Drywall DIY Patch Repair

Easy DIY drywall patch repair instructions for any minor wall damage

Well ... so do I! (just kidding)

In reality, it's a very easy process that really doesn't take that long to do, and you don't need a ton of experience to be able to do it either. Just follow these few simple steps:

Clean It Up ...

Make Sure Hole Is Clean
Clean out the hole of any remaining debris and lingering paper and bits of plaster/drywall. Use a damp rag to clean around the edges really well.

(It always amazes me how well you think you've cleaned a hole to patch, and when you apply the drywall mud, you suddenly (and mysteriously) have little hard bits of stuff streaking across the patch as you pull your drywall knife which is full of mud, over the repair piece. Aaarrrrgh!)

... And Patch It Up

Add Tape
Cut a piece of fiberglass mesh drywall tape long enough to overhang each side of the drywall hole repair by about two inches.

Place the first piece directly in the middle. Use self-sticking mesh tape, as this type allows you to stick the tape on without first applying mud. In other words, it helps someone like me (with 10 thumbs) to be able to do this step pretty fast - and not foul up anything in the process to patch drywall.

After placing the first piece on, add a strip to the right of the first piece starting exactly in the middle, and overlapping by half. Do the left side the same way.

What you are doing is increasing the strength of the patch by overlapping the mesh tape and across the part to be repaired (hole) itself. Continue this step until repair area is completely covered, with mesh tape extending out about two - three inches either way (left/right, and up/down, all around).

Now you've got a strong drywall repair that can accept a nice smooth coating of drywall mud.

As the mud penetrates the mesh, it forms a strong bond that when combined with the mesh and dries, it becomes a seamless, solid part of the wall. Just like the hole was never there. So ...

Apply Drywall Compound
With a healthy scoop of mud on your drywall knife, begin to apply it directly onto the repair patch. Start by smoothing it on 4 or 5 inches from the right (or left) edge of the hole, and slowly work your way across the patch to about 5 inches on the other side.

Take your time and continue to do this until the patch is smooth and completely covered. Fan the mud away from the repair extending outward around 5 or 6 inches beyond the hole edges. Smooth out any ridges and bubbles that may linger.

One thing you'll notice right away in your drywall diy patch repair, is a slightly droopy effect to the mud that will form from the middle of the patch outward. It's simply gravity taking over, where the middle portion of the patch resembles a "beer gut", in a weird sort of way.

Sorry about the imagery there, but you get what I'm saying. The point is that it's expected, and not something that went horribly wrong.

When the mud completely dries, you will sand that out entirely.

Sanding Your Drywall DIY Patch Repair
Speaking of sanding ... using a sanding screen (medium/fine grit), you will sand all around the edges and the middle as well. This is where you will determine if you need a second coat or not. Most times a second coat is required as you will uncover many bubbles and scratches while patching drywall that were not filled the first time. Again, this is to be expected (at least if I'm doing it).

Simply apply another coat

Simply extend the mud coverage out another 3 to 5 inches all around the perimeter of the actual patch area. This action minimizes the hump by adding more layering, and thereby "flattening" the entire patch area.

Congratulations. You've now successfully learned the ABC's of drywall diy patch repair work, and all that entails.

You are now ready to begin priming drywall as soon as you are able.

TOP of Drywall DIY Patch Repair

RETURN to How To Repair Drywall

HOME to The House Flipping Helper