How to Repair Drywall Holes Using Screen
Small holes develop in drywall for a variety of reasons. The drywall directly behind a door is a common area for damage from doorknobs. Another common cause of damage is when furniture being moved hits the drywall hard enough to punch a hole. Fortunately, drywall can be repaired for a seamless result with a little care and attention to detail. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Utility knife
- Sanding block, 120-grit
- Adhesive backed wire screen panel, 12-by-12-inch
- Joint compound
- Wide joint compound knife
- Drywall hawk
- Paintbrush
- Paint roller
- Roller pan
Instructions
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1
Scrape any loose pieces of drywall from the damaged hole in the drywall with a utility knife. Leave the edges of the hole rough for better adhesion of the joint compound.
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2
Sand the area around the damaged hole with 120-grit sanding block to prepare the surface for the repair.
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3
Remove the backing paper on the adhesive backed metal screen panel that is designed for making drywall repairs. Center the screen over the hole and press it firmly in place against the wall.
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4
Place a mound of joint compound onto the drywall hawk with a wide joint compound knife. Apply a thin coat of compound over the entire screen and feather the edges out so that they blend in with the wall. Allow the coat to dry for 24 hours.
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5
Sand the first coat with a 120-grit sanding block until the surface is smooth. You will notice imperfections and lowered areas in the repair. This is because joint compound shrinks as it dries.
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6
Apply two to three more thin coats of joint compound, allowing it to dry 24 hours between coats. Sand each coat with a 120-grit sanding block. Once you are satisfied with the end result, no further coats are necessary.
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7
Paint the repaired area to match the rest of the wall with a roller. Allow the paint to dry at least 72 hours prior to placing anything against the repair.
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Tips & Warnings
Add stoppers behind door handles to prevent damage to the drywall. Use caution when moving furniture and other objects when near the wall to avoid unnecessary repairs.
Wear eye protection when sanding joint compound.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
