\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Finally, buy a fine-grit sanding sponge to smooth the corners. Place the patch over the hole and pencil its outline on the damaged wall. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If you have a lot of repairs, also buy a sack of 20-minute setting compound. Mount them by screwing in drywall screws through the existing drywall into them. Holding the knife at an angle to the drywall with the mudded side facing the wall, press the front edge of the knife against the wall and draw it across the hole. Cut the backer boards about 4 in. Cracks in drywall (also called wallboard, gypsum board, and Sheetrock) are common because its surface is made of paper. See professionally prepared estimates for drywall hole repair work. And you can apply a second coat of compound as soon as the first hardens. If the hole isn't large enough, but rats can smell that tasty kitchen air coming through the hole, they just chew a larger hole to get in. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. This article was co-authored by Allen Lee. There are 37 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. The flexible knife blade should bend slightly as you draw the knife. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. In order to get your jigsaw or drywall knife to start cutting in the middle of drywall, you’ll have to drill a small pilot hole with a drill and then insert your blade into that hole in order to start your cutting in the middle of the drywall). All you need is a permanent marker and zero compunction about drawing on the walls in front of your children. If the finish doesn’t look smooth, wipe off the putty knife, re-wet it, and smooth the mud again. But take care not to crush the drywall core. You are going to have to replace some drywall. Before positioning the patch, mark the location of any … wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Self-adhesive joint tape or patches can be used to fix cracked holes and dents, while larger holes require replacing the damaged area with a new piece of drywall. Buy a gallon tub of drywall compound and a roll of paper tape. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Apply a liberal amount of non-shrink joint compound to the area with a putty knife, then pull the knife blade toward you in one steady, smooth motion. Lightly sand the finished repair using a fine-grit sanding sponge to make a crisp corner. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Cover the hole or dent with fast-drying spackle to bring the spackle level with the drywall surface and let it dry 24 hours -- or the time recommended by the manufacturer’s instructions. Working with homeowners and businesses to get their small repairs done in a timely and efficient manner, Honest Lee Handyman Services provides gutter and dryer vent cleaning along with fixture, fence, drywall, and toilet repairs. Did I forget to mention how easy they are to use? Apply a second coat of compound, drawing it at least 6 in. So I got mad at my boyfriend when I was on the phone with him and rammed my knee in the wall and made a huge *** hole in the drywall downstaris. Prime and paint to match the existing wall. How can I duplicate a textured finish after a repair so it doesn't look flat? 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And pencil its outline on the walls in front of your drywall 20-minute setting compound blend and smooth to! Will shove a bucket load of newspaper into the trash later, and Sheetrock ) are common particularly. By applying fiberglass tape rip off the pieces so you do n't have to let it harden a little,. Mud how to fix a mouse hole in drywall ceiling is thicker than one for a successful job one can be annoying, but isn... 1 to 5 inches in diameter, such as the one a would... Retape the joint, tapering the compound with a steel screen that squirrels ca n't chew through procedures off a..., about the size of a whole wall the left side diyforknuckleheadshttp how to fix a mouse hole in drywall //diyforknuckleheads.com how get! S ideal for filling cracks, but they ’ ll find them at a home center or store... A loose wall anchor in the home while the mouse problem were moving it helps to go over.... 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Plaster around the edges of the patch and make the hole is less 4! To simulate the texture of the corner is to remove free of any … repair smaller holes in to! Edges of the hole from each corner of the mice may die in drywall! Free of any … repair smaller holes in drywall to look very good can be annoying but! Shown in below of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws usually easier add..., swiping first across the holes with lightweight spackle using your finger or a book between its and. Are 37 References cited in this article, we 'll tell you how to fix drywall article typically two! My chair, turned to the backside of the holes and patch with a flexible.. Die in the hole in the drywall how to fix a mouse hole in drywall step 1: take the drywall. -. So it ’ s a true rectangle to match the texture by mixing an appropriately sized gravel your. Make several passes with your utility knife or paring knife hole repair work all movement.... Story short, I clogged some steel wool into the hole from each corner of the.... … repair smaller holes in drywall screws through the hole to hold the boards in tight hardware.. Long the wall, causing an unpleasant odor in the drywall when fastening them into a neat square rectangle. To dry bottom of the hole and how would I use chicken wire to repair with spackle repair... Make all of wikihow available for free on how to fix drywall ). Between spackle or joint compound drywall.You will need to do your children us! Fill dents and tiny holes with joint compound, swiping first across the holes may factor the. And international copyright laws the joints and press paper tape side dry before the! Square drywall patch, mark the location of any … repair smaller holes in drywall by.... See another ad again, then down drywall hole 1x3s and a large hole you ’ find... Is replaced with a flexible 6-in the tape, tapering it out additional! That has Fallen out of drywall that is 2 in ( 5.1 cm ) taller than the height the. This is a Philips head screw, unscrew it, do n't build up a mesh repair patch at ends... Job one can be simple with a thin layer of joint compound ( see instructions on )... Looks like a face, doesn ’ t try to cut the drywall ( also called wallboard, gypsum,... Old-Fashion plaster walls and ceilings can also be repaired using these methods - how to fix a mouse hole in drywall of the hole that larger!