How to Repair a Large Hole in Drywall

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How to Repair a Large Hole in Drywall

Build.com

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Step 1 of 13

Using a straight edge and pencil, mark a square slightly larger than the damaged drywall hole.

Step 2 of 13

Then use the straight edge and utility knife to score along the square's edge. Make cuts toward the center to easily remove the drywall.

Step 3 of 13

Using some scrap drywall, measure and cut out a drywall replacement piece.

Step 4 of 13

It won't have to fit perfectly, just enough to fit the square hole.

Step 5 of 13

Trim the backing for the patch.

Step 6 of 13

Place a wood scrap behind the drywall, and screw it into the wall using drywall screws.

Step 7 of 13

Then place the drywall patch (from Step 2) into the larger hole and screw it into the wood scrap.

Step 8 of 13

Apply the drywall tape around the edges of the patch.

Step 9 of 13

Mix up the joint compound following the instructions. If you prefer using pre-made compound (or spackling), feel free to use that.

Step 10 of 13

Apply compound over the drywall hole.

Step 11 of 13

Work the joint compound with a taping knife until it's real smooth. Allow it to dry, which should take about 20 minutes, depending on how much moisture is in the air.

Step 12 of 13

After the joint compound is dry, smooth out the patch with the sanding block until the surface is even.

Step 13 of 13

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Build.com

Chico, CA

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Utility Knife

Drywall tape

Drywall screws

Taping knife

Electric drill

Scrap wood

Sanding block

Spackling or joint compound

Putty knife

Straight Edge

Measuring tape

Pencil

You probably want to use a stud finder first right? And what if the hole is near one?

Amy Lee 5 months ago

I've needed this!!! I have a hole in my bathroom that needs fixing (although covering it up with a wedding photo worked well in the short term!) I will get to work on this tomorrow. THANKS!

Jasmine H 5 months ago

Easy, quick and simple instructions! Just what I needed. Thx!

Jimmie Waters 5 months ago

Useful!! now I know

Laura Stuck I 5 months ago

Good job

Lori Brown 5 months ago

Very good but check for cables pipes first b4 cut to plasterboard (uk) don't always run where you think

Peter Bradford 5 months ago

Fantastic! That really helps!

Paulette Ballantyne 5 months ago

This was great.It told me just what I needed to know.

Marion Moccio 5 months ago

Awesome. Most apprecitative

Gary C Horton 5 months ago

Nice. Thanks.

Kimberly Ann 5 months ago

Don't have those tools though.

Maketa Colbert 5 months ago

Useful

Pavel Kostenkov 5 months ago

Awesome

Lawyer Milloy 5 months ago

Thank you! U know this happens all the time :D

Puri McWilliams 5 months ago

Good job men. This is my best on Snapguide!!!

Bruce Igor 5 months ago

That's exactly how I do it! Checked out the post to see if there was a better way.

Mark Seurkamp 6 months ago

This tutorial was very useful. I had an unsightly hole that needed to be fixed badly. I was amazed at how well it turned out. Thanks again!

Sam E. 6 months ago

Hi Tammy. I recommend a visit to a local hardware store. You can usually find scrap drywall in 12 or 24 inches.

Build.com (author) 6 months ago

So where do you find "scrap" drywall?

Tammy 'Kennard' Roth 6 months ago

I could have used this back in college

Derek Hoge 6 months ago

Good job using this platform as an advertising medium! Love to see others in the building trades innovate!

James Barrett 7 months ago

Loved the tip

Kamran Sarwar 7 months ago

Thank you, it'll be very useful to me!

David L 7 months ago

This guide is very helpful. It's not as hard as I thought it would be, thank you for posting it :)

Boris Borealis 7 months ago

Thank u very helpful!

Nurije Koliq 7 months ago

You make it look like something even I could do. Good guide, thanks!

Don Belfus 7 months ago

Great could do with some more tips

Hugh Searle 7 months ago

Brilliant guide!! Would love to see more.

Jodie Bartholomew Oates 7 months ago

Excellent help!

Ryan Schenk 7 months ago

Pro job!

Jennifer Horrocks 7 months ago

Exactly what I need because my housing agency is trying to charge me an extravagant price to fix a hole in the wall.

Maketa Colbert 5 months ago

Fantastic comments and helpful tips. Thank you for those, Steven, and thank you for reading!

Build.com (author) 7 months ago

Also, inspecting the interior (with gloves, *always*) would reveal any further damage, like a dent in the drywall on the other side. (Troublesome if that other side belongs to a neighbor) And it also ensures that you would identify any pipes or wires and whatnot that could have been damaged themselves, or could be a potential problem when making a cut and completing the rest of the repairs. :) btw, just recently found this app and I'm loving it so far!

Steven Jacks 7 months ago

Second, I would suggest adding a small bit that mentions inspecting the perimeter of the inside of the hole for any studs because that would cause a whole extra problem if one were to be discovered while cutting the square. (It's one of those things I learned the hard way). It's no big deal to work around, you'd just have to adjust the planned square cut.

Steven Jacks 7 months ago

First, I clicked the 'Report this step' but I have no idea what it does, so apologies for any issues that might have caused.

Steven Jacks 7 months ago

Be first to comment on Step 2.

Thanks so much! I can do this! Your instructions were great!

Lynda Cecere 7 months ago

Thank you, Lynda. You can probably find a 12- or 24-inch piece of drywall at your local hardware store.

Build.com (author) 7 months ago

Nice job! Where do you find scrap drywall?

Lynda Cecere 7 months ago

Be first to comment on Step 4.

Be first to comment on Step 5.