How to Close an Opening in a Wall

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Things You'll Need

  • Drywall

  • Utility knife

  • Keyhole saw

  • 2-by-1-inch lumber boards

  • Hacksaw

  • Construction adhesive

  • Drywall plaster

  • Drywall tape

  • Trowel

  • Sanding block

Renovations or repairs may necessitate removing drywall to gain access to plumbing or electrical connections. When it comes to repairing these holes, you can patch the opening with a new piece of drywall and then refinish the wall. This process will take a couple of days to complete due to the slow drying times of drywall plaster, but it is a task the average do-it-yourself enthusiast can complete on his own.

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Step 1

Cut a patch of drywall slightly larger than the existing hole in your wall. Mark one end of the drywall patch as the top. Use a utility knife to cut through the paper and gypsum to cut the patch to size.

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Step 2

Place the patch over the wall and trace the outline of the patch onto the wall. Cut the drywall with a keyhole saw to match the outline.

Step 3

Apply construction adhesive to the two-inch wide side of your boards and then place the boards into the wall evenly spaced; press them against the backside of the drywall. Secure the boards to the drywall by driving a drywall screw through each end of the board where it overlaps the drywall.

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Step 4

Place the patch against the boards and then drive drywall screws through the patch and into the boards to secure the patch in place.

Step 5

Place a layer of drywall plaster over the seam of the patch with your trowel and then place a piece of drywall tape over the plaster. Press the tape against the drywall with your trowel to flatten it out. Place a final layer of drywall plaster over the tape and allow 24 to 48 hours of drying time.

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Step 6

Use a sanding block to sand the surface of the drywall plaster flush with the exiting wall. Wipe the wall down with a tack cloth.

Step 7

Prime and paint the patch with the same primer and paint you used on the wall. If you do not have access to the same primer or paint, you'll need to paint the entire wall.

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