Fix Your Walls Quickly and Easily With These Two Simple Tips

Holes in the wall can instantly ruin the vibe of any room, from ones in the children’s room, caused by a door handle being used as a handhold, to ones in the living room, caused by furniture being pushed through a doorway too abruptly. Fortunately, there are two quick fixes that any homeowner can use to patch up that hole without the need to buy a kit.

The first of these quick fixes are ideal for small holes, such as those caused by a door handle. In order to do this without a kit, you will need a metal lid from a tin can of approximately 1.5 inches in diameter; you can usually find one in the kitchen. Start by sawing a narrow slit on either side of the hole, cutting into the drywall but not the stud behind it. This slit should match the diameter of the metal lid. Now punch two holes into the lid with an awl and thread a piece of wire through them, before holding the lid up against the wall and sliding it through the slits. Pull the lid over the slits and attach it to the wall on the back of them with a piece of wood, then twist the wire over the stick to make sure that the lid is tight against the wall.

You are now ready to fill the hole. Start by using pre-mixed wall patch compound, as it is plastic and will not shrink after drying. You will need to use a putty knife to spread the compound into the hole and the slits, ensuring that the hole is completely full. Alternatively, mix plaster of Paris with water and use a putty knife to fill the hole completely. Wait for the patch to dry completely and turn a bright white before removing the wire, stick and lid.

The second quick fix is suitable for larger holes that are caused by furniture. You will need to use a scrap piece of wallboard, or purchase a piece from the store, and a piece of wood to fill in the back of the hole. Place the wood inside the hole and spread either a wallboard joint compound or spackle on the back of the patch, which will act as the glue to hold the patch in place. Then place the patch up against the wall, pressing it in with your hands, and let it set overnight. Finish off the patching process by sanding it down, priming it and then painting over the patch so that it blends into the existing wall.

Although these quick fixes are not difficult, you may need to apply several coats of compound or spackling in order to make the hole completely level with the rest of the wall. However, if all else fails, kits are available for purchase which simplifies the process further and makes it easier to patch the hole. Regardless of the route you opt for, with some time and effort any homeowner can easily patch up that unsightly hole in their wall.