How to Repair Small Holes in Drywall

Drywall is essentially gypsum board wrapped in paper, making it prone to dents and dings during daily life. Whether it is a rogue doorknob strike or a leftover anchor hole, these small imperfections are easily addressed by anyone with a putty knife and a little patience. The key to a professional finish is not in the patch itself, but in the feathering of the compound to blend seamlessly into the existing wall surface. Done well, the repair should be completely invisible once the wall is painted. The secret is to keep your layers thin and wide; layering on too much compound at once creates a bump that is difficult to sand away. With the right technique, you can make these blemishes disappear in a single afternoon.

  1. Flatten All Rough Edges. Use the handle of your putty knife to lightly push any protruding drywall paper or gypsum into the hole. If there are loose fragments hanging out, carefully trim them away with a utility knife so the area around the hole is perfectly flat.
  2. Stick the Mesh Down. Place a self-adhesive fiberglass mesh patch directly over the hole, pressing firmly so it sticks to the wall. Ensure the patch covers the entire damaged area plus at least an inch of surrounding wall.
  3. Fill Through the Mesh. Scoop a small amount of joint compound onto your putty knife and press it firmly through the mesh. Aim to fill the hole and create a flat surface, extending the compound slightly beyond the edges of the patch.
  4. Sand Level with Wall. Allow the compound to dry completely, which usually takes a few hours. Once dry, lightly sand the area with a fine-grit sanding block until it is level with the wall.
  5. Feather Wide and Smooth. Apply a second, wider layer of joint compound over the area. This time, feather the edges outward significantly to blend the transition between the patch and the existing wall.
  6. Sand and Dust Off. Once the final layer is dry, sand it smooth with fine-grit paper. Wipe the area clean with a slightly damp cloth to remove all dust before you apply your primer and paint.