How to Repair Drywall Yourself, According to Construction Experts

If years of rearranging wall art have left your walls dotted with tiny holes, you might be wondering if you can fix the drywall yourself. The good news: you can. We spoke with construction experts to break down how to repair different types of drywall damage—from small holes to larger cracks and dents—and when it’s best to call in a professional.

Drywall Repair Techniques (by Level of Damage)

Whether due to an accidentally slammed door or a change in décor, holes in a home's drywall are common, and filling them is a familiar maintenance task. "Wall insulation work means cutting into drywall constantly," says home maintenance expert Uri Pearl. "We punch holes in walls for a living, so we have gotten very good at making them disappear."

Your method of drywall repair will largely depend on the type of damage at hand. Remember to always wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including a dust mask when sanding.

For Patching Small Holes

For small holes (nail pops, doorknob strikes, or anything under about 4 inches), Pearl suggests skipping those mesh patch kits from the hardware store whenever possible. Instead, he recommends the "California patch" method for repairing drywall: "Score the drywall and use the paper backing as your tape," instructs Pearl. "It holds better and feathers out cleaner."

For Fixing Cracks in the Wall

Cracks in drywall are fairly easy to fix, says Nathan Mendel, founder and president at M&C Construction. "You need to deepen the crack slightly with a knife so the new material bonds better inside," he says.

After deepening the crack, clean the area of any dust. Then, you'll reach for joint compound, or "drywall mud," a plaster-like material used to seal drywall. "Apply a thin layer of joint compound and lay drywall tape on top, carefully pressing it into the wet layer with a putty knife," says Mendel. "This tape helps hold the joint together and helps prevent cracks from reappearing."

After that, remove the excess material with a putty knife so that the tape is flush with the surface. Allow the layer to dry completely. “Once dry, apply one or two more thin layers of joint compound, each wider than the previous one, so the transition to the wall surface blends in,” Mendel says. “When the material is completely dry, you can begin sanding.”

For Repairing Dents in the Drywall

When it comes to dents in the drywall, Mendel recommends using a utility knife to cut away the damaged top layer of drywall, about one-half to three-fourths inch around the dent. “Use a brush to thoroughly sweep away any dust and drywall dust from the damaged area,” he says. “Apply primer to the exposed [plaster] and the edges of the damage and let it dry. Then, fill the damaged area with joint compound or spackle using a putty knife that’s wider than the repair area.”  Drying time will be listed on the packaging.

Take careful note of it so as not to sand the wall prematurely, ruining your hard work. "Once it’s fully dry, sand the repaired area with fine-grit sandpaper using a sanding block," Mendel says, "so the transition between the repaired area and the rest of the surface is seamless."

When to Call a Professional

Pearl suggests calling a construction professional when the damage to the drywall is larger than about 6 inches across. You should also seek the advice of a pro if you see soft or crumbling drywall (suggesting moisture behind the wall), or recurring cracks. “These can point to larger issues,”  says Manny Kavouklis, president of CMK Construction Inc., “such as foundation settling or structural problems.”

Consider leaving it to a professional, too, if the repair is in a high-visibility area, such as a dining room or entryway. Here, a bad finish or muddy coat will always catch the wrong light.