Philadelphia Weekly

REAL ESTATE

Patch unsightly drywall holes

Tips on prep work, installation, finishing

By Inman News Feed

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Mar. 25, 2011

When you're satisfied with how smooth the patch is and how well it's blended in with the adjacent wall, wipe it off with a damp cloth to remove any sanding dust. Let it dry, then apply a drywall primer to the patched area. This will seal it so that it absorbs paint more evenly.

Finally, apply texture to match. In the case of a texture that was machine-applied originally, such as a "splatter" type of texture, you can purchase patching texture in cans. The can comes with a couple of different sizes of plastic straws that attach to the nozzle, which lets you spray different sizes and weights of texture. Experiment on a scrap drywall or cardboard before actually spraying it on the wall.

In the case of a hand-applied texture, a little more experimentation and artistry is involved. Practice dabbing or rolling on small quantities of joint compound until you achieve the same appearance as what's on the rest of the wall.

Everything you need, from drywall and joint compound to cutting and taping tools, is readily available at home centers, hardware stores or lumberyards.

Remodeling and repair questions? E-mail Paul at paulbianchina@inman.com. All product reviews are based on the author's actual testing of free review samples provided by the manufacturers.