Learning how to repair drywall

Learning how-to-repair-drywall holes and replace water damaged sheets seems like a big job, but it really isn't that bad at all. It's messy, I'll give you that, but it's quite easy.

drywall wall repair


The pic above to the left is where a daycare child was swinging a 5 lb. weight around and then let it go into the wall.

I know, I shouldn't have let him play with weights, but nobody told me that daycare kids are all psycho. I learned that later on. Please, can we focus here?

Anyway, the hole is the first hole to violate my self-built home and I really took it quite personal. My wife wanted to do daycare in our nice home, so I let her. The money was good, but my home was torn apart! Still, I love those kids. It's been several years. Sigh! I miss them.

Okay, let's move on.

easy wall patch


This is a quick and dirty way to patch up a hole in the wall that you won't find in many web sites or in many DIY drywall blogs. I call it the "drywall plug."

It wasn't my idea, my brother-in-law, whose a master of drywall tape and texture for over 20 years, taught me how to do this.

patch a wall hole


Okay, here's a hole in the wall now.

It doesn't matter how it happened, gosh have some decency!

Alright, it had something to do with a little alcohol and a lot of passion with my awesome wife. Nuff said.

easy wall patch

A really easy way to patch big holes in walls no longer involves mesh netting like before. We just cut out a piece of sheetrock that is bigger than the hole we want to cover, then create a paper flange or flap on the gray sheetrock side.

It's easiest to cut the brown paper side of the sheetrock. Be careful not to cut the gray paper in front.

patching drywall holes in the wall


This is what it looks like when all the brown paper and gypsum is trimmed away. There is nothing left except the gray paper that will hold the plug in place and make it really strong with a little help from the joint compound.



This is what it looks like from the front. This will make a much stronger seal than the old mesh netting stuff we used to use. It's cheaper and stronger. Cool huh?!

patching walls

Before we put the sheetrock plug into the wall, we need to spread a little joint compound (mud) around the the outside of the hole itself and around the wall so the plug and the gray paper have something to adhere to.

Now let's insert the sheetrock into the wall. Hopefully, it's a perfect fit.

fix wall

Be sure to get a good amount of mud under the gray paper so that the paper holds the plug in place until we can spread a coat of mud over the entire patch and wall.

Try to squeeze any excess mud out from underneath the gray paper so the hole is smooth against the wall.

easy drywall techniques

Spread a layer of drywall mud over the plug so that it fits evenly into the wall. This is the first layer. It may require a little sanding before we apply the second layer

Let this dry for several hours and apply the second coat. It should need only two coats. We can then prepare it for the texturing coats.

wall texture



When using a hopper for the wall texturing, we need to put plastic around because it makes a real mess. Texturing makes such a difference in the appearance of the wall.

The consistency of the compound needs to be about like cake batter. This works really well.

texture walls

This is me spraying the walls of my home trying to get back the sanctity of my home after it was vandalized by kids.

It is really important to get the right mixture of compound so that it blends right in with the older pattern.

Hiding holes is often a lot easier than hiding water damage. That requires a complete stripping of the sheetrock from the walls and and new sheets brought in and hung. New taping and texturing will also need to be done.

Continue reading here: Home electrical wiring first steps of installation with circuit breakers

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Readers' Questions

  • Jan
    Do it yourself sheetrock repair?
    1 year ago
    1. Prepare the area: Remove any loose paint or debris from the area you’re repairing. Remove any broken pieces of Sheetrock and set aside.
    2. Cut a new piece of Sheetrock: Measure the size of the area you’re repairing and use a keyhole saw to cut a piece of Sheetrock that will fit. Make sure it’s slightly larger than the area you are repairing.
    3. Secure the new piece of Sheetrock: Use nails or screws to secure the new piece of Sheetrock to the wall or ceiling.
    4. Apply joint compound: Apply at least two layers of joint compound to the seams and corners of the Sheetrock. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
    5. Sand the Sheetrock: Use sandpaper to smooth out any rough spots or bumps in the Sheetrock.
    6. Apply primer and paint: Once the Sheetrock is completely dry, you can apply primer and then paint to blend in with the rest of the walls or ceiling.
    7. Clean up: Clean up any dust or debris from the area you were repairing.