You punched a hole in the wall: tips for plastering a wall

Website design By BotEap.comHave you ever put a hole in the wall?

Website design By BotEap.comMy earliest memory of damaged drywall is when I was a child. My sister and I were jumping on the bed. Right before my eyes, my sister crashed into the wall leaving quite an impression. To say that my parents weren’t happy is an understatement.

Website design By BotEap.comWhen I was a teenager, my fist hit the walls often, again to the dismay of my parents.

Website design By BotEap.comNow, as a parent, I am the one who has to repair the holes in the wall. My boys are always playing one game or another. Many times this ends in damage.

Website design By BotEap.comThis is how we fix the little holes.

Website design By BotEap.comGet a repair kit at the hardware store

Website design By BotEap.comThese are simple pre-cut patches. You will need a putty knife, sandpaper, glue (joint compound) and preferably child-free time.

Website design By BotEap.comNext, cut off the excess drywall. Clean the area. Glue the patch to the top of your hole cutting off any excess. Be careful, as it bubbles very easily – slow wins this race here.

Website design By BotEap.comNow you can add some putty with your knife. You want to add small pieces at a time to get a thin, even layer. Go in one direction from top to bottom.

Website design By BotEap.comLet it dry again before adding a second coat. Add a third coat if necessary.

Website design By BotEap.comAfter drying it once more, put some sandpaper on it to smooth the edges.

Website design By BotEap.comTips for plastering a large hole

Website design By BotEap.comLarger holes are a bit trickier. The hole my sister made was very big. You will need a utility knife or drywall knife and a ruler.

Website design By BotEap.comCarefully draw a rectangle or square around the hole. Cut the entire piece from the wall.

Website design By BotEap.comNext, you will need the help of a carpenter or your local hardware store. You need some strips of plywood cut a little longer than your hole. These back up your hole and give it support.

Website design By BotEap.comOnce you have them, place them inside the hole vertically and screw them into place.

Website design By BotEap.comNow measure your drywall, cut it to size, and screw it to the plywood strips.

Website design By BotEap.comAdd drywall tape to the outside edge of your rectangle.

Website design By BotEap.comUsing a putty knife and joint compound, add a coat to the edges making sure to cover the screws.

Website design By BotEap.comLet dry and add an extra layer.

Website design By BotEap.comUse sandpaper to smooth and level the edges.

Website design By BotEap.comHave you ever put a hole in the wall? Did you repair it yourself?

Website design By BotEap.comWith these helpful tips and tutorials on YouTube, you can fix this common problem.