How to Patch and Repair Drywall

Drive in the popped nail.

Cover the sunken screw head and nail head with spackling compound until level with the wall surface. Wait 24 hours or the time recommended in the manufacturer’s instructions. Sand smooth.

Use a drywall knife to cover the patch with spackling compound or lightweight joint compound in a crisscross pattern, feathering the edges so it blends with the wall. To feather the edge, increase pressure and angle on the drywall knife as you reach the outer edges of the patch area to minimize, or thin, the compound on the drywall.

Let the patch dry and apply a second coat of compound if needed. Sand smooth.

Score the back of the drywall with a utility knife about an inch from each side.

Snap off the gypsum, but leave the paper backing intact.

Hold the patch over the hole and trace around the gypsum square. Don't include the paper border in your transfer. Cut out the traced square with a drywall saw.

Apply joint compound to the back of the paper border. Fit the gypsum into the new hole and press the paper edges coated with joint compound into place along the outside edge of the hole.

Cover the entire patch with joint compound until the lines are camouflaged, feathering the edges.

This patch may require two coats of compound, with dry time in between coats. Sand smooth.

Hold the square over the hole in the drywall and trace around the edges.

Cut along the lines on the wall with a drywall saw.

Inside the hole, attach a furring strip, a small, thin piece of wood, to either side of the hole with screws. Sink the screws beneath the surface of the drywall.

Set the drywall patch in place and screw it into the furring strips, sinking the screws beneath the surface of the drywall.

Apply joint tape to the borders of the patch, centering the tape on the seams. Joint tape is made of mesh and strengthens the bond between the patch and the wall, reducing movement and helping to prevent future cracks.

Cover the patch and tape with joint compound, feathering the edges. Allow the compound to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply a second coat if needed. Sand smooth.  Touch up with paint.

Use a utility knife to cut vertically along the drywall, connecting the top and bottom cuts from the hack saw on the left and right sides. Remove the damaged piece.

Cut a new piece of corner bead to fill the gap and attach it to the wall with nails or the manufacturer’s recommended fastener or adhesive.

Apply joint compound to both sides of the corner, covering the bead patch to smooth rough edges and cover any seams, feathering the edges. Let dry and sand smooth.

Cover with a coat of primer, and let dry.

Finish with paint.

Flick the mixture onto the wall by running a gloved finger across the surface of the bristles. Typically, the faster the flicking motion the smaller the particles on the wall.

For a knock-down finish -- one where a trowel presses joint compound down to form a texture that's more mottled than a flat wall -- lightly flatten the particles with a knife as the compound mixture begins to dry.

As an alternative to flicking compound, you can use textured spray in a variety of finishes. Shake the can and spray the patch area in a circular motion 6-18 inches from the wall.

Allow the textured compound to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then prime and paint the surface.