How to patch a small hole in drywall

To patch a small hole in drywall, press a self-adhesive mesh patch over the hole, cover it with thin coats of joint compound that get wider each time, sand it smooth, prime it, then match the wall texture and paint. For a hole up to about the size of a fist, the work is easy and takes a few short sessions over a day or two. The most common mistakes are skipping primer and making the patch too thick.

Time: about an hour of work, spread over a day. Skill: easy to moderate.

What you need

• Self-adhesive mesh drywall patch, a little bigger than the hole
• Joint compound, also called mud (the premixed kind is fine)
• A 6-inch and a 10-inch or 12-inch taping knife
• Fine sanding sponge or sandpaper (120 to 220 grit)
• Utility knife
• Primer and matching paint
• Texture spray, if your wall is textured
• A dust mask, and a damp rag for cleanup

Step by step

1. Clean up the hole. Use the utility knife to trim off torn paper and loose bits. Wipe off the dust. If the hole is in a bathroom or near plumbing, make sure there is no leak first.
2. Apply the patch. Peel the backing off the mesh patch and press it flat over the hole. Smooth the edges so they lie down.
3. First coat. With the 6-inch knife, press compound through the mesh and spread it across the patch. Pull the knife flat so the compound is thin. It should go a little past the edges of the patch.
4. Let it dry. Wait until it is fully dry, which may be a few hours. The color turns from gray to white. Arizona's dry air helps, but thick coats can crack, so keep every coat thin. During monsoon humidity, give it more time.
5. Second coat. Use the 10-inch knife and spread the compound a few inches wider than the first coat. Scrape off high ridges with the edge of the knife. Let it dry.
6. Third coat if needed. If you can still see the mesh or the edges, add one more thin coat and feather the edges until they fade into the wall.
7. Sand. Put on the dust mask. Sand lightly in circles until the patch feels smooth when you run your hand across it. Use a light touch so you do not sand through to the mesh. Wipe the dust off with a damp rag.
8. Prime. Do not skip this. Bare compound soaks up paint differently from the wall and shows up as a dull patch. Primer fixes that.
9. Match the texture. Many Valley homes have a knockdown or orange-peel texture. Spray the texture can on a piece of cardboard first to test it. Then spray the patch from about a foot away in short bursts. For knockdown, wait a few minutes and lightly flatten the peaks with a clean knife. Let it dry.
10. Paint. Take a paint chip or a small piece of the old paint to the store to match the color. Paint the whole wall edge to edge if the color is a little off, because a small painted square can show up in the afternoon sun.

For nail holes and dents

Skip the mesh. Press a little lightweight spackle into the hole with your finger or a small knife, let it dry, sand it, then touch up the paint.

Arizona notes

• If your home is older and you do not know what is in the paint or the texture, check with a professional before sanding a large area.
• Compound dries slower on humid monsoon days and can crack if a thick coat dries too fast in a hot, dry room.

When to call a pro

Some holes are more than a quick patch. Call a pro if the hole is bigger than your hand, if the drywall around it is soft or stained from water, if you see mold, or if you cannot match the texture. A handyman who does drywall can usually fix a few spots in one visit. For example, I Am Handyman in Queen Creek lists drywall repair, and The Happy Handyman in Phoenix lists drywall as one of its services.

Questions people ask

Do I need to prime a drywall patch before painting?

Yes. Joint compound is porous and soaks up paint more than the rest of the wall. Primer seals it so the paint looks even.

How do I match a textured wall in Arizona?

Test a texture spray can on cardboard first. Then spray the patch in short bursts from about a foot away. For knockdown texture, lightly flatten the peaks after a few minutes.

How long does joint compound take to dry?

A thin coat can dry in a few hours in dry air, and longer when it is humid or the coat is thick. It is dry when it turns from gray to uniformly white. Wait until it is fully dry before you sand.

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