How to Mud Screw Holes for Drywall

Preparing new walls for paint or wallpaper involves creating a smooth surface to apply your desired wall treatment. After sheetrock installation, you will fill the seams and the screw holes with joint compound in a series of applications before sanding them smooth.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Mix the drywall mud thoroughly as the directions indicates, thinning it if necessary to provide a silky smooth, easy-to-spread consistency.

2. Dip the flat blade of your taping knife in the drywall mud and scoop up a small amount. A dollop the size of your thumb is a good amount.

3. Press the wet mud with the flat portion of the taping knife, into the screw hole, smoothing downwards.

4. Swipe the blade over the screw hole again, further distributing the mud and removing any excess mud from the edges of the hole.

5. Remove all extra mud from the area around the hole by holding the blade flat against the wall and smoothing it over the hole. Any leftover mud on the wall will dry rock-hard and require extensive sanding later.

6. Repeat the process with more drywall mud until all the screw holes are filled.

7. Allow the mud to dry and repeat the process 2 more times. The reason you need to mud each hole at least 3 times is because the joint compound shrinks slightly as it dries, leaving a small void where the hole is.

Tips & Warnings

• Use care when applying joint compound to screw holes. It is easier to take your time, fill them carefully and remove the excess mud from the walls when it is wet, than it is to sand off the rough edges and bumps later.