Simple Repairs

• 1). Take the utility knife and remove all loose paper and gypsum material from the wallboard. If the wallboard is broken up but the paper is still intact, then cut the paper out and remove the loose particles of plaster.
  
  
• 2). Make sure all dust and loose gypsum are removed from each repair spot, and then fill the depressions with fresh, clean joint compound.
  
  
• 3). Smooth off the patch so it is flush with the wallboard surface and then let the compound dry.
  
  
• 4). Sand the patch with medium-grade sandpaper, and then add a second, very thin coat of joint compound with one of the putty knives. Let it dry.
  
  
• 5). Sand the patch again and add the final coat of joint compound.
  
  
• 6). Sand the patch a third time. Make sure all areas of fresh joint compound are sanded until very smooth.
  
  
• 7). Cover the patch with a special sheetrock sealer and then a top coat of fresh paint that matches the color of the existing wall.
  
  

Large Holes

• 1). Cut the damaged area of sheetrock out completely with a very sharp utility knife. Make sure the incision is square or rectangular.
  
  
• 2). Measure the opening and cut a piece of sheetrock that is exactly four inches wider and four inches longer. Cut the patch piece from the 4-foot edge of the sheetrock so that none of the four sides has a tapered edge.
  
  
• 3). Turn the small piece of sheetrock over. With a pencil, mark four lines on the back of the piece of wallboard, each one parallel and 2-1/4 inches in from the outside edge.
  
  
• 4). Lay the piece of sheetrock on a flat surface and use a knife to make a 1/4-inch incision that follows each line.
  
  
• 5). Peel back the pieces of wallboard so you can remove all chunks of gypsum by gently separating the white plaster material from the face paper. When complete, you will have a square or rectangular piece of sheetrock with paper flaps at each edge. The paper flaps should measure 2-1/4 inches from the edge to the plaster area.
  
  
• 6). Take the 10-inch sheetrock putty knife and apply a generous amount of joint compound around the perimeter of the opening in the wall. The area of freshly-applied compound should cover an area that is six inches wider than the cut opening, and joint compound should be spread such that the new layer is only 1/8- to a 1/4-inch thick.
  
  
• 7). Insert the solid part of the patch piece into the opening and spread the paper flanges with the 10-inch sheetrock putty knife until the paper flaps adhere to the fresh joint compound.
  
  
• 8). Add a thin layer of joint compound on top of the paper flaps with the10-inch putty knife and use the same blade to make the area smooth.
  
  
• 9). Let the patch dry. This may take several days.
  
  
• 10
  
  Sand with medium-grit sandpaper and add another thin coat of joint compound using the 10-inch knife.
  
  
• 11
  
  Let the patch dry and repeat the sanding and coating process until the patch is smooth and blends in with the rest of the wall. Add sealer paint and top coat.