Walls can be damaged by a variety of things, from small nail holes to large holes in the wall. Each problem has a different solution, and the level of difficulty really depends on the amount of damage done. This article will guide you through repairing various types of wall damage.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Repairing Minor Damage on the Wall
Step 1. Purchase a spackle paste and a small putty knife for very small holes
Small holes in the wall are usually caused by nails or screws, and can be easily fixed with a spackle.
- There are several spackle options available. It's best to buy a light spackle paste that uses the latest primer technology so that no cracks appear between the wall and the putty.
- Small cracks between the trim and the molding can be filled with spackle paste, but your job will be easier if you use paintable putty, which can be purchased at a hardware or home supply store. Just apply putty along the crack and smooth it with wet fingers.
Step 2. Spread a small amount of spackle paste over the holes using a putty knife
Don't put too much paste on the putty knife. Usually you only need a pea-sized amount of pasta, unless the hole is very large.
Step 3. Smooth out the spackle paste with a putty knife
Try to make the transition between the paste and the wall as subtle as possible. Use a damp cloth to wipe off any excess paste around the hole.
If you damage the putty so it's no longer flat, start over and apply a little more paste than before
Step 4. Allow the spackle paste to dry before painting it, if needed
Sometimes, the patched hole is too small and the wall color is bright enough that it doesn't need to be repainted.
Method 2 of 4: Fixing a Golf Ball-sized Hole in the Wall
Step 1. Prepare all the necessary equipment and tools
You'll need to gather all the necessary tools and materials before you start. To patch a golf ball-sized hole, you'll need:
- Fiberglass mesh tape or sheetrock tape
- A little joint compound (gypsum powder is white)
- Gypsum knife (drywall) size 10 cm
- Sandpaper with 220. grit
Step 2. Glue fiberglass mesh or sheetrock tape on the hole
Sheetrock tape is reasonably priced, but fiberglass patches will stick together more strongly, spread more easily, and are thinner.
- Holes the size of a golf ball or less can also be patched with plugs or covers glued to the holes.
- The protruding parts of the patch can be smoothed with a joint compound.
Step 3. Apply joint compound, also known as “mud” (mud), to the patch
Use a gypsum knife to apply and flatten it on the wall.
- Mud is usually contained in a “California Cake Pan” or small rectangular box measuring 10 x 30 cm. If you plan to use a lot of sheetrock in the future, it's a good idea to buy one pack. If you're only going to make one repair, don't waste your money.
- Some people prefer to use a material called "hawk". This material is good for plastering (stucco).
Step 4. Allow the mud to dry, usually for 24 hours
Continue to apply a thin layer of joint compound until it is even and smooth. When it's dry, buff as needed using 220 grit sandpaper. Continue until you can't feel the "boundary" between the patch and the wall.
Step 5. Apply paint to match the color of the patch to the wall
First, remove all the dust from the sandpaper from the area to be painted.
Make sure you apply a primer before painting the walls
Method 3 of 4: Fixing a Large Hole in the Sheetrock Wall
Step 1. Prepare all the materials needed
You can buy everything you'll use at a home supply store. You need:
- Sheet rock. Since you only need a few sheets of sheetrock, try asking a friend or looking for an unused one instead of buying a new one. However, usually small sheetrock sheets are also sold at home supply stores. Check the thickness of the sheetrock on the repaired wall. The thickness of the walls of the house is usually 1 cm and the ceiling is 1.5 cm. Walls and ceilings that are widely sold are always 1.5 cm thick.
- Joint compound tape
- Joint compound
- A set of gypsum knives measuring 15 cm, 20 cm and 30 cm
- Emery paper
- Sheet rock saw
- Razor blade
Step 2. Cut off the damaged area of the wall
To fix a large hole, you'll need to cut the wall down to the center of each plank on either side of the hole. Make sure your pieces are parallel to each other. That way, you can mount a new sheetrock on the board
Use a razor to cut through the center of the board. Then, cut horizontally using a gypsum saw. That way, you can install a new sheetrock on the board
Step 3. Make a new sheetrock cut according to the size of the newly created hole
You may need to trim the hole if the shape is a bit odd. Secure both sides of the board using one screw for each approximately 15 cm
Use a razor blade to adjust the size of the patch. Use a sheetrock saw for rough in cuts
Step 4. Apply a thin layer of joint compound around the patch
A layer of joint compound will provide the basis for attaching the fiberglass mesh tape.
Step 5. Apply sheetrock tape around the sides of the patch
Press the tape into the mud until it is completely flat and remove the excess mud with a small trowel.
- Sheetrock tape needs to be soaked in water before sticking to the wall
- You can use any size of tape, and overlap 2.5 cm when attaching it to the wall.
Step 6. Apply the mud, or joint compound, in a straight line along the pasted tape
You can wait for it to dry, or you can apply a second coat immediately to cover the tape.
Step 7. Let dry overnight
When it's completely dry, apply a third coat where it doesn't look smooth.
Step 8. Smooth using gypsum sandpaper with 220 grit
Sand until the surface of the mud looks smooth.
Step 9. Try to recreate the wall texture, if needed
One of the main problems with wall patching is matching the texture to the old wall. Textures are difficult to replicate because they are usually machined. To texture a patch, you can use a stiff stipple brush, where you stick the brush in the plaster and make dots on the dry patch. If necessary, use a small trowel to flatten the protruding parts.
Note that home supply stores typically stock three types of aerosol textures: knockdown, orange peel, and popcorn
Step 10. Apply primer and paint over the entire wall
Large areas such as walls and rooms covered with sheetrock must be primed well to be strong and durable. After that, proceed to painting the entire wall.
Method 4 of 4: Repairing Large Holes in Lath and Plaster Walls
Step 1. Prepare the necessary equipment and materials
Collect all the equipment before starting. To repair lath and plaster walls, you will need:
- Plaster patch compound
- large joint or small finishing trowel
- Emery paper
- Coarse grade screws for wood and fine grade screws for metal are 3-4 cm.
Step 2. Remove the damaged plaster
You need to remove all the damaged areas so they don't spread to other parts. Remove any loose or cracked plaster, starting from the center of the damaged area and working outward.
Step 3. Tighten the loose lath on the board underneath
Use sheetrock screws but if the lath is cracked, add a wide, thin washer to the screw before attaching it to the lath.
The lath that is damaged so badly that it cannot hold the plaster should be replaced
Step 4. Apply the patched plaster to the hole
This is a rough in layer so the patch surface should be below the wall surface, and it doesn't need to be completely smooth. Allow the coating a minute to dry, until the surface feels a little stiff, but not yet hard.
The consistency of the plaster patch should be like peanut butter
Step 5. Apply a second coat with a small trowel
This layer should adhere to the first layer, and provide a smooth surface that is flush with the wall.
The patch layer should be slightly thinner than the layer behind it. In this way, the surface can be leveled more easily with a small trowel
Step 6. Allow the patch to dry completely
If it's not quite flat with a small trowel, smooth the surface with 220 grit sandpaper. Don't be discouraged if you have to sand the surface on the first try, as using a small trowel does take a lot of practice.
Step 7. Recreate the existing texture
It is difficult to match old textures with new ones because they are usually machine made. However, you can get aerosol textured cans at home supply stores. The trick, stick a stiff stipple brush on the plaster and spray it on the dry patch. If needed, once it has hardened a bit, smooth out the protruding parts with a small trowel.
Step 8. Use a primer and paint on the patch
It's a good idea to use a good primer or a paint containing plaster wall primer as it will protect the wall so you don't have to buy wall covering paint.
Tips
- Most dry patching compounds are difficult to sand. You should use a standard joint compound to patch wallboard (drywall) or plaster.
- If the area that needs to be patched gets wet frequently, you will need to use a waterproof/mildew-resistant green board.
