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Repairing a Small Hole in Drywall

By , About.com Guide

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Apply Wallboard (Drywall) Joint Compound

Joint compound is not the same as spackle. Spackle is thicker and is made for smaller hole repairs, for example, nail holes or small dings. Because spackle is thicker, it won't spread as easy and if used in this application, will make the finishing work look poor. So please don't use spackle. Use wallboard joint compound.
  • Using a wide blade wallboard taping knife, trowel on 2 or 3 layers of the wallboard joint compound over the wall patch.
  • Make sure to cover all the pores in the adhesive mesh and to extend the compound past the repair patch by at least 6" to blend into the surrounding area (feathering).
  • Let dry and then sand smooth with a sanding block or drywall sanding screen. Please do not just use sandpaper and your hand as you will never get the sanding flat and it will look poor when painted.
  • If needed, repeat the application of joint compound, feathering and sanding.

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