Spackle, Shmackle Five simple tips for fixing a hole in the wall

It's easy to make a hole in a wall, but is it easy to fix it? It's easier than you think to repair the holes in your wall. Here are five easy tips to follow.

1. Determine the size of your hole

Holes of different sizes require slightly different repair methods. If you have a nail or a small hole, just patch it with a compound. After he has dried; sand the stain for a smooth finish.

If you are room is a little larger (about the size of a switch box opening), you can fill the hole with newspaper before applying the compound to provide greater stability and so you can use less compound.

For medium sized holes (approximately 30 x 30), you will need to use a technique called hot patch. In this case, you will have to fill the hole with gypsum with a flap on each edge.

For very large holes, you will need to treat them as new areas to cover. You must remove the nails or screws that appear in the frame, then cut a new piece of drywall. You will need to secure the gypsum, then tape it, sand it and finish the new wall.

Measure your hole and then from there. You want to make sure that you use the correct correction technique for the size hole you have.

2. preparation

Once you have determined which technique to use to fill your hole, make sure you have all the equipment you need. This will save you valuable time later by making sure you have enough mixed compound and the right tools to apply it. You will need to work a little faster once the compound is mixed and ready so you do not risk letting it dry because you forgot to have all the tools you need.

If you are filling a larger hole, make sure the drywall is cut and ready before you even think about mixing the compound. At this point, it may be wise to check the size of your hole to be absolutely sure that the technique you have decided to use is the right one for a hole of this size. You do not want to just fill in the hole, then decide that you need some support such as newsprint to keep the complex in place.

3. Do not over-foam

Although many people think that applying enough of your compound will solve all your problems, this will not necessarily be the case. If you have a medium or large hole, using only a compound will not be effective because it has nothing to take. The result will be a very unstable patch, likely to crack or collapse. Even on small corrections, you do not want to apply too much compound. The secret of compound application is to apply as little and as gently as possible. If you apply too much compound or apply it unevenly, you will have some sanding work in front of you and in some cases the compound will still be visible once painted. Remember that moderation is the key.

4. Have a little patience

When you try to finish a new house project, you are often eager to move. In this case, you must take your time and make sure your compound is completely dry before going to the sanding and finishing stages. If you try to sand before the compound is dry, you may do more damage than you did at the beginning or you may have to start over. Follow the instructions on the compound you are using, especially in terms of drying time. Take some time away from the project - remember that a monitored pot can never boil down. It's a great time to clean all your tools so that the compound has no chance to dry on them.

5. Sanding and finishing

Even though your hole may look smooth, you do not want to ignore the sanding process. There may be small ridges that you can not see but will become more obvious once you start painting. Lightly sand the surface to avoid removing too much dough. Clean the area of ​​any sanding dust and proceed to the painting step.