When compared to the Fireguard Drywall Repair Plug, a drywall patch (sometimes) takes longer to install. For Example: In an operating room a door knob hole can be plugged with hot mud at 8am, sanded and another coat (if needed) at 9am, sanded and Fire. Intro: Patching a Large Hole in Drywall So you somehow got a large hole in the centre of your drywall. The Drywall Repair Plug is not a drywall patch or kit. Unlike a drywall patch that hides the damage, the Drywall Plug is like a presto type patch that actually plugs the hole! Because this is not a kit, there is no need to pay for extra unnecessary items.
How to Fix Drywall Holes. Tough as it is, drywall can withstand only limited abuse. A door flung open with too much force can produce a doorknob- size hole in the wall. This kind of damage looks bad, but even large holes are easy to fix. The easiest way is to purchase a drywall repair kit. Measure the hole, and visit your local hardware store or home improvement center for a kit. There are various sizes and types for different applications. For example, a drywall patch for a ceiling is thicker than one for a wall. Before you use the kit, remove any loose paper or plaster around the edges of the hole. Then apply drywall patch, following the manufacturer's instructions. In this article, we'll tell you how to fix both a small and a large drywall hole. We'll start with a small hole. Fixing a Small Drywall Hole. To make a repair to a small drywall hole without a kit, follow these directions: Step 1: Prepare tin can lid that is at least 1. Use keyhole saw to cut out narrow horizontal slit in wall on each side of hole. Measurement of hole plus both narrow slits should equal diameter of lid so you can insert lid sideways into hole. Step 2: Use awl to punch two holes in center of lid. Thread 1. 2- inch piece of wire or string through holes. Step 3: Holding ends of wire, slide lid through slit. Still holding wire, pull lid toward you until it's flat against inside of wall. To hold in place, set stick of scrap wood over hole on outside of wall and twist wire tightly over stick. Can lid should be held firmly against inside of wall. Step 4: Use putty knife to apply premixed drywall patching compound over patch following manufacturer's instructions. Pack compound or plaster into hole against backing and behind stick. Keep compound inside hole, cover backing, and fill slits, but don't spread it on wall surface. Leave patch slightly low, and don't try to level it. Let patch dry until it turns bright white, typically at least 2. When dry, cut string or wire and remove stick. Step 5: To finish patch, fill it completely with more plaster of paris or drywall patching compound to make patch level with wall surface. Let dry, lightly sand area, prime, and paint. In the next section, we'll get more ambitious and find out how to fix a large drywall hole. How to Repair a Medium- Size Hole in Drywall. Repairing drywall is a great do- it- yourselfer task because tools and materials are cheap, and there’s very little risk (to you or the house). Plus, if you can master the repair, it’s a skill that will serve you well no matter if you own or rent. So before you call the local handyman next time, give yourself a chance to tackle this basic, home improvement project. Editors Note: This is a great tutorial that I put together in March of 2. Best of OPC section found in the right sidebar. If you read through the comments, you’ll find some alternative drywall repair suggestions, and some of them are valid options. However, the method I describe here is tried- and- true, and it results in a flawless, durable patch every time. Furthermore, a number of drywall contractors confirm that this is how they tackle a medium sized repair. Materials List. Drywall (see below)Mesh tape (see below)Setting compound (see below)Backer boards (see below)1- 1/4. Purchase a piece bigger than the hole because you’ll be squaring it out (and making it slightly larger). Home improvement centers often sell 2 x 2. Drywall is commonly available in 1/4. Most interior walls have 1/2. Paper tape is another alternative, and it results in a stronger joint. If you expect any sort of movement or stress on the joint, paper tape will better resist cracks. If you use mesh tape, I recommend avoiding the pre- mixed joint compound (more on that next). Setting Compound: Setting compound (or hot mud) is a powder that comes in a bag and needs to be mixed with water. Unlike joint compound which dries through evaporation, setting compound dries through a chemical reaction, shrinks very little and dries very hard. Setting compound is differentiated by drying time (in minutes), and you’ll find 5, 2. Setting compound is nice because you’re able to apply a second coat without waiting too long. I purchased an easy- sand, 5 minute compound. If you’re a novice to patching drywall, go with a longer drying time. Backer Boards: Repairing a medium- sized hole in drywall calls for adding a new piece of drywall. To secure this new piece, you’ll need some sort of backer boards, and I used small pieces of 1/4. I’d guess the previous owner opened to door too hard, and instead of repairing the damage, covered it with a plastic wall bumper. Cutting a circular (or other oddly shaped) piece of drywall is tedious. Instead, I like to widen the hole into a square or rectangle. I recommend scoring the edges with a utility knife before you start sawing. Step 2: Secure the Backer Board. This is a medium- sized hole, and it’s impossible to simply fill the void with compound. I need to add a new piece of drywall, and to fasten the drywall, I need some sort of backing or furring strip. To accomplish this, I slide a piece of 1/4. For this hole, there is a stud nearby so I cut the drywall to expose half the stud. This gives me a nice nailing surface of the left side. Now I just secure my backer board to the right side. Step 3: Cut a New Piece of Drywall. Use your utility knife and/or drywall saw to cut a new piece of drywall that fits into the hole. Step 4: Cover the Joints with Tape. I covered the entire new piece of drywall and all the edges with mesh tape. Often you’ll see people cover the screw heads too (which is fine but I didn’t). Step 5: Mix Compound and Apply First Coat. It doesn’t take much compound to cover a hole like this. I mixed a little powder and water until the compound had a thick, “mashed- potato” consistency. This is important because if the compound is too wet, it’ll result in a poor bond. Sloppy mud is also a pain to work. Keep adding powder (or water) as necessary until your satisfied. Using the 6. Make sure you embed all the mesh tape, and try to eliminate any air pockets. Step 6: Second Coat. While the first coat dried, I mixed up another small batch of compound. I didn’t bother to sand in between the first and second coat, using my knife to check for any high points. If you’re really good at patching, you can finish everything off in two coats. I fully expected to need a third coat. After the second coat dried, I used 1. The goal is to create a seamless transition so you’ll never know the wall was damaged. Step 7: Final Coat. When you apply the final coat, try to make it as smooth as possible. It’ll save you from having do a lot of sanding. Step 8: Sand Smooth. Feather all the edges by sanding them smooth, and give the rest of the patch a once- over to eliminate any dimples or ridges. Feel everything with your hand to make sure it’s all even. Step 9: Prime. It’s really important to prime your drywall repair because compound will absorb paint differently, and even if you did a good patch job, without primer it’ll be obvious. Step 1. 0: Paint. We keep a little leftover paint for each room for just this purpose. I like to roll the paint because I can notice brush strokes, and again that’s a giveaway that you patched the drywall. Rolling the paint gives it the same texture as the rest of the wall. If you enjoyed this project, why don’t you check out the other home improvement how- tos available in the Project Guides section. Subscribe and never miss an article! Free articles delivered conveniently to your inbox(and no spam, we promise)Enjoy this?
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