Drywall Repair FAQ
Quick answers to the questions people ask most before a drywall repair. Each one links to the full guide with steps and a tool list.
Holes and patches
What should I use to fix a hole in drywall?
Measure the hole first. Fill nail holes, screw holes and holes up to about 1" with spackle. Fill holes from 1" to 1½" with setting compound and a thin top coat. Cover holes from 1½" to 6" with a self-adhesive mesh patch and three thin coats of joint compound. For anything bigger, cut the damage square and screw in a new piece of drywall. Then sand, prime and paint.
The 1" cutoff for spackle is our rule for choosing a method, not a product limit. Some spackles are labeled for larger holes; follow the label. See how to patch a hole in drywall.
What's the quickest way to fix a small nail or screw hole?
Knock down any raised edges, press lightweight spackle into the hole with a putty knife and scrape it flush. Once it's dry, add a second thin pass to fill the dip left by shrinkage, sand lightly with a fine sponge, then prime and paint. See small holes in drywall.
How do I patch a large hole, like a doorknob hole?
For holes over about 6", cut the damage to a square, add support behind the edges with drywall repair clips or wood strips screwed inside the wall, and screw in a matching piece of drywall. Tape the seams and apply three coats of joint compound. For holes up to about 8", a California patch skips the hardware by using the new piece's own paper as the tape. See how to patch a large hole.
Should I use spackle or joint compound?
Use spackle for nail holes, screw holes, dents and holes up to about 1". Use joint compound for mesh patches, taped cracks, large-hole patches and anything you need to feather wider than a few inches. Compound works on nail holes too, but it shrinks, so plan on two coats. Don't use spackle to cover a large patch. See joint compound vs spackle.
Which type of joint compound do I need?
Premixed (drying-type) mud, such as all-purpose, lightweight, taping and topping, hardens as the water evaporates, usually overnight. Setting-type powder, or hot mud, hardens by chemical reaction, usually in 5, 20, 45 or 90 minutes. For repairs, use setting compound for the first coat and deep fills, and lightweight all-purpose for the final coats. See types of drywall mud.
Cracks, pops and tape
How do I fix a crack that keeps coming back?
Cut the crack into a shallow V with a utility knife, fill it with setting compound, cover it with paper or mesh tape, then apply two thin, wide coats of all-purpose compound. Sand, prime and paint. Hairline cracks in the middle of a wall can be filled without tape, but any crack that has already come back once needs tape. See how to repair a crack in drywall.
How do I fix nail pops?
Drive a drywall screw 1½" from each popped nail, then set or pull the nail and fill both with compound. If the bulge is soft, damp or stained, or the wall bows along a whole stud, the cause is water or framing, and that needs a different fix. See bulging drywall and nail pops.
What causes tape bubbles, and how do I fix them?
For a bubble under about 3" long, slit it with a utility knife, work joint compound under the tape, press it flat with a 6" knife and skim over it. If the tape is loose for more than about 6", or peels off when you pull it, cut out the loose section, bed new paper tape in a full layer of compound, and finish with two thin coats. See drywall tape bubbles.
Paper or mesh tape?
Use paper tape for seams, cracks and inside corners. Use self-adhesive mesh tape for quick patches and around repair pieces, and cover mesh with setting compound on the first coat. See paper vs mesh drywall tape.
Ceilings and water damage
Can I repair a ceiling the same way as a wall?
Mostly, with a few changes. Use lightweight or setting compound in thin coats so it doesn't sag, wear safety glasses, and expect ceilings to be ⅝" board more often than walls. Fix a crack at the wall-ceiling joint with flexible caulk instead of tape. See ceiling drywall repair.
Can water-damaged drywall be repaired, or does it have to be replaced?
Fix the source of the water first, then dry the area with fans and a dehumidifier and check it with a moisture meter against a dry part of the same wall. If the board is firm, seal the stain with a shellac or oil-based stain-blocking primer and paint. If it's soft, crumbling, swollen or moldy, cut it out well above the wet line, replace wet insulation, and hang new drywall. See water-damaged drywall.
Finishing
Do I need to prime a patch before painting?
Yes. Bare compound takes paint differently from the painted wall around it, so an unprimed patch can look dull and flat while the rest of the wall has a soft glow. Painters call this flashing, and it's the most common reason a well-made patch still shows. See drywall primer.
How do I match the texture around a patch?
Finish and sand the patch smooth first, then add texture. For orange peel and knockdown, use aerosol spray texture: test the nozzle on cardboard, spray light coats, and for knockdown, flatten it with a knife after 10 to 15 minutes. Let it dry overnight, then prime and paint the whole area. See drywall texture.
How do I sand drywall without wrecking the patch?
Wait until the compound is fully dry, then sand with a fine-grit sponge or pole sander using light, even pressure. Check the surface with a light held flat to the wall, and stop before you reach the paper. See how to sand drywall.
Safety
Do I need to test for asbestos or lead before sanding?
In a home built before 1980, old joint compound and texture can contain asbestos, so have them tested by an accredited asbestos professional before you cut, scrape or sand (EPA). If the home was built before 1978, test the paint for lead before you sand or scrape it (EPA).
What should I check before cutting into a wall or ceiling?
Turn off power to nearby outlets, switches and fixtures, and check for wires and pipes before you cut.
Materials and hanging things
Is Sheetrock the same as drywall?
Yes. Sheetrock is a brand name for gypsum drywall, and wallboard, gypsum board and plasterboard all mean the same panel. Plaster walls are a different material: harder, thicker and usually found in older houses, and they crack and patch differently. See Sheetrock vs drywall vs plaster.
Which drywall anchor should I use?
Use a self-drilling anchor for frames and light decor, a toggle bolt or strap toggle for shelves, mirrors and curtain rods, and a screw into a stud for TVs, grab bars, cabinets and anything that takes a pull or a lean. Check the maker's published rating for your wall thickness and for wall or ceiling use, and plan on only a fraction of it as a working load. See drywall anchors.
About this site
Is the Repair Finder free?
Yes. The Repair Finder asks what the damage is, where it is and what the wall texture is, then gives you the method, the steps and a tool list. There's nothing to sign up for.
Do you test the products you recommend?
No, and we don't claim to. Product picks are labeled as popular options, and each guide explains what to look for so you can judge any brand on the shelf. See our editorial policy.
How does the site make money?
Some guides link to products on Amazon, and we may earn a commission on purchases made through those links. They're labeled on the page and don't change the repair advice. Read the disclosure.