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  3. How to patch a hole in a wall

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How to patch a hole in a wall

Accidents happen and it's not that hard to make a hole in your plasterboard walls. One of the most common causes are door handles going through the wall. This guide will show you how to repair a small hole and a large hole.

How to Patch a Hole in a Wall

NOTE: These repairs are not suitable for fire rated walls.

Accidents happen and it's not that hard to make a hole in your plasterboard walls. One of the most common causes are door handles going through the wall. This guide will show you how to repair a small hole and a large hole.

Fix a small hole

Repair a hole up to 150mm in diameter;

  • Mark a neat rectangle around the damaged area.
  • Cut out the area with a keyhole saw, utility knife, or a multitool.
  • Sand around the area. This will ensure the best adhesion between the compound and the painted surface.
  • Cut a piece of plasterboard that is at least 20mm longer than the hole, but small enough to fit through the hole. This acts as a back block to hold your patch.
  • Place a 60mm flat head nail through the centre of the back block and coat the ends with compound.
  • Insert it into the hole and pull toward the front using the nail.

  • Leave to dry for an hour, and once hard, gently push the nail back through the patch.
  • Cut a piece of plasterboard patch to loosely fit the hole.
  • Use compound to fix the patch in place.
  • Apply compound over the joints.
  • Immediately place a length of paper jointing tape over the four edges into the compound.
  • Use the broad-knife to remove any air bubbles under the tape.
  • Once the first coat is hard, apply a second coat of compound over the joint areas, feathering the edges as you go.
  • Leave the compound to dry for at least 24 hours.
  • Scrape away any rough edges using a broad-knife.
  • Apply a thin finishing coat over the patched area.
  • Leave to dry and sand smooth.
  • Decorate the area as required.

Fix a large hole

Repair a hole over 150mm in diameter;

The principles are similar, but you’ll need to cut away the damaged area back to one or two studs and use a plasterboard patch.

  • Find the centre of the closest stud to your hole.
  • Mark a rectangle around the damaged area, coming off the centre of the stud.
  • Transfer these measurements to a sheet of plasterboard, and cut it to size. Tidy up any edges. This will be your patch board.
  • Place your patch board back over the damaged area, and draw around it to mark the area to be cut away.
  • Cut away the damaged area using a multitool or keyhole saw.
  • Sand the area around the repair to ensure the best adhesion between the compound and painted surface.
  • Cut a length of plasterboard that is 100mm wide and 100mm longer than the height of the hole.
    Note: If you have cut away to both studs this will not be required. Fixing to both studs is the easier method of repair, but is not always possible.
  • Use some compound to fix the plasterboard to the side of the hole.

  • Place your patch panel into the hole. You may want to use some screws on the stud side to ensure a solid fixture.
  • Apply a coat of compound over the four joints using a broad knife.
  • Place a length of paper jointing tape into the compound around all four joins. Use the broad knife to remove any air bubbles under the tape.
  • Once the first coat is hard apply a second coat of compound over the joint areas, feathering the edges as you go.
  • Leave the compound to dry for at least 24 hours.
  • Scrape away any rough edges using a broad knife.
  • Apply a thin coat of compound, over the patched area.
  • Leave to dry and sand smooth.
  • Decorate the area as required.

Handy Hint:

You can use the same method for repairing downlight holes in your ceiling. Just use a hole saw to cut a circular patch the same size as the downlight hole, and follow the same steps.