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How To Fix a Hole In Any Wall In - or Out - of Your Waterloo Region Home



It happens all the time. Interior and exterior walls can be damaged in a variety of ways, prompting repair, especially if you are planning to sell your Waterloo Region home.


Interior walls might be composed of drywall or plaster. You might need to fix a concrete wall outside, but whatever type of wall you need to fix, we've got you covered. And, no matter what material the wall is constructed of, repairs can be made discreetly, and the task can usually be completed quickly.


How to Fix a Hole in a Drywall Wall


What You'll Need



How It's Done


Remove any loose debris from the hole first. Remove the jagged drywall around the hole's edges.


Apply the patch to the hole, centering it. Smooth it down firmly all the way around the edges.


Apply a coat of joint compound to the patch, including the edges, with the knife. It should only be thick enough to completely cover the patch.


Allow to dry before sanding. Apply and allow a second coat of compound to dry before applying a third.


Sand the repair again until it's smooth, and the edges are flush with the wall.


To eliminate dust, wipe with a moist cloth and allow to dry.


The wall should be primed first, then touched up with paint.


How to Fix a Hole in a Plaster Wall


What You'll Need


  • Hammer and chisel

  • Trowel

  • Plaster bonding agent

  • Plaster

  • Plastering trowel

  • Joint compound

  • Fine-grit sandpaper


How It's Done


Use the hammer and chisel to remove loose and damaged plaster. Make sure you work carefully to avoid damaging the lath – the wood structure behind the plaster.


Using a trowel, coat the lath with plaster base coat. Work the base coat into the spaces in between the wood as well. Then fill the hole with base coat until it’s flush with the old plaster and smooth with the trowel. Leave to dry.


Brush a plaster bonding agent on to the base coat and the old plaster surrounding it. Apply nylon mesh tape at the joint between the base coat and existing plaster.


Use a plastering trowel to apply plaster over the wall and the tape.


Once the plaster is set, sand carefully to smooth the finish.


Apply a coat of joint compound, then allow to dry. Apply a second coat.


Once it’s dry, sand the surface smooth blending the edges with the original plaster of the wall first then working from the center of the patch.


Use a damp cloth to remove any dust and, when the wall is dry, prime than paint.


How To Fix a Hole in a Plasterboard Wall


What You'll Need


  • Cable, pipe and stud detector

  • Craft knife

  • Tape measure

  • Offcut of plasterboard

  • Drill

  • String

  • Filller

  • Filling knife

  • Medium-grade sandpaper


How It's Done


Check the area around the hole using a cable, pipe and stud detector. Tidy the edges of the hole using a craft knife.


Measure the dimensions of the hole then, from the plasterboard offcut, cut a piece that fits through the hole but is slightly larger than it.


Drill the plasterboard patch, making a hole just big enough for a piece of string to fit through, and thread the hole with string. Tie the string at the back.


Apply filler to the front edge of the patch. Push the patch through the hole holding the string.


Filler side towards you, use the string to hold the patch in place, then use more filler in the hole. Tie the string to a timber offcut to hold the patch in place as the filler sets. Cut the string when the filler is set.


You may need to add an additional layer of filler if it shrinks. If so, lightly sand first before applying the second coat.


How To Fix a Hole in a Concrete Wall


What You'll Need


  • Dust mask

  • Safety googles

  • Putty knife

  • Wire brush

  • Rubber or latex gloves

  • Bonding agent

  • Brush

  • Mortar mix

  • Trowel


How It's Done


Wearing a mask and googles, move loose debris from the hole using the putty knife. Then clean it out thoroughly with the wire brush.


Using a brush and wearing gloves, apply bonding agent to the back and sides of the hole.


Make up the mortar mix according to the manufacturer’s instructions.


Use a trowel to apply the mortar to the hole, working at the sides first, then into the center. Layer the mortar until the hole is filled, then smooth with the trowel to level with the surrounding concrete.


Mortar needs to be allowed to cure and requires moisture, so allow it to set for around 2 hours, then cover the patch with a sheet of plastic. Remove the plastic in order to sprinkle with water daily over the next few days as the mortar cures. You’ll need to check the manufacturer’s instructions to find out how long this takes.


While all of this is fairly simple for those who don't mind a little DIY, there's no shame in hiring a handyman to do the work for you, and it may be the best idea when you need your home to look its best when it makes its debut on the Waterloo Region housing market!


Getting ready to sell your Waterloo Region home, or buy a new one? Let Team Pinto use our huge experience and expertise to help you. Contact the award-winning Team Pinto here, or book a free Zoom consultation to discuss your unique Waterloo Region real estate needs here.







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