Walls can be damaged in many ways, from small holes left by a nail and small cracks to large cracks. Each problem has its specific solution, and the degree of difficulty of the repair largely depends on the size of the damage. This tutorial will give you instructions for remedying a wide variety of imperfections or holes in the walls.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Repair a Very Small Hole
Step 1. Purchase some putty and a small putty knife if you need to repair a very small hole
This kind of imperfection is usually caused by nails or screws and can be eliminated quickly and easily with putty.
- There are many types of fillers on the market. Generally a product that does not shrink is recommended, so that no gaps develop between the edge of the hole and the filler material.
- Small cracks that form between moldings and window frames can be filled with putty, but it's much more convenient to use paintable silicone that you can buy at hardware stores or paint shops. Simply spread a small amount of silicone along the crevice and then flatten it with your damp finger.
Step 2. Smear a small amount of putty over the hole using the putty knife
Do not put too much on the spatula blade. Although the exact amount depends on the size of the hole, a ball of putty the size of a marble is generally sufficient.
Step 3. Smooth out the grout with the putty knife
Your goal is to make the area and the edges of the imperfection as uniform as possible with the surrounding wall. Use a damp cloth to remove excess product that may have remained on the wall.
If you haven't done a good job or removed too much grout, you can always spread another small layer with the putty knife
Step 4. Wait for the product to dry and then paint the area if necessary
Sometimes the hole is so small and the wall color so light that a touch up with paint is useless.
Method 2 of 4: Repair a Hole Like a Golf Ball
Step 1. Gather and gather all the tools and materials you will need
To repair a hole the size of a golf ball, you'll need a piece of drywall or drywall tape, a small amount of putty, a finishing trowel, and 120-grit sandpaper.
Step 2. Apply the piece of drywall or tape over the hole
Water-moistened tape is definitely the cheapest solution, but the piece of drywall adheres and flattens better, plus it's thinner.
- There are plasterboard “patches” of various sizes and you shouldn't have difficulty finding them in paint shops and large DIY centers. They are specifically designed to repair holes, so they fit perfectly into cracks and offer a good surface to spread and smooth the grout on.
- Holes that are at most the size of a golf ball can first be filled with material that adheres to the edges, or you can simply patch them up.
- Any imperfection of the piece of plasterboard can be eliminated and hidden with putty.
Step 3. Spread the putty or "plaster" on the patch
Use a finishing trowel to spread it on the wall and smooth it out.
The putty is sold in packages of varying sizes. If you believe you will have to do a lot of repairs, it is worth investing in a larger batch. If, on the other hand, you will limit yourself only to this intervention, do not waste money and buy only a tube of plaster
Step 4. Wait for the patch to dry, it will take about 24 hours
Once dry, you can smooth the area with sandpaper until you no longer feel the edges of the patch by touch.
Step 5. Paint the area like the rest of the wall
Make sure you have removed all the dust you created with the sandpaper.
Small repairs of this kind do not require the use of a primer, otherwise you will notice a darker stain
Method 3 of 4: Repair a Large Hole in Drywall
Step 1. Get or buy the materials you need
To repair a large hole in drywall, you will need a piece of drywall, special putty, a finishing trowel, sandpaper, a drywall hacksaw, and a utility knife.
- You can buy all these products in a building material store or in large "do-it-yourself" centers.
- Since you'll only need a few square centimeters piece of drywall, check to see if you or a friend have any leftovers in the garage instead of buying a large panel in the store. Regardless of how you get it, make sure the panel is the same thickness as the drywall on the wall you need to fix.
Step 2. Cut out the damaged area of the wall
To repair a large hole in the drywall, you need to remove the damaged part of the panel between two load-bearing posts. This way you can attach the new piece of drywall to the posts.
Use the specific hacksaw and follow the line of the posts to cut out and detach the panel. Then, with the utility knife, remove the plasterboard edge that is stuck in the center of the posts. This will give you enough space to attach the new panel
Step 3. Cut out the new panel according to the dimensions of the opening you created in the wall
You will have to be particularly precise and careful if the shape is a bit strange. Fix the “patch” to the supporting posts using a screw approximately every 15 cm.
With the cutter, he makes small changes to the new panel, since the hacksaw is not suitable for precision work
Step 4. Apply a thin coat of putty to the edges of the panel to seal the patch
This layer will only serve to adhere the drywall tape.
Step 5. Apply the tape all around the perimeter of the new panel
Press it into the grout to flatten it completely and scrape off the excess mortar with a trowel.
- Drywall tape is sold dry, but it must be soaked in water before being attached to the wall.
- The tape can be cut to any length, and when multiple segments are applied they should overlap by at least 2.5cm.
Step 6. Apply the grout or putty just above the tape line
Usually the tape is allowed to dry, but in some cases a second coat of putty is immediately applied. Follow the instructions for your specific product.
Step 7. Wait for the tape and grout to dry overnight
When both are dry, you can apply a third layer of mortar, if you think that the one previously applied is not enough.
Step 8. Sand with 120 grit sandpaper or a scouring pad
Work the surface until it becomes smooth and even.
Step 9. If necessary, try to reproduce the same surface texture as the rest of the wall
When carrying out these "patching" works, one of the main problems is uniformity with the rest of the wall. It is not easy to solve this detail, since the surface workings have often been carried out with a machine. Sometimes, a stiff bristle brush manages to recreate the same effect: dip it into the plaster and dot it on the dry plasterboard panel. If necessary, after waiting a few minutes for the plaster to stabilize, you can go over the surface with a trowel to flatten the most prominent areas.
Step 10. Apply a primer and then repaint the panel to match the rest of the wall
Large surfaces - such as plasterboard sheets that cover entire load-bearing walls or even rooms - must be treated with the primer with great care, to make them really resistant and fix them properly. The primer also allows you to save on finishing paint.
Method 4 of 4: Repair a Large Hole in a Wood and Plaster Wall
Step 1. Purchase and gather all materials
For this type of repair you will need plaster, a large or finishing trowel and sandpaper.
Step 2. Remove the loose plaster
You have to peel off the whole damaged area and at the same time avoid enlarging the hole. Gently scrape and remove all broken and partially detached pieces of plaster by moving away from the center of the hole until you encounter a solid patch of plaster.
Step 3. Attach all unstable wooden planks to the supporting poles below
Use screws for this. You should use drywall ones, but if the planks are partially cracked, add wide, thin washers.
If some boards are too damaged and are unable to withstand the plaster, you will need to replace them
Step 4. Add the plaster into the hole
It is a first rough layer of "patch", so its surface will remain slightly below the level of the rest of the wall and must not be smoothed. Wait for this first layer to dry a little until the plaster is firm but not hard.
The consistency of this first layer should be similar to that of peanut butter
Step 5. With the trowel, apply a second layer
This should be thicker than the first, but the real goal is to get a smooth, level surface with the rest of the wall.
This mixture should be a little more liquid than the first one below so it will be easier to smooth with a trowel
Step 6. Wait for the patch to dry completely
Smooth the surface with 120-grit sandpaper if you have not been able to sand it sufficiently with the trowel. Being able to smooth a wall well with a trowel requires a lot of experience; so don't be discouraged, if it will be your first attempt at sanding.
Step 7. If the wall has surface features, try to reproduce them on the repaired area as well
It will not be easy because, often, these consistencies are made with machinery. You can try to create the same effect by dipping a stiff bristle brush into the plaster and then applying it to the dry area. If necessary, wait until the plaster has dried a little and then flatten the areas detected with the trowel.
Step 8. Apply a coat of primer and paint the wall
Always use a good quality primer on plastered walls, so you protect the wall and save on finishing paint.
