Drywalls aren’t the toughest materials in a house. They’re brittle and made of fragile material so they could easily be cut and fitted during installation. And most standard drywalls used on walls and ceilings are only a half-inch thick. That’s why drywalls can fairly easily be damaged producing unsightly holes, cracks, and dents no matter what kind or how new they are. And unfortunately, no matter how much care you take to avoid getting your walls and ceilings damaged, accidents and other unprecedented events are always bound to happen.
One of the most common causes of small holes on the drywall is the nails and screws popping up. Occasionally, nails or screws that haven’t been pushed down properly during the finishing of the drywall may pop up over time and tear through the thin layer of drywall compound put over them.
Other common causes of small drywall holes include aggressive playtime with the kids or pets, accidents, and doorknobs that hit the wall too hard and too fast. Fortunately, small holes that measure at least 1 to 2 inches in diameter are fairly easy to repair on your own. Larger holes, on the other hand, require different materials and different repair methods.
Before you can start repairing the small hole in your drywall, you need to get your tools and materials ready. If you’re dealing with loose nails and screws, you’ll need a hammer and a screwdriver. Other things you’ll need are a utility knife, a four-inch drywall knife, self-adhesive mesh joint tape, sanding sponge, clean rag, paint, a paintbrush, and a small tub of drywall compound.
Steps to Repair Small Holes in Your Drywall
Popped Nails and Screws
Nails pops are more common, however, screws can occasionally come loose when damp framing dries out and shrinks. The first step to repairing them is to drive them back in until you create a light dent on your drywall. Other experts say that it’s better to remove the old nail or screw and drive new ones in to give it a better grip and to avoid further damaging the drywall. No matter which way you go, be careful not to crush the drywall core.
After driving your nail or screw back in, cut away any loose joint compound and paper shreds. Then, you can start filling the holes with joint compound. Two coats should be enough to even out the indention with your wall. After it dries, sand it lightly then prime and paint.
Holes
No matter how small they are, holes are simply eyesores. Once you know it’s there, your eyes will just automatically find them every time. In addition to that, holes in your drywall can easily become breeding grounds or entry points for nasty little bugs and creatures to get into your home. So, here are the steps to do your own drywall repair:
1. Clean out the borders of the hole and make sure that the borders of the damaged area are flat or at least recessed inward. Use a utility knife to cut away any loose pieces of gypsum or surface paper.
2. Take your mesh joint tape and cut two pieces making sure that the length extends at least 2 inches on either side of the hole. Then, put those two pieces over the hole in a crisscross pattern pressing down firmly on all sides making sure that it’ll stay put on the wall.
3. With the tape firmly in place, cover the whole area with a joint compound extending a little beyond the hole using your drywall knife. Lightly press on where the hole is to help the compound seep through the mesh tape. Then, smooth it all down. Wait a few hours to allow this first layer to dry. Then, lightly sand any raised or bumpy areas with your sanding sponge. Don’t worry if the tape is still visible at this point.
4. Repeat the third step above at least two more times. And remember to sand between each coat to get that smooth finish that’ll match the texture of the walls. Always be careful not to over-sand though because you might end up exposing the joint tape. By the time the final coat has dried and been sanded off, you should have a smooth, hole-free wall.
5. Using your clean rug, wipe away all the sanding dust. Before painting, make sure to prime the area so you won’t have to use twice as much paint as necessary.