Tips for Repairing Small Holes in Drywall

Ok…if you took our advice last month and beautified your home with drywall, what do you do when that beautiful drywall becomes damaged? We like to think that the first call you make is to Handyman Connection of Ann Arbor, but we understand that sometimes, you just want to fix the small things yourself. Allow us to share some tips that can help you along the way.

First, make sure you have all of the proper tools and materials:

• Joint Compound
• Flexible Putty Knife
• Hammer
• Sandpaper
• Mesh Patch Kit
• Paint (preferably the same paint color that was used on the wall…trust us on this)
• Paint roller pan and a mini roller (½” nap)
• Paintbrush
• Dropcloth (we’re all about keeping it clean)

If you are dealing with a small dent, perhaps caused by a doorknob, you can easily fill it with joint compound. Use a flexible putty knife to fill in the area. Smooth and feather the edges. After the compound has dried, apply additional coats until the defect is filled and the dented area is level with the rest of the wall. Allow the area to dry for 24 hours before sanding, priming, and painting. To prevent doorknob dents and dings from happening again, consider installing a doorknob wall stop or wall protector. These small, circular vinyl discs are inexpensive and adhere to the area of the wall that comes into contact with the doorknob.

If you have a small hole, use a mesh patch to repair the area. Begin by placing the self-adhesive mesh patch over the hole. Use a flexible putty knife to apply joint compound over the patch, remembering to feather the edges. Allow the area to dry for 24 hours, and then apply a second coat of compound, if needed. Once your final coat has dried for 24 hours, you’re ready to sand, prime and paint.

We hope these tips help you fix the minor damage to your drywall. If you don’t want to attempt this repair, or if the damage is larger, contact Handyman Connection of Ann Arbor and we’ll get your walls patched up! Contact us today for your free, no-obligation estimate!