Do you have a dent in the wall and aren’t quite sure what to do about it? Do not panic! In this post, I will tell you how to fix a dent in the wall and how to fix holes – large and small!

How to Fix a Dent or a Small Hole in Drywall

While they may not be significant in size, small holes in drywall can be just as aesthetically unappealing as large holes. You will likely be surprised by how simple the repair of smaller holes in drywall can be.

As with any other home improvement project, having the right tools can make all the difference. Patching drywall holes is no exception. You will see the best results when you use the proper tools and materials and follow all the steps. Let’s review what you will need to patch smaller holes in drywall.

Tools/Materials Required to Patch Small Holes

Holes Smaller than 2″ in Size

• Fiberglass Mesh Tape
• Joint Compound (Drywall Mud) or Spackle
• Drywall Knife (or Putty Knife)
• Utility Knife
• Hammer
• Driver
• Screwdriver or Drill
• Fine-Grit Sandpaper (Sponge)
• Microfiber Cloth
• Dust Mask

Holes or Dents Between 2″ and 12″ in Size

• Joint Compound (Drywall Mud) or Spackle
• Drywall Knife (or Putty Knife)
• Drywall Patches
• Fine-Grit Sandpaper (Sponge)
• Microfiber Cloth
• Dust Mask

How to Patch a Small Hole or Dent: Smaller than 2 Inches

Nail and Screw Holes

The smallest holes you must patch often come from nail pops or screw holes. A nail or screw head often works its way out as a result of expansion and contraction in the wood, poor installation, etc. Don’t worry, though; they are both simple to fix.

Drive Nail or Screw Into Wall

For nail heads or screws pushing through the drywall, you will remove the dried joint compound protruding from the wall using your joint knife or even your finger. If it is a nail, you will use a driver and a hammer to push the nail back into the wall. If it is a screw head, you will use either a screwdriver or a drill to drive the screw back into the drywall.

Apply a Thin Layer of Joint Compound

Once you have driven them back into the wall, apply a thin layer of joint compound or spackle over the area with your joint knife. When the joint compound has dried, use a fine-grit sanding sponge to sand the area. After sanding, use a microfiber cloth to remove any dust, then apply a second coat of joint compound or spackle to the area.

Repeat Process

When the second coat has dried, you will sand again using the sanding sponge and remove the dust using the microfiber cloth. The goal of the second coat is a smooth finish, so sand lightly in a circular motion, making sure to blend the new joint compound into the existing wall surface.

Two coats of joint compound or spackle should be sufficient for this repair. You should now be ready to prime and paint the affected area.

Holes or Dents Up to 2 Inches in Size

Holes or dents that are less than 2 inches can be repaired using fiberglass mesh tape and joint compound or spackle.

Prep Area

Using a utility knife, cut out any pieces of drywall sticking out from the wall. Sand the area smooth. Using a microfiber cloth, remove any dust.

Apply Tape and Joint Compound

Depending on the size of the hole, you will either apply one strip of joint tape over the hole or two strips, with the second overlapping the first. Secure the tape using either your figures or a drywall knife, then apply a thin layer of joint compound or spackle over the tape using a 4 or 6-inch drywall knife.

Repeat Process

Once the joint compound or spackle has dried, sand the area using a fine-grit sanding block or sponge and remove the dust using a microfiber cloth. You will likely repeat this process twice to achieve a smooth finish. Once you have sanded the final coat, you will be ready to prime and paint!

 

How to Patch a Small Hole in the Wall: Between 2 and 12 Inches

Holes in drywall between 2 and 12 inches can be most easily repaired using a self-adhesive mesh patch. These are readily available at any home improvement store like Lowes or Home Depot and come in sizes up to 12 inches.

Apply Patch

To repair damaged drywall using a drywall patch, remove any protruding pieces of drywall using a utility knife and apply the patch over the hole.

Apply a Thin Layer of Joint Compound

Once you have applied the patch, apply a thin coat of joint compound over the patch with a 4 or 6-inch drywall knife, making sure to overlap the edges of the patch with the compound. When the joint compound has dried, sand the area using a fine-grit sanding sponge, then remove the dust using a microfiber cloth.

Repeat Process

Using the same method, you will apply two more coats of joint compound to the patched area. Depending on the patch’s size, I recommend using a 12-inch drywall knife for the second and third coats to ensure a smooth surface and seamless transition to the existing surface.

Once your final coat has dried, you will be ready to prime and paint!

 

 

How to Patch Large Holes in Drywall

Large holes in drywall require more work than smaller holes, but don’t be discouraged. The process of patching a large hole is fairly straightforward! Again, the first step to any successful home improvement project is ensuring you use the right tools. Let’s discuss what you will need to patch a bigger hole in drywall.

Tools/Materials Required for Large Holes (size greater than 12″)

• New Piece of Drywall
• Paper Drywall Tape
• Joint Compound (Drywall Mud)
• 4″ or 6″ Drywall Knife
• 12″ Drywall Knife
• Utility Knife
• Drywall Screws
• Drill
• Square
• Pencil
• Tape Measure
• Fine-Grit Sandpaper (Sponge)
• Microfiber Cloth
• Dust Mask

 

 

How to Patch A Large Hole in Drywall

Measure Drywall

The first step is to measure the thickness of the existing drywall. If the existing drywall is 3/8″, you will want to use 3/8″ drywall for your replacement piece. Likewise, if the existing drywall is 1/2″, you want to use 1/2″ drywall. If you try to use thinner drywall than the existing one, you will have to make up that difference with drywall mud.

Cut Around Damaged Drywall

The next step is to determine the location of the joists (if patching the ceiling) or the wall studs (if patching a wall) closest to the damaged area using a stud finder. Once you have identified the locations of the wall studs or ceiling joists, use a square and pencil to draw a line perpendicular to the joists or studs above and below the area to be repaired.

The goal is to create a square around the damaged drywall. Once you have drawn the two lines perpendicular to the joists or studs, cut across the top and bottom using the lines you created as guides until you are stopped by the studs or joists using a drywall saw.

Using a square, draw a line between the joists or studs on the center of the stud, which is 3/4″ from the outside edge. The existing drywall should rest on half, which is 3/4″, of the joist or stud, and the new piece will rest on the other half. This will leave you enough room to insert screws.

 

 

Use a utility knife to cut along the drawn line on each joist or stud. You should now have a square cut around the damaged area of drywall. You can now remove the piece and set it aside.

Add Support If Needed

Depending on the size of the hole and the location, you may want to add a piece of support material, such as a piece of wood. Use screws to attach it to the existing drywall.

Measure for Size of the Replacement Piece

The next step is to measure and cut your replacement piece of drywall. There are two methods for doing this from which you can choose. You can subtract 1/8″ from the size of the opening you cut, or you can cut the new drywall piece to match the opening measurements and trace along the edges of the piece on the wall where it is being installed. You would then cut along the outside of the traced line to give you tight but adequate access for the replacement piece.

Install Replacement Piece

Once you have your replacement piece cut, it is time to place it in the opening and screw it into place. Make sure you install a screw in each corner and every 12 inches depending on the opening size. Make sure to install screws into the support piece if you added one and at the studs or joists in the existing drywall.

Apply the Tape and Joint Compound

It is now time to apply the drywall tape. I recommend using paper tape when patching large holes, as it is stronger than mesh tape. Apply a thin layer of joint compound using a 4-inch drywall knife, then press a piece of paper tape in the compound with the center line of the tape over the edge of the replacement drywall piece.

Pass over the tape using your 4-inch drywall knife, squeezing out any excess mud. Do not squeeze so much out that there isn’t a thin layer under the tape. When you squeeze too much mud out from under the tape, you end up with bubbles in the tape. The next step is to apply a thin layer to the top of the tape using your 4-inch knife.

Repeat the Process

When the joint compound has dried, you will sand the area, being careful not to remove too much mud. The goal is a smooth surface with a seamless transition to the existing wall surface. Once you have finished sanding, use a microfiber cloth to remove the dust before applying your second coat. You will repeat this process for up to four coats of joint compound. You will likely apply three and possibly four coats of joint compound to achieve a smooth surface.

Prime and Paint

Once your final coat has been sanded and the dust removed, it is time to Prime and Paint! Make sure to check out my post about priming, Why and How to Prime Walls, and Which One to Use! If you decide to go with a new color since you are already working in the space, I recommend my post on painting How to Paint a Room in Just a Few Simple Steps!

 

Summary

You should be a future expert in drywall repair at this point! In this post, I told you how to fix a dent in the wall and holes: large or small. You should now know the tools you need for the job and the steps to patch any hole in the wall!