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