How To Fix Dents And Dings On Walls At Home?

This is part one of a series about repairing drywall in your home, covering minor dings, old nail and screw holes, and nail pops. To fix small wall dents, use drywall mud and a plaster grid. For large dents, use a drywall patch kit and 100-grit sandpaper to smooth the repair before painting over it.

To prepare the damaged area for repair, remove loose debris or paint chips using a putty knife or sandpaper. For larger holes or dents, use self-adhesive fiberglass mesh tape stretched across the area you’re repairing. Use a flexible putty knife to push spackling or patching compound into the hole, through and around the mesh. Gently remove as much excess compound as possible while it is still wet.

A putty knife, spackle, or joint compound can repair wall damage that ages a room. A quart of spackle ($11) and a putty knife can fill dozens of small wall indentations. For the best repair, cut out a square around the hole, attach braces to the back of the existing wall, install a chunk of new drywall to fill the hole, and fill the hole area and surround with plaster. Sand the area flat after all dries, then use a splatter gun or the type of surface to be filled.

To ensure the surface to be filled is clean, dry, and free of loose or powdery material, sand the surface lightly if needed to remove any sharp edges. The five-step wall repair guide includes determining the damage, preparing the area, filling the problem, and addressing weather conditions.