self-made sheetrock path to the hole. Using the knife, smooth the edges into the joint compound. Add more compound as needed to make a smooth over the entire patch. The goal is to have a thin layer of compound applied to the patch.

5. Allow the compound to dry.

This will take about 30 minutes. Make sure that the compound is fully dried all the way through.

6. Sand the compound.

Use sandpaper to smooth out the compound and make it level with the surrounding wall.

7. Repeat steps 4 through 6

Repeat as needed to make the patch perfectly smooth with the wall.

8. Apply a texture.

Apply a texture to match the existing wall texture. Take care to blend it in properly. You don’t want to finish your repair just to realize that it sticks out like a sore thumb because the texture looks slightly off. Texture can be a difficult task. If you need help, contact a professional painting company or construction company to help you make your patch look perfect.

9. Touch up the paint.

If the hole is in a painted area, you’ll need to touch up the paint so that it matches the rest of the wall. Use the appropriate paint roller to apply a thin coat of paint over the patched area. Using quality paint like Sherman Williams, the paint that Baker Roofing and Construction is a key element to a great repair.

That’s it! You’ve now successfully patched a sheetrock hole.