How Big of a Hole can You Patch in Drywall?

You can use a drywall patch up to about 8 inches of a hole. Anything larger than this usually requires some pieces of drywall for the rigidity to span the space.

Repairing small holes in drywall can be done with a simple patch. These drywall patches can be purchased at most local hardware stores like Lowe's or Home Depot. The patches can be applied directly over the drywall holes. You just need to make sure the hole is clean and smooth so the patch can stick properly.

After the patch, you will apply drywall joint compound or spackle over top of the patch and smooth it out. This drywall repair usually fixes holes and drywall cracks.

If the drywall is cracked or chipped, you can use drywall compound to fill it in first. This will help smooth out the drywall further so that there are no ridges or bumps after applying the drywall patch.

If the hole is larger than 8 inches, you should follow these steps:
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1. Cut out a square around the drywall hole (about 2 inches larger than the hole). If the cutting hits a stud, you can stop there and just clear the stud of all drywall around your square. The stud can be used for leverage with the new piece of drywall.
   
   
2. If no stud exists, install 2 backing strips of plywood (usually 1/2 inch thick) inside the cut out to create a support structure for the new drywall. Use drywall screws to secure these pieces of plywood to the existing drywall. If a stud exists, use the stud as the structure.
   
   
3. Install a new piece of drywall that is about 1/4 inch smaller than the hole so it fits in snug. Use drywall screws to attach this new piece of drywall to the backing strips you installed in step 2.
   
   
4. Tape the seams of the patch piece. The tape should be sticky and self-adhesive. Cover all seams and overlap the tape in the corners.
   
   
5. Mud the tape completely with joint compound. A putty knife or drywall knife will be ideal here. Cover all pieces of the tape with a smooth and even coat that's thin enough to blend in the the existing wall.
   
   
6. Let the mud dry and scrape any clumps or large bumps. Your goal is to make it appear flat without damaging the tape underneath. Add more mud if needed during this step.
   
   
7. Sand the dry mud to a smooth and easy finish. This will make a mess so be prepared.
   
   
8. Prime and paint the patch area to match the existing wall.

If you like our tips on drywall, you'll love hiring us for your drywall repair or installations. We service Milwaukee, West Allis, Greenfield, Wauwatosa, and the entire Milwaukee county area. Give us a call today!