Repairing a Hole in drywall

There are three methods used to repair a hole in the drywall. The easiest and preferred method is to use a manufactured patch such as the Homax Wall Patch.  This product is available in various sizes and is ideally designed to provide sufficient strength to support the missing piece of drywall.  (www.homaxproduct.com)

Method 1: Manufactured Wall Patch

• Remove any damaged or cracked drywall. 
• Select a wall patch at least two inches larger on all sides than the damaged hole size. 
• Apply ¼" of drywall compound on area surrounding damaged hole using a 3" or 4" drywall knife. 
• Place patch firmly on prepared area.  Ensure entire wall patch product has drywall compound underneath it. 
• Cover over entire patch area with a coat of compound, feathering edges. 
• Allow to dry, then sand lightly, removing any raised or rough areas.
• Repeat with a second coat using an 8” or 10” knife.
• Allow to dry, then sand lightly, removing any raised or rough areas.
• Apply a third coat, if necessary.  Allow to dry.
• Use a Pole Sander or Hand Sander for sanding.
• Prime area before painting.

Method 2: Cardboard and String

• Remove any damaged or cracked drywall.
• Cut a rectangular piece of cardboard, making the width slightly narrower than the damaged area.  Make the length 4" longer than the damaged area.
• Poke a small hole (for the string) in the centre of the cardboard piece.
• Thread the string through the hole and tie a knot in the end of the string, pulling the knot tight to the cardboard piece.
• While holding the string with one hand, carefully push the cardboard piece through the hole in behind the drywall.
• Pull the string tight and centre the cardboard in the hole.
• While continuing to hold the string, fill in the cavity with drywall compound.
• Allow 24 hours to dry.
• Cut off the excess string.
• Apply second coat feathering out the edges. 
• Allow to dry, then sand lightly, removing any raised or rough areas.
• Repeat with a third coat, using an 8" or 10" knife, if necessary.
• Use a Pole Sander or Hand Sander for sanding.
• Prime area before painting.

Method 3: Using A Piece of Drywall

• Using a drywall saw enlarge the damaged area making it either square or rectangular in shape.
• Cut a new piece of drywall which is 2" larger on all sides than the damaged area.
• Carefully cut away the 2" excess drywall but do not cut all the way through  leave the face paper on the back side.
• Peel away the 2" of drywall on the outer edges leaving the paper on the other side intact. 
• Place the new drywall patch in the damaged area (paper side out) and apply drywall compound over the patch. 
• Feather the compound 2" beyond the paper. 
• Allow to dry, then sand lightly, removing any raised or rough areas.
• Repeat with a third coat, using an 8" or 10" knife, if necessary.
• Use a Pole Sander or Hand Sander for sanding.