Repairing a large hole in your wall is surprisingly easy when you follow a few simple steps:
- Use a utility knife or coping saw to square the edges of the drywall hole.
- Cut a patch from a new piece of drywall, making sure it’s slightly smaller than the squared hole – but don’t try to insert it in the hole without a solid backer to stop it from falling in behind your wall.
- To form a solid backer, cut a piece of scrap wood or another piece of drywall that’s wider than the square hole, and wrap one or two lengths of wire around it. Insert it in the hole and lodge it against the back of your damaged wall by pulling the wire snug. This backer creates a new “bottom” for the hole.
- Secure the wire on your side of the wall so the backer remains in place, then insert your patch in the squared hole. Apply drywall compound around the edges of the patch, smoothing it flush to the undamaged wall.
- Allow the compound to dry, then snip the wire before sanding and painting.
