How to Fill In Wall Strips Taken Down Out of Sheetrock Walls

Whenever you complete renovations or repairs to a home, you may come across the need to remove strips of sheetrock from the wall to access plumbing or electrical connections. When you are finished with the repairs or renovation, you will need to reinstall the sheetrock and then repair the seams. This process does not require a sheetrock specialist. As a DIY homeowner, you can complete the repair on your own.

Things You'll Need

• Sheetrock
• Utility knife
• 1-inch by 2-inch pine boards
• Keyhole saw
• Construction adhesive
• Sheetrock screws
• Screwdriver
• Drywall compound
• Drywall tape
• 3-inch trowel
• Sandpaper
• Primer
• Paint

Send to Phone

Brought to you by

Send to Phone

Please enter your 10 digit phone number only.

Send

A link to this article has been sent to the phone number provided.

Close

Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. Message and data rates may apply.

Instructions

1. Cut a patch out of sheetrock that measures slightly wider and longer in length than the strip you removed from the wall, using a utility knife. Mark one end of the sheetrock as "Up" so you know how to position the sheetrock during the instillation process.

2. Place the sheetrock patch over the hole and trace it with a pencil. Place the patch off to the side, and then cut along the line with a keyhole saw to remove the excess sheetrock from the wall.

3. Cut 1-inch by 2-inch pine boards to a length 6 inches longer than the width of the opening. You need three boards in total.

4. Apply construction adhesive to the 2-inch side of the boards, and then place the boards inside the wall and press them against the back of the sheetrock. Evenly space the boards along the wall. Secure the boards to the wall by driving sheetrock screws though the sheetrock and into the boards. The boards will act as a brace for the patch.

5. Place the patch in the hole and butt it up against the braces. Secure the patch to the boards with sheetrock screws and a screwdriver.

6. Apply drywall compound over the joints between the patch and the existing sheetrock. Cover the screw holes with drywall compound as well. Use a 3-inch trowel to apply the compound.

7. Place a piece of drywall tape over each seam, and then apply a second coat of drywall compound over the tape. Allow 24 to 48 hours of drying time.

8. Sand the surface of the drywall compound to blend the seams. Wipe the wall down with a tack cloth to remove dust.

9. Paint the patched area with the same primer and paint you used to paint the wall originally.

References

• This Old House; How to Patch Drywall; Tom Silva; January 2010