How to Repair a Hole in Textured Drywall

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Spraying texture in a can on drywall repair to blend with surrounding wall.

To repair a large hole in textured drywall:

1. Cut the hole into a square shape with a drywall saw.
2. Screw 1×4 blocking to the inside of the hole with drywall screws, so the blocking overlaps the hole.
3. Use a drywall or putty knife to cover the seams in the patch with joint compound.
4. Embed drywall tape over the seams, pressing it in the wet joint compound with a drywall or putty knife.
5. Allow the joint compound to dry overnight.
6. Apply one or more additional coats of joint compound until the patch and drywall tape are well covered.
7. Sand the joint compound smooth with the surrounding wall.
8. Apply drywall spray can texture to the smooth patch, and allow it to dry.
9. Prime the patch with latex wall primer.
10. Apply two coats of wall paint to the wall.

Watch this video to find out more.

Further Information

• Repairing a Hole in a Textured Popcorn Ceiling (article)
• How to Repair Small Holes in Drywall (article)
• How to Repair Damaged Drywall (video)
• How to Repair a Popped Nail in Drywall (video)

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A hole in drywall that’s larger than the head of a nail requires more repair than just the application of some spackling. For larger holes you can cut out the hole into a regular shape, like a square, then cut a new piece of drywall to the same size and shape for the patch.

To install the patch, you’ll need to install a couple of pieces of blocking, like one by twos, into the hole and attach them with drywall screws, so that half of the block is visible in the hole. This will support the patch, and allow you to screw it to the blocking.

Next, you’ll cover the seams with drywall joint compound and press drywall tape into it. After several additional coats of joint compound, and a little sanding, the repair will be smooth.

For smaller holes you can buy a self adhesive patch, that’s reinforced with wire mesh, to cover the hole before applying several coats of joint compound and sanding. In either case the repaired are will be smooth, which will be a problem if you have textured walls. This texture, often called orange peel, helps hide flaws in the drywall.

The solution is to treat the repair area with texture in a can. Test the spray first on a scrap piece of cardboard, so that you can match the texture of your walls. Then apply it to the patch, using a random pattern and slightly overlapping the adjacent area. Once it dries you’re ready for paint, and no one will be the wiser.