Quick drywall fix: How to patch a hole in the wall in under 30 minutes
Wall damage happens in the blink of an eye. Luckily, DIY drywall repair takes only 30 minutes. Become your own handyman now.
Is it worth it to fix your own drywall? It is if you have 30 minutes.
Hiring a handyman can be helpful for larger renovations, but with guidance from our quick tutorial, we're confident you can take on this simple DIY job yourself. HomeAdvisor estimates that the average drywall repair project could cost you $559. In comparison, using an all-in-one patch kit will run you around $10 and take only a half-hour of your time.
The 2021 LightStream Home Improvement Survey showed that spending more time at home has spurred up to two-thirds of homeowners to want to repair and renovate. If you're patching drywall for the purpose of selling, read more here about whether it's really necessary to renovate before you sell. You can also click here to see which home improvement projects will be friendliest to your budget.
How to fix a hole in the wall: Supplies
Supplies:
Paint
Paintbrush
3M Wall Repair Kit, including all-in-one spackling and primer
Drywall sanding block
Putty knife
Self-adhesive patch, 4″
How to fix a hole in the wall: Tutorial
Using a handy repair kit can turn the drywall patch process into a quick fix, and we're here to walk you through it:
1. Clean the wall.
Remove any extra drywall or debris, including stains or wallpaper.
2. Put on the patch.
Remove the backing, and make sure the package covers the hole completely. Press the patch firmly to the wall so that the tacky adhesive bonds well.
3. Prep and apply the primer.
Mix the spackling compound from an all-in-one primer, like 3M Patch Plus Primer. Apply the spackling to the patch, spreading thinner toward the outer edges of the hole. Carefully blend the spackling compound into the wall at a similar thickness. Allow the compound to dry for 30 minutes.
4. Sand the wall.
Use the sanding pad in the primer kit to smooth and buff the spackling compound. Sand lightly to desired consistency, checking that the patch on the wall doesn't show through.
5. Remove the dust.
Wipe the surface clean from all debris with a dry cloth. If the mesh patch appears, repeat steps 3 through 5 again.
6. Paint the wall.
Paint the sanded portion of the wall to match its original color, and admire your handiwork when you're done.
