How to Repair Large Wallboard/Sheetrock/Gypsum Board Holes

Many homes today have interior walls made of wall board, sheetrock or gypsum board. All three wall types are just pressed chalk between two sides of thick paper and are easily damaged. To repair a large hole or a gash that is bigger than your head, the technique requires a little more support for the replacement piece than if you were repairing a hole smaller than your head.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pencil
• Measuring tape or ruler
• A replacement piece of wallboard
• Utility knife or wallboard saw
• 2 wallboard screws
• A screwdriver
• Sand paper
• Wallboard glue, caulking compound and sealing tape.
• A length of 1”x 3” wood (the size of the hole will determine the length)

1. With the utility knife or wallboard saw; cut out the damaged part 1 inch higher and one inch below the damaged area and with your cut going from wall stud to wall stud.

2. Make two 1”x 3” wood braces to support the new patch piece of wall board. The 1x3 will be nailed to the existing wall studs at the left and right edges of the hole. Measure the height of the opening and then cutting two pieces of 1x3 wood, about an ½ ” longer than the height of the opening.

3. Use two 1 ¼” wallboard screws, one at each end of the brace, attach one 1x3 brace flush against each left and right 2x4 wall stud for a secure support.

4. Cut a wallboard patch so it is 1/8 of an inch smaller than the rectangular opening you cut in step 1. Make sure the patch piece fits in the opening but is not too tight. If you don’t leave the 1/8 inch clearance, your patch may swell and buckle out over time.

5. Spread wallboard glue on the front edge of the installed braces and on the back of the patch piece (where it will touch the brace). Press the patch piece into the opening, centering it against the opening edges.

6. Using wallboard screws, attach the patch piece to the braces. You will need at least 4 screws, one in each corner of the patch. If the patch piece is more than 2 feet tall, use additional screws about mid-way down from the top of the patch piece.

7. Using the wallboard tape and caulking compound, seal the patch piece into the hole.

8. Let the compound dry 24 hours then lightly sand the surface. Once the surface it clean and dust free, paint the area to match the surrounding wall.

Tips & Warnings

• If the hole is more than 4 feet tall, make 2 additional braces, and place them horizontally across the top and bottom of the opening, behind the undamaged wall board. Use additional nails or screws to attach the horizontal brace to the wall studs.