Easy Wall Repair Step by Step

How Do You Fix a Hole in Your Wall? A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Holes in walls happen. Doorknobs, furniture, kids, and random accidents. For a deeper dive into all types of wall damage, see our complete drywall repair guide leave marks. The good news: most wall repairs are genuinely easy, even if you’ve never done one before. A trip to the hardware store and 30 minutes of work is all it takes for most small to medium repairs.

Here’s a no-nonsense walkthrough.

Key Takeaways

• Small holes (nail size to quarter size) take about 15 minutes and cost under $10
• Medium holes (up to fist-sized) use a mesh patch and take about an hour plus drying time
• The most important step is letting each coat dry completely before moving on
• Always prime before painting to avoid a visible patch

What Do You Need?

For most small to medium repairs, you need:

Spackle or joint compound ($5 to $8), a putty knife or two (a 2-inch and a 6-inch), sandpaper (150-grit and 220-grit), primer ($5 to $8 for a small can), and matching paint. For medium holes, add a self-adhesive drywall mesh patch ($3 to $5).

Total cost for most repairs: $15 to $25 in materials.

Fixing Small Holes (Nail Holes, Screw Holes, Small Dings)

Step 1: Clean the area. Remove any loose material or paint chips around the hole. If there’s a nail or screw still in place, remove it or drive it slightly below the surface.

Step 2: Apply spackle. Load a small amount onto the edge of your putty knife. Press it firmly into the hole, filling it completely. Scrape the excess flush with the wall in one smooth motion.

Step 3: Let it dry. Spackle typically dries in 1 to 2 hours. It may shrink slightly, which is normal.

Step 4: Sand smooth. Lightly sand with 220-grit sandpaper until the patch is flush and smooth. Run your hand over it. If you can feel the edge of the patch, sand a bit more.

Step 5: Apply a second coat if needed. If there’s a slight depression after sanding, apply one more thin coat, let it dry, and sand again.

Step 6: Prime and paint. Apply primer over the patched area. Once dry, paint to match.

Fixing Medium Holes (Golf Ball to Fist-Sized)

Step 1: Clean the damage. Remove any crumbling or loose drywall around the edges. Create a clean, stable perimeter.

Step 2: Apply the mesh patch. Peel the backing off a self-adhesive drywall mesh patch and center it over the hole. Press the edges firmly against the wall. The mesh gives the compound something to grip.

Step 3: Apply the first coat of joint compound. Using a 6-inch taping knife, spread compound over the entire patch. Extend about 2 inches beyond the edges of the mesh on all sides. Keep it thin. This is not the final coat.

Step 4: Let it dry completely. In Florida’s humidity, this may take 12 to 24 hours. The compound should be uniformly light in color with no dark spots.

Step 5: Sand lightly. Knock down any ridges or high spots with 150-grit sandpaper. Don’t go too aggressive. You just want a smooth base for the next coat.

Step 6: Apply a second coat. Spread compound again, this time extending further beyond the edges. Feather the compound so the edges are paper-thin. This is what makes the repair invisible.

Step 7: Dry, sand, and evaluate. After drying and sanding, check the surface. If it’s smooth and flush with the wall, you’re done with compound. If there are low spots, apply one more thin coat.

Step 8: Prime and paint. Prime the entire repaired area, let it dry, and paint to match.

Pro Tips That Make a Real Difference

Don’t rush the drying. The number one mistake is applying the next coat before the previous one is fully dry. In Florida, be especially patient. Point a fan at the repair to speed things up.

Keep your putty knife clean. Dried bits of compound on the blade create drag marks in your fresh coat. Wipe the blade after every few strokes.

Thin coats, not thick. Three thin coats will always look better than one thick coat. Our guide to getting a smooth, professional finish covers the technique in detail. Thick applications crack, shrink, and create bumps.

Prime before painting. Every time. Bare compound absorbs paint differently than the surrounding wall. Without primer, the patch will show as a different sheen or color.

For touch-up painting, do the full wall. Don’t let small damage sit and grow into a much bigger repair. If the paint color has faded at all (and in Florida’s sun, it probably has), touching up just the patch will leave a visible spot. Rolling a full wall section from corner to corner gives a clean, uniform finish.

Common Questions

Can I use toothpaste to fill nail holes?
In a pinch, yes. White toothpaste can temporarily fill a small nail hole. But it shrinks, cracks, and doesn’t accept paint well. For a repair that lasts, use actual spackle.

What if the hole is near a corner?
Corner repairs are a bit trickier because you need to feather compound on one plane without building up the adjacent wall. Use a corner trowel or work one side at a time, letting each side dry before doing the other. Our DIY vs. pro guide can help you decide when to handle it yourself.

How do I match the paint color?
If you still have the original paint, stir it well and test on an inconspicuous spot (paint can settle and shift color over time). If not, most paint stores can color-match from a chip. Cut a small piece from behind an outlet cover or from inside a closet for the most accurate match.

What We Do and What We Don’t Do

Best Bay Services handles: drywall patching (all sizes), texture matching, priming and painting, nail pop repairs, and wall maintenance across the Tampa Bay area, including Valrico, Brandon, Riverview, and Tampa.

We don’t do: full room drywall installation, structural work, or mold remediation. For those, we’ll refer you to a specialist.

Got holes and dings piling up? Best Bay Services patches and paints so your walls look right. Get a free estimate.