| It's pretty easy to make a hole in a wall, but it's not so | | | | Tip #3. Apply just enough spackle or compound. |
| easy to fix one. At least, it wasn't until now, when you | | | | Excess will take longer to dry and be subject to |
| came across these great tips for repairing holes in | | | | lumping. The rule is to apply as little as possible and |
| walls. | | | | add more if necessary, letting it dry and sanding |
| Tip #1. Determine what size hole you are dealing with. | | | | between coats. |
| Measure the hole and determine the method as | | | | Tip #4. Repairing a hole means working Wit spackle or |
| follows: small holes, such as nail holes only need a | | | | wall compound, and this requires patience. This is not a |
| patching with joint compound. Sand it smooth after it | | | | job to be rushed. Make sure the patching material is |
| has dried. For somewhat larger holes, about the size | | | | fully dry before you sand and repaint. Don't skip coats; |
| of a deck of cards, you will need to place a filler such | | | | if you need to put more than one or two to make sure |
| as newspaper in it for a surface for the compound to | | | | the hole is filled and covered, do so. It will be worth |
| adhere to. Medium sized holes (about 3 inches by 3 | | | | your while to take each step slowly, otherwise the |
| inches) need a hot patch, which is a piece of drywall | | | | patch will show through and ruin the look of your wall. |
| applied by leaving a patch on each side. Very large | | | | Use the drying time to clean up your tools and work |
| holes, over 3 inches in diameter have to be treated | | | | area. |
| just as a new wall. Remove nails and screws and cut | | | | Tip #5. No matter how smoothly you were able to put |
| a piece of drywall, secure it in place and then tape, | | | | the compound on, you have to sand the patch. You |
| compound and sand it just as you would a new wall. | | | | may not notice now, but there may be ridges around |
| Tip #2. Get all of your tools and supplies ready before | | | | the edge that will show up once you apply a coat of |
| you start. Repairing wall holes requires quick work, so | | | | paint. Sand lightly around the edges and dust off the |
| you don't want to be looking around for supplies in the | | | | sanding before you paint the wall. |
| middle of the job. If the hole requires more than just a | | | | Follow these tips and you will guarantee yourself an |
| compound patching, you will need to have | | | | excellent patch up job, one that nobody will be able to |
| newspapers, drywall material, tape, trowels, etc. on | | | | spot once you are finished. |
| hand before you start. | | | | |