This video demonstrates how to fill small and large holes in an exterior wall, such as those that allow wires to go from the AC unit into the basement. The hole is larger than it needs to be and there are several ways to fix it. One option is to ignore the hole and hope for the best, figure out how to repair the hole, hire a handyman to fix it, or start looking for companies that buy houses in any condition. Filling a hole in your wall is simple and can save time and money.
The first step to repairing a small hole is to clean the surface using a small wire brush. A small automotive wire brush is ideal for this task. If you have an exterior wall that you plan to paint, the best way to fill exterior wall holes is to use a masonry filler. These are designed for external use, providing a strong, durable surface that can be painted.
For larger holes, you need to fill it in layers, letting it dry in between. Repairing holes in walls, ceilings, and corners typically involves filling them with wood filler or patches, sanding them smooth, and applying drywall patching. For small holes, use drywall mesh tape and drywall compound. For larger holes, cut a bigger hole.
A good outdoors silicon caulk is usually needed, either clear or paint-able white. Mix Rock Hard putty in a paper cup with water and mix thoroughly. You can quickly repair holes or knicks on the exterior of your home by following these tips and tricks.
📹 Repair a plumbing hole in a stucco wall
Repair a plumbing hole in a stucco wall. Stucco in a hole caused by plumbing problems. We show our work because we are …
How big of a hole can you patch in a wall?
Before starting a DIY repair project, measure the hole size to determine the necessary materials and methods. For smaller holes, joint compound or spackle with drywall tape is typically used. For larger holes, new drywall may be cut and secured with screws. Ignoring drywall damage can lead to further problems, such as moisture and pests entering the wall, causing structural damage and costly repairs.
Cracked corners or loose drywall sections can also pose hazards, especially in high-traffic areas. Taking the time to repair damage will improve the appearance of your walls and maintain home integrity.
How do you fill large holes in exterior wood?
Epoxy is a versatile filler for wood holes, requiring specific methods depending on the size and shape. It adheres to wood’s pores and fibers like dyes or varnishes. Hardware stores often carry two-part epoxy kits with a hardener for a durable, waterproof filler. For small holes, use a putty knife or epoxy ball, while larger holes can be made with sawdust or wood shavings. After drying, sand the paste flush with the wood’s surface and apply paint or varnish as needed.
How to fix a hole in the outside of a house?
In the event of a hole exceeding the dimensions of a dime and situated beneath the exterior application, it is recommended that an approved, weatherproof filler be employed. Once the area has dried, a weatherproof patch should be applied, sanded to remove any irregularities, and, if necessary, another level added to ensure it is flush with the wall. Once the surface is level, a coat of paint should be applied to the patch.
Can spackling be used outside?
Ordinary spackle is not waterproof and should not be used outdoors. However, there is a special type of spackle that can be used both inside and outside. Check the instructions on the container to see if it is suitable for outdoor use. If you have leftover spackle from a project that was indoors, it is safe to use it for outdoor projects. Pegboard can be used for hanging tools in your basement, but it should be used with caution and follow the instructions on the container. It is important to follow safety guidelines when using spackle outdoors.
How to fill holes in exterior concrete walls?
To properly prepare uncoated and previously coated concrete surfaces, remove loose debris, clean the area, and apply a thin layer of concrete patching material. Blend the repaired area into the existing surface using a wet sponge and allow it to dry. Home Depot’s 9 in. x 1/4 in. Polyester Adhesive Roller Cover is recommended for applying adhesives to smooth surfaces and stippling, as well as sand paints. This product is only available in-store at Home Depot.
How to seal an exterior wall?
Waterproofing exterior walls is crucial for maintaining property integrity and preventing structural damage. To effectively waterproof your walls, follow these simple steps:
Inspect your walls for cracks, gaps, or signs of damage. This can be done visually or using a moisture meter. If any damage is found, repair it before proceeding with the waterproofing process. This ensures proper adhesion of the waterproofing material and long-lasting protection.
Clean your walls thoroughly. Dirt, dust, and debris can hinder the adhesion of the waterproofing material. Use a power washer or hose to wash the walls, removing dirt, grime, or mold. Allow the walls to dry completely before proceeding with the next step.
In summary, waterproofing exterior walls is a crucial step in maintaining property integrity and preventing structural damage. By following these simple steps, homeowners can effectively waterproof their walls and protect their property from the elements.
What is the best caulk for exterior use?
Silicone or silicone-latex caulks are the most suitable exterior caulks for use on windows, doors, trim, and siding, making them ideal for exterior applications.
How to seal exterior holes in house?
To prevent pests from entering your home, check for gaps between walls and window frames or door jambs using a caulk gun to seal them. Apply exterior grade caulk that matches the frame color or is clear and can be painted. Smooth the sealant out with a caulk finisher or finger. If you have bugs, check for gaps in weather stripping on doorways, windows, and garage doors. Replacing weather stripping is a cheap DIY project, and door corner seals can be used to seal smaller gaps without replacing the entire strip.
What is the best way to fill holes in exterior walls?
Filler can be used to repair cracks in corners, which are vulnerable to wear and tear. Two methods are to repair the damage with undercoat plaster using a nailed-on board or reinforce the corner with metal or plastic corner beading. To make a patch using metal corner beading, cut the expanded beading to the right length with a hacksaw, paint the cut ends with metal primer, and wet the wall. Apply patches of plaster undercoat each side of the corner using a plasterer’s trowel. First, cut back crumbling plaster to a firm surface with a cold chisel and hammer.
How to patch a large hole in an outside wall?
In order to fill a void in a concrete wall, it is recommended that Earl’s 1kg Concremate Expanding Cement be utilized. This cement can then be smoothed with the use of a scraper. Prior to the setting of the cement, a sponge of a coarser texture should be used to imitate the surface of the surrounding material. Once the curing process is complete, the area should be painted.
📹 How to Patch a Hole in a Brick Wall | Ask This Old House
Time: 4-6 hours Cost: $150 Skill Level: Moderate to Difficult Tools List for Patching a Brick Wall: Safety glasses …
have been trying to find the appropriate article that fits our situation. I’m taking a little from here and there. But this one may apply. So here’s my question. We bought a house a year and a half ago. The balcony door was not installed correctly. There was also a shade installed onto the outside of the house through the stucco and most likely the waterproof membrane. Not sure how long ago it was installed and leaking like this. But after hiring some leak specialists, we found that this is the cause of a considerable amount of leaking into the house. We thought fixing the installation of the door would fix the problem initially, but since finding out the shade being the cause, we are getting all sorts of opinions. I just want it fixed correctly so we can finally fix the drywall and wood inside the house. Once the shade is pulled off, we have been told to just caulk the problem holes. But we have also been told that the membrane has been been pierced most likely and that needs to be replaced. The leak specialists said using caulking to plug any holes is only a temporary fix. Those advocating for the caulk said that to repair the membrane, the stucco on the entire side of the wall would have to be torn off to put the membrane back on in one piece. Which way is the right way? WHO do I hire?
I am a plumber and I learned after about a year that I made so many plaster guys lives harder, I never knew about the breakout and I always had my perfectly lined symmetrical stucco holes open for so many jobs. Now I have angry homeowners asking why I destroyed and put such an ugly janky hole in their home and I explain to them to trust me, its part of the process, itll help the guy that patches the stucco. I had the opportunity to learn how to do stucco at my first job and refused to learn it, while it wouldve been extremely useful to know, it was a trap. My boss would have stuck me only on stucco patches and taken me away from learning my trade, same with drywall and concrete. Now im at a company that would value that knowledge and respect me not to be the in house patch guy exclusively. Thank you for this article, its extremely helpful, gonna bust a hole in my home and try to patch it lol
I don’t quite see the match in the tic-tac-doe pattern elsewhere on the wall. I think I would have floated it a bit more. ” Under the existing paper”? Makes sense on top side, but shouldn’t new paper be over existing paper on the lower end so as to act sort of like a shingle for any water or moister?
You didnt show us step by step you just showed us after wards after steps like how much paper was that the pnly isulation how did you attach it how much did it run how much do you have to buy was it fastened ny nauls glue…useless articles maybe if you already knew how to do it nut seems more Ike a proof we were here and did the job article than an instruction for behinners!
We actually have some damage to the exterior stucco in our home. We called a local stucco specialist and when they came out, they informed us that the paint on the stucco is why the stucco was cracking and warping. Paint was trapping the moisture inside the stucco and causing the issue to happen. I was never told this before and everyone I knew was going “Whaaaat? That can’t be true! I painted my house plenty of times and this never happened!” So i’m not sure what to believe.
I moved into my first house ten years ago. All stucco. Holes, cracks, gouges, etc. Needing various repairs–roof, electrical–could not afford stucco repair and repaint. So I watched a gazillion of your articles and did the best I could. I pleased my toughest customer (wife) and that was good enough for me. However, some of that “work” was not the best and I am redoing it today—after re-freshing myself on your articles. I cannot thank you enough for not only posting so many informative & instructional articles, but for injecting the humor. May this message find you in good health. Sincerely, home owner in Van Nuys. 🙂
I’m not understanding why you would calk anything on this job? In fact on similar jobs you posted there was no caulking used at all. Especially if you’re going to caulk both sides and the bottom wouldn’t that create an area for the water to pool? I’m not criticizing, I’m just trying to understand it. I have done similar jobs as an amateur, never used calk, never had any problems. Could you please explain in detail what the purpose of this would be for?
Ok so here we went over the existing paper it’s ok to go under the existing paper but here we went over the existing paper. So NOW I’m going under the costing paper. Thanks for the help Kirk I’m working on my bathroom built in 1958 has plaster and metal mesh, do you suggest I break out the edges where I have cut of the walls?
Wow you du Kung Fu man of Stucco. Black belt and all! Instead of Hsing I Chuan and the 5 Elements method, you,’ve got the Mud-on Mud-off moves and 5 Trowels method. You should have your guys wear different color back braces, for their different levels of Stucco Mastery. You kind of do look like Master Mike Patterson. Giving me flashbacks of my Kung Fu youth, man. Got some house repairs to do here in San Diego, so glad you posted! By the way, taking up a little Tai-Chi, or Pa-Qua exercises will help with that immune system weakness. Just saying** Very cool info.
I had a plumbing repair done, and the hole is only a little bigger than that. It’s an outside ceiling. When the plumber broke out the stucco he used a hammer, so the mesh is intact. There was no paper behind. The stucco guy wanted 1800.00 USD. That is not a typo. Is there anything special I need to consider for a horizontal surface? There is still stucco stuck to the wire in places. Should I break that away, or just wet it so it sticks?
This article helps me tremendously. I have a clean out the plumber needed to get to. They left me a repair that I am confident I can perform thanks to your article. It would have been great to see the entire process. I think I’m able to read between the lines to complete my project. I thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge via article. Consultation via zoom would be an additional revenue stream for those of us outside your range. Off to a big box store to purchase my material. Again I thank you.
We went ahead and broke out some buckling stucco and installed our deck ledger board and completed the deck (minus the last few decking boards against the house). Now we need to repair the jagged stucco edge along the top edge of the ledger board. My question is, how do you know when to ONLY use a base coat for the whole job, or when to do a two step process, base coat then finish coat product? Btw, we’re using Quickcrete Stucco Base and bought a Quickcrete stucco Finish bag
You’re very entertaining. But I feel bad for people that come here to learn things. Why would you not use a grinder and cut back to the studs and then stick a piece of hardy board in there. There is no strength in that ” patch “….. I see that your ways do work. But they definitely aren’t the best ways. 🤷♂️
Everyone tryin to give him in shit for the others guys mistakes when it came to the random smooth lines THAT IS NOT HIM he is just trying to match up the patch not make it proper if that was that case he would have to redo the whole house but no that is not what the home owner wants the home owner just wants it patched up and within the same pattern
The maker of this article keeps saying that I’m jealous that I’m critiquing his work and I shouldn’t be because I don’t know what I’m talking about but if you read all the comments people agree with me that the work this guy does is terrible it looks like an amateur Did the work but he seems to think I’m trying to be mean and vindictive all I can say is read what people are saying and they agree with me 100% it does not look good I’m not an expert in plastering walls I will admit that however I do know what looks right and what looks wrong and if I paid someone to do that and it look like that on my house that would be a problem because even though I have no experience I am sure I could do a better job than that some people are just naturally gifted and can do jobs just naturally without being a professional
Is it possible to repair stucco from inside, rather than outside ? The reason being, we have electric service panel on the exterior wall and it is difficult feat to remove the panel in order to fix the stucco hole. Our best bet is to fix from inside since we have the inside sheet rock removed The hole is about 8 to 10 inches.
Question from an amateur and not a criticism: Couldn’t you have added the osb or plywood before you added the stucco? I thought there was OSB or plywood, then the metal wire, and then the stucco over that? I’m asking because I want to patch a dog door that the previous homeowner actually cut through the stucco instead of adding it to a door. I’m handy in carpentry, but have no stucco experience yet.
Hi Kirk I am doing some Reno’s on our house and have removed a window. I now need to patch the hole and make it blend in with the rest of the exterior. The exterior is white and has a sort of lumpy thrown on finish. Is there a particular article of yours with step by step instructions that you can reccomend? Thanks mate! Happy new year!
HI Kirk, I took down the chimney in my house in Oakland and now need to do stucco patchwork. I watched this article of yours which is very informative, thank you for that. The house is 94 years old and has some old stucco. Since I need to patch up the chimney area with stucco anyway, I am thinking about resurfacing the front and one side of the house with new finish stucco. The house also has some cracks to seal too. Is it a good idea or not. and what material should I purchase?
Have a 65 yr old home with a lot of phone lines and cables and hurricane shutter nails that were shot into the house ALSO with Bahama Shutters that I DO NOT WANT REMOVED, can this be done with out removing the Bahama shutters and how do you work around the nails that were permanently shot into the block to hold down the hurricane shutters? Block house….Thanks
Need a little advise Kirk. I did a repair on a corner, due to water damage. I remove and clear soft cement, and apply a little paper at the bottom only, and the mesh. My stucco is cracking in the center but corners are solid good. Can I use a KILZ Primer sealer and then more adhesive for stucco(all over the area), then apply the finishing stucco layer.?? All around the edges where the mud meets the rest of the wall is good. Just like 3 or 4 cracks in the center The area worked is small, less than a foot square. (Triangular shape) Any advise, will be appreciated. Thanks for the informative and great articles.
a Doctor in san diego once told me to remove a sore throat fast just put a half a tea spoon of table salt way back of your throat for long as you can stand it like 5 mins to kill the bacteria forming there… maybe 2 times in a day… it will be gone in one day… you see salt kills BACTERIA… Haha…. that sore throat will be gone in a hour or two… but now your not going to spend money to support the medical world…. Believe me on this it works great ….
Hi Kirk! I could & have watched you for hours. You make it seem so easy:) My question for you. Can stucco be applied over kiltz primer on the exterior wall of a house? I’ve tried to find it in your articles. I think it was an adhesive or something to make it stick but, on primer? Not sure what to do. Thank you for your time Kirk:)
started with a search for replacing drywall and landed in stucco repair. #grateful. As another person said earlier in the comment section, within seconds of hearing you explain things, there was no doubt one could trust in your direction. Great article. Wealth of knowledge. Super Helpful. Viva El Presidente of Plaster. The Sultan of Stucco.
I have a similar situation with a hole created for a plumbing repair. I’ve broken it out to the studs and added insulation but will that be a strong enough backing for the paper and the stucco netting? It looks like the previous owner had done some kind of foam insulation that hardened and then papered directly over that. I already removed that foam stuff during the breakout phase and have added the same type of insulation you have but it still feels a bit too soft for the mud. Also I’ve using the standard stucco netting but should I use a netting similar to the one you have in this article? Thanks!
KIrk, thanks to all your articles and instructions I was able to repair and re stucco, skim coat a complete 1200 sq ft. home . I have no experience in stucco, Im a welding contractor. The results were outstanding using the products you recommended. The customer was very happy. I then sprayed the home with a 123 primer and two coats of elastromeric paint. the place is bullet proof. Thanks for the education that you give your audience so freely . Good men a few and far between these days. god bless you and your family
I have and outside wall that is faux brick stucco. There is a spot where the spouting came loose and after years it has eroded the stucco down to where I can see the wire behind it. I repaired the spouting when I moved it, but I cannot find any plastering companies near me that want to mess with my tiny repair. They are all busy doing large construction jobs, etc. Any advice on how to get a pro like yourself to come help out a little guy?
Pardon being off topic of the article, bur it encourage me to ask about my own brick issue. My home is over a century old and I suspect behind the plastered walls is brick. I want some exposed brick in my home and how do I tell if there is brick already in place without doing serious damage to my walls?