How to Repair Drywall
From nail pops to fist-sized holes, almost every drywall repair uses the same three skills: patch, mud, sand. The trick is thin coats and patience.
What You'll Need
Video tutorial: How to Repair Drywall
Putty knife (6" and 10")
Joint compound
Mesh tape or adhesive patch
Sanding sponge or 220-grit paper
Drywall saw
Primer and paint
Step-by-Step
Clean the damageCut away loose paper or crumbled drywall with a utility knife so you're working with clean edges.
Choose the right patchSmall holes (under 1"): just fill. Medium holes (up to 6"): self-adhesive mesh patch. Larger: cut out the bad area square and install a drywall plug with backing strips.
Apply the first coatSpread a thin layer of joint compound over the patch with a 6" knife, pressing firmly to embed any tape.
Let it dry fullyJoint compound needs 8–24 hours to dry. Don't rush — fresh mud will smear if you sand it.
Apply coats two and threeEach coat goes on wider and thinner than the last, using a wider knife (8" or 10").
Sand smoothOnce fully dry, sand with a fine sanding sponge until the patch is flush with the wall. Wipe dust away.
Prime the patchAlways prime before painting — fresh mud absorbs paint differently than the surrounding wall.
Paint to matchRoll on a coat of matching wall paint. Re-roll the entire wall if the patch shows through.
Pro tipThree thin coats always beat one thick one. Each coat should feather a few inches wider than the last.
If you don't think you can do it, let our experts help.