Holes in the wall can be caused by so many things or activities. Drywalls can look very tough and able to withstand so many effects but indeed, they are weak and can always give in to effects of hard objects. For instance pushing the door to open with so much force can create door a knob hole on the wall. Continuous activity of the same will even widen the hole further. This will give the wall a very bad appearance. However, even if the hole might look so big, it can still be repaired and taken back to normal. The easiest way to go about fixing it is by foremost, measuring the hole and then walking up to the hardware store to purchase a drywall repair kit. This is ideal because there are different drywall patches for different applications; there are some for ceilings while others are for walls. However, the drywall patch for ceiling is thicker than that of walls.
Before using the kit, it’s however important to clear the hole of any loose paper or plaster. After clearing it, you can now begin patching the hole, but only according the instructions given by the manufacturer. Whether you are patching a small or big hole in the drywall, the below steps can be of help in guiding you through the process.
- Prepare a tin can lid which is slightly larger than the drywall hole. This is to be used as a backing piece. Cut out narrow horizontal slits on the wall on either sides of the hole. The hole and the slits should be equal in measurements to the tin lid such that it can be inserted into the hole sideways.
- Punch two holes in the center of the lid using the awl and then thread pieces of wire or strings through the hole.
- Carefully slide the lid through the slit while holding the ends of the wire. Pull the lid until it is flat inside the wall. To keep it into place, you can use a stick of scrap wood over the hole on the outside while the can lid is held inside the wall.
- Apply the premixed drywall patching compound over the patch using a putty knife. Do not level or spill on the surface of the wall. After application, leave the patch to dry until it turns white which is after about one day. Remove the sticks and cut the strings when dry.
- Finish up the patch using more patching compound or plaster of Paris to bring the patch level to the level of the wall surface. You can let it to dry, sand it and then apply paint.