How to Patch a Hole in Sheetrock

You can fix a hole in your sheet rock wall on your own.

Accidents happen, and if your wall is made of Sheetrock, you can easily knock a hole through it. You could hang a big picture over the hole to cover it, hire a professional carpenter to repair it for you, or you can do the job on your own. Not only can you save money, but you will have the satisfaction of making your wall look like nothing ever happened.

Things You'll Need

• Template
• Uutility knife or wallboard saw
• Tape measure
• 1-by-2 board
• Drill
• Drywall screws
• Sheetrock
• Sandpaper
• Putty knife
• Spackle
• Paint

Instructions

1. Square up the hole. Find a template that will cover the entire hole.The template can be square or rectangular in shape. Trace around the template with a pencil onto your wall. Cut the Sheetrock along the template line, using a utility knife or wallboard saw.

2. Measure the space across the hole and add another four to six inches to the length.

3. Cut a 1-by-2 board to the measurement of that length.

4. Put the board through the hole so it is on the other side of the wall. Place it across the middle portion of your hole. The ends should overlap two to three inches on each side.

5. Secure the board to the sheet rock with four drywall screws. Enlist the help of a friend to hold the board in place while you install the screws through the drywall and into the board.

6. Place your template onto a piece of sheet rock and trace around the outside. Cut out the piece of sheet rock to use as your patch.

7. Place the patch in the hole until it comes against the board you installed. Secure the patch to the board with two drywall screws.

8. Sand the edges of the sheet rock to ensure everything is smooth and there is no loose debris. Blow or brush the dust away.

9. Apply a thin coat of spackle to the patch with a putty knife, extending at least six inches beyond the seams.

10. Allow the spackle to dry according to the manufacturer's directions.

11. Sand the entire patched area to make it smooth and even with the rest of the wall. Blow or brush away the dust.

12. Apply a texture to match the rest of the wall. Allow the texture to dry according to the manufacturer's directions.

13. Paint the patched area so it matches the rest of the wall.

References

• Xomba: Patching a Fist Sized Hole in Drywall
• Xomba: Patching Drywall--Complete Guide
• "Black & Decker Complete Guide to Finishing Walls and Ceilings"; Tom Lemmer; 2006