Walls and paint

How to Patch a Small Drywall Hole

Simple steps for patching nail holes, anchor holes and doorknob dents so the repair disappears under paint.

Small holes in drywall are one of the most common things we see in homes. Picture hangers, wall anchors, a doorknob that swung too hard. The good news is that most small holes are a fair DIY job. Knowing how to patch drywall mostly comes down to taking your time with the sanding and painting.

What You'll Need

• Lightweight spackle or premixed joint compound
• A flexible putty knife (a 4-inch and a 6-inch are handy)
• Self-adhesive fiberglass mesh patch for anything bigger than a pencil
• Fine sandpaper (around 150 to 220 grit) or a sanding sponge
• A damp cloth or sponge
• Primer and your wall paint
• A drop cloth and a utility knife

Before You Start: Check What's Behind the Wall

If the hole is near an outlet or a light switch, or anywhere you might cut into the wall, turn off that circuit at the breaker first. Wires and pipes run inside walls, often straight up and down from outlets and fixtures. Don't push a knife or screw deep into a wall when you can't see what's there.

Patching Nail Holes and Small Anchor Holes

For holes smaller than a pencil eraser:

1. Pull out any nail or plastic anchor. If an anchor won't come out, push it slightly into the wall with a screwdriver so it sits below the surface.
2. Trim away any paper edges or loose bits with a utility knife.
3. Press a small amount of spackle into the hole with your putty knife. Scrape across it so it's level with the wall.
4. Let it dry. Lightweight spackle often dries in under an hour, but follow the container.
5. Sand lightly until smooth. Run your hand over it. You should not feel a bump or a dip.
6. Wipe off the dust, prime the spot, then paint.

Spackle often shrinks a little as it dries. If you see a dimple after the first coat, add a second thin coat and sand again.

Patching a Doorknob-Size Hole

For holes up to a few inches across, a mesh patch is the easy way to go:

1. Cut away any loose, crumbled gypsum and torn paper so the edges are firm.
2. Sand the wall around the hole lightly so the patch sticks.
3. Center the mesh patch over the hole and press it flat.
4. Spread a thin coat of joint compound over the patch with a 6-inch knife. Feather the edges out past the mesh by a couple of inches.
5. Let it dry fully. Then add a second, wider coat. Thin coats are better than one thick one.
6. Sand lightly between coats and after the last one. Feathered edges are what make the patch disappear.
7. Prime the whole patched area, then paint the wall.

If your wall has texture, like orange peel or knockdown, a smooth patch will stand out. Spray texture cans can help, but matching texture takes practice. Test on a scrap piece of cardboard first.

Tips for a Patch You Can't See

• Use a bright light held low against the wall to spot ridges before you paint.
• Prime the patch. Skipping primer is the most common reason patches show through.
• Paint the whole wall, or at least corner to corner, if your paint is old. Touch-up paint rarely matches older paint exactly.
• Keep a damp sponge handy. You can smooth compound with it instead of sanding, which means less dust.

When a Patch Isn't Enough

Some holes need more than spackle and mesh:

• Holes larger than your hand
• Water-stained, soft or crumbly drywall
• Damage near the ceiling corners or along seams that keeps cracking
• Several holes close together, like after removing a TV mount or shelving

Water damage is a special case. If drywall is soft or stained, find and fix the leak first. Patching over a wet wall just traps the problem. If the leak is in a supply line or drain inside the wall, that is a job for a licensed plumber. Once it's fixed, we can cut out the damaged section and replace it. Our drywall repair page explains how we handle bigger patches, and if you're wondering why cracks keep coming back, read what causes drywall cracks.

Why People Hand This Off

Patching itself isn't hard. Getting it invisible is. Sanding, feathering and texture matching take patience, and a lot of folks have a handful of holes across several rooms by the time they get around to it. We can patch, prime and paint them in one visit, and pair it with interior painting if the walls need a fresh coat anyway. If you're getting ready to move out, our move-out checklist covers wall holes and other common items.

Let Us Take a Look

Send us a photo of the holes and we'll tell you what it'll take. Call or text (706) 594-5049, or fill out the form on our free estimate page. Estimates are free, and pricing depends on the job.