Stuffing my hole

[Sinny]

Just a creative title for a drywall repair thread. The child successfully put his knee through the drywall during a very stunning and near-perfect home run slide down my longest hallway. He made the funniest sound when he made contact followed by, "Mom, I made a perfect hole the exact size of my knee." It was hilarious.

I am about to repair it like I have done for so many other holes he has made, but this time I come to you for advice.

I usually use spackle to fill the hole, but is what I am doing the best way to repair it? I let the spackle dry, then sand, then another layer, if needed, to fill in the hole. Then I use texture spray to try and match it to the texture on the walls. That is where things seem to go wrong. I paint over it and it is noticeably repaired, some of the surface under the texture appears shiny. I own my home and won't be moving anytime soon, so it's not imperative that it look perfect, but I would like to make it look better.

Do you have any methods that are good to match up the texture spray or make the drywall repair look a little less obvious? What am I doing wrong?

 

[bronzeage]

Just a creative title for a drywall repair thread. The child successfully put his knee through the drywall during a very stunning and near-perfect home run slide down my longest hallway. He made the funniest sound when he made contact followed by, "Mom, I made a perfect hole the exact size of my knee." It was hilarious.

I am about to repair it like I have done for so many other holes he has made, but this time I come to you for advice.

I usually use spackle to fill the hole, but is what I am doing the best way to repair it? I let the spackle dry, then sand, then another layer, if needed, to fill in the hole. Then I use texture spray to try and match it to the texture on the walls. That is where things seem to go wrong. I paint over it and it is noticeably repaired, some of the surface under the texture appears shiny. I own my home and won't be moving anytime soon, so it's not imperative that it look perfect, but I would like to make it look better.

Do you have any methods that are good to match up the texture spray or make the drywall repair look a little less obvious? What am I doing wrong?

You won't be able to recreate the eggshell texture without the spray equipment which originally sprayed the wall. You maybe able to avoid the shiny problem.

Instead of filling the hole with spackle, cut a patch from a piece of drywall. Cement it in place with sheetrock mud and cover the seams with drywall tape and more sheet rock mud.

 

[remy_lebeau8]

They make a drywall patch that is like a mesh material. I dont remember off hand how to use it, but I believe you use drywall mud to stick the mesh in place, and then cover it in patching compound. Sand and paint.

This all depends on the hole. Some spackle or patching compound would probably work if its a small hole or a crack or something.

 

[Sinny]

You won't be able to recreate the eggshell texture without the spray equipment which originally sprayed the wall. You maybe able to avoid the shiny problem.

Instead of filling the hole with spackle, cut a patch from a piece of drywall. Cement it in place with sheetrock mud and cover the seams with drywall tape and more sheet rock mud.

Ok, that's INTERESTING. I have thought about doing that, but I recall Bob Villa writing that you need to cut the drywall to the studs so you can screw in the replacement piece. That seems a bit much, I like your idea better. But is there a size at which you would not use a replacement piece of drywall? Maybe a hole over six or seven inches? Or do you think I could safely replace a piece that size?

I knew you would have good thoughts on this. My media cabinet sits level because of your tip with the matchsticks a few years ago.

 

[remy_lebeau8]

Ok, that's INTERESTING. I have thought about doing that, but I recall Bob Villa writing that you need to cut the drywall to the studs so you can screw in the replacement piece. That seems a bit much, I like your idea better. But is there a size at which you would not use a replacement piece of drywall? Maybe a hole over six or seven inches? Or do you think I could safely replace a piece that size?

I knew you would have good thoughts on this. My media cabinet sits level because of your tip with the matchsticks a few years ago.

If your gonna go that route, you would probably want to cut the hole square for an easier fit. Much easier to cut a square piece of drywall vs a circle or some weird shape. I havent had to patch a hole yet, but going off of how my buddy said he was patching his anger holes when he moved out of his apartment.

 

[neci]

i've used a drywall patch before, but it still looks a little funky in that spot, plus, it's not as strong if you fear another knee.

 

[Sean]

If your gonna go that route, you would probably want to cut the hole square for an easier fit. Much easier to cut a square piece of drywall vs a circle or some weird shape. I havent had to patch a hole yet, but going off of how my buddy said he was patching his anger holes when he moved out of his apartment.

Beat me to it. Square off the hole, cut the piece of plasterboard about a millimetre bigger all round, wedge it in. Superglue works pretty well. Quick smear of joint filler over the edges.

 

[remy_lebeau8]

Beat me to it. Square off the hole, cut the piece of plasterboard about a millimetre bigger all round, wedge it in. Superglue works pretty well. Quick smear of joint filler over the edges.

would probably still tape it though, just not the self sticking drywall tape. That shit peels after a few years and looks like shit

 

[Sean]

would probably still tape it though, just not the self sticking drywall tape. That shit peels after a few years and looks like shit

Yeah, the mesh stuff works fine if you slap a bit of filler over it. I spent the best part of a year labouring for a gang of plasterers back in the day. Physically, it's the hardest I've ever worked in my life.

 

[MonaLittle]

I do not have advice but love this story. I also love that you can see the humor in the mishap. Good for you!

 

[remy_lebeau8]

Yeah, the mesh stuff works fine if you slap a bit of filler over it. I spent the best part of a year labouring for a gang of plasterers back in the day. Physically, it's the hardest I've ever worked in my life.

Ya I've hung drywall and it is physically demanding, but it doesn't beat shoveling scrap steel in the basement of a stamping plant...talk about a sore back.

 

[Sean]

Ya I've hung drywall and it is physically demanding, but it doesn't beat shoveling scrap steel in the basement of a stamping plant...talk about a sore back.

It's not the slabbing that kills you, it's the running up stairs with a bucket of muck in each hand keeping two good plasterers supplied. Money was good, though.

 

[Sinny]

Beat me to it. Square off the hole, cut the piece of plasterboard about a millimetre bigger all round, wedge it in. Superglue works pretty well. Quick smear of joint filler over the edges.

Oh, I have used those before for really small holes, I wonder how big you can go with those? I have three holes to repair, ranging from 3 to about 6 inches. Two are up high (from a curtain rod that I did not properly anchor and fell out of the fucking wall... I fixed that problem), so not imperative those look perfect. The knee hole, however, is in a really obvious location.

i've used a drywall patch before, but it still looks a little funky in that spot, plus, it's not as strong if you fear another knee.

I fear the knee all over my house - although he is an active kid, he rarely breaks stuff. When he gets bigger, I think that might be a problem.

 

[Sean]

Oh, I have used those before for really small holes, I wonder how big you can go with those? I have three holes to repair, ranging from 3 to about 6 inches. Two are up high (from a curtain rod that I did not properly anchor and fell out of the fucking wall... I fixed that problem), so not imperative those look perfect. The knee hole, however, is in a really obvious location.

Studs are normally 14" apart over here so anything over 10" or so it's actually easier to just cut it back to the stud.

 

[Squibbs]

Ok, that's INTERESTING. I have thought about doing that, but I recall Bob Villa writing that you need to cut the drywall to the studs so you can screw in the replacement piece. That seems a bit much, I like your idea better. But is there a size at which you would not use a replacement piece of drywall? Maybe a hole over six or seven inches? Or do you think I could safely replace a piece that size?

I knew you would have good thoughts on this. My media cabinet sits level because of your tip with the matchsticks a few years ago.

Do this.

Just as much work as what bronze suggested, but it will be straight and solid.

 

[remy_lebeau8]

Oh, I have used those before for really small holes, I wonder how big you can go with those? I have three holes to repair, ranging from 3 to about 6 inches. Two are up high (from a curtain rod that I did not properly anchor and fell out of the fucking wall... I fixed that problem), so not imperative those look perfect. The knee hole, however, is in a really obvious location.


I fear the knee all over my house - although he is an active kid, he rarely breaks stuff. When he gets bigger, I think that might be a problem.

Seans solution would probably be best. square off the hole, push in the piece of drywall. Put some mud on the seams and cover with drywall tape. Mud over tape let dry and sand/paint. Sounds like you know what you're doing already though. I dont know which would blend the best but that is my guess.

 

[Sinny]

I do not have advice but love this story. I also love that you can see the humor in the mishap. Good for you!

We have a rule in our house that you cannot get angry if a heartfelt apology is given for a misdeed. He felt really badly about the hole after he got over the marvel of it being a perfect imprint of his knee. I took pictures because he was right. It was badass and perfect. I gave him the mom lecture about the potential for injury, of course.

The "can't get mad" rule works both ways. Last night, I was trying to clear out his text inbox on his phone and accidentally deleted all his texts. He was mad until I started with the apologies. We both are very forgiving. So long as the apology is real.

 

[MonaLittle]

We have a rule in our house that you cannot get angry if a heartfelt apology is given for a misdeed. He felt really badly about the hole after he got over the marvel of it being a perfect imprint of his knee. I took pictures because he was right. It was badass and perfect. I gave him the mom lecture about the potential for injury, of course.

The "can't get mad" rule works both ways. Last night, I was trying to clear out his text inbox on his phone and accidentally deleted all his texts. He was mad until I started with the apologies. We both are very forgiving. So long as the apology is real.

I Absolutely Love this.

I hope you have an amazing holiday, Sinny. Merry Christmas to you and your son and your B/F

 

[Sinny]

Studs are normally 14" apart over here so anything over 10" or so it's actually easier to just cut it back to the stud.

My house has about 12 inches between studs. I know this from hanging artwork and using a stud finder on just about every wall in my house. I have a fancy studfinder that makes ring tones. It's probably only used by women because I think men are required by man law to use the knocking method.

Do this.

Just as much work as what bronze suggested, but it will be straight and solid.

Duly noted. For the knee zone area, this is what I will do.

 

[Sean]

My house has about 12 inches between studs. I know this from hanging artwork and using a stud finder on just about every wall in my house. I have a fancy studfinder that makes ring tones. It's probably only used by women because I think men are required by man law to use the knocking method.



Duly noted. For the knee zone area, this is what I will do.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Screw. Bollocks! Tap. Tap. Tap...

 

[thør]

If you don't want to go all the way to the studs, you can put some 1x material on the back side of the hole, after it's cut out and screw it to the sheetrock. It will make a nice backer for the new piece of rock. Mud, tape and sand, as appropriate. You can get some spray texture in a can to see if you can match the wall. It's an art to match texture, but most folk can get close.

The cool thing is, you can have the boy do a lot of this chore. A learning experience.

 

[Wat_Tyler]

You can use this method:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB-2RX94FEg


It's quick, it's easy, and it will work on holes larger than what they say. Try to keep the patch piece in the center close to the size of the cleaned up hole in the wall. A couple of passes with some joint compound (available in small lots too) and you're ready to paint.


For the texture, you can experiment with some compound and brushes. For the popcorn look, I have cut some compound with water, dipped a brush into it, and then flung it at the patched area to get it similar to what's a round it.


Good luck, and be creative.

 

[LiFeNdEaTh]

You won't be able to recreate the eggshell texture without the spray equipment which originally sprayed the wall. You maybe able to avoid the shiny problem.

Instead of filling the hole with spackle, cut a patch from a piece of drywall. Cement it in place with sheetrock mud and cover the seams with drywall tape and more sheet rock mud.

^ what he said

 

[warrior queen]

I also have an active child, and have found the best way to make a repair not quite so obvious is to repaint/resurface the entire section of wall once the repair is done.

 

[Sinny]

If you don't want to go all the way to the studs, you can put some 1x material on the back side of the hole, after it's cut out and screw it to the sheetrock. It will make a nice backer for the new piece of rock. Mud, tape and sand, as appropriate. You can get some spray texture in a can to see if you can match the wall. It's an art to match texture, but most folk can get close.

The cool thing is, you can have the boy do a lot of this chore. A learning experience.

He loves tools, great idea.

You can use this method:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB-2RX94FEg


It's quick, it's easy, and it will work on holes larger than what they say. Try to keep the patch piece in the center close to the size of the cleaned up hole in the wall. A couple of passes with some joint compound (available in small lots too) and you're ready to paint.


For the texture, you can experiment with some compound and brushes. For the popcorn look, I have cut some compound with water, dipped a brush into it, and then flung it at the patched area to get it similar to what's a round it.


Good luck, and be creative.

Cool, thanks for the link. I have the more modern eggshell texture, but I will give that a shot. Couldn't look worse than it does.