How to Patch Insulation Holes With Drywall Compound

After you have completed insulation of your existing interior walls, the finishing touch is to patch the holes made by the insulation equipment. While patching holes in drywall can be a problem in other circumstances, because of the cavernous hole behind the wall, you've got it made. The hole has the insulation behind it to serve as a backing for drywall compound.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drywall compound
• Putty knife
• Sandpaper
• Brush
• Paint

1. Pick the drywall or spackling compound you intend to use. One type will dry hard and it's possible it might crack around the edges of the hole without reinforcement. The other type is softer and more flexible to work with.

2. Choose a putty knife according to the size of the hole. It should be 1 1/2 to 2 times the size of the hole to overlap it.

3. Scoop a chunk of drywall compound with the edge of the putty knife and apply it over the hole. Use as much as needed to fill the hole and mound it slightly over the hole itself.

4. Cover the insulation thoroughly so it doesn't show through.

5. Use the putty knife to smooth over the insulation hole. Start from the center of the hole and work past the edge, feathering the drywall compound so that you don't have any humps or lumps at the edges of your work area.

6. Allow the drywall compound to dry about 24 hours. Sand the patch smooth, if necessary, and paint to match the wall.

Tips & Warnings

• As you feather out the drywall compound, use less pressure in the center of the hole so you don't make any dents. Use more pressure at the edges to smooth the compound so thin that the surface blends with the wall.