How to Repair a Hole in Plasterboard (Small to Large)

Match the fix to the hole

Plasterboard is easy to damage and, thankfully, easy to repair. The right method depends entirely on the size of the hole, so start by sizing it up. Below we work from smallest to largest.

Small holes (nail and screw holes)

These are the picture-hook and Command-strip marks that build up over the years.

• Lightly sand around the hole to knock off any raised paper
• Fill with a small amount of lightweight filler using a putty knife
• Let it dry, then sand smooth
• Spot-prime and paint

That's it. A tube of filler will handle dozens of these.

Medium holes (up to about 50mm)

Think doorknob dents and small knocks. These are too big to just fill because there's nothing behind them to hold the compound.

The self-adhesive patch method

1. Clean up the edges and remove any loose paper
2. Stick a self-adhesive mesh patch over the hole
3. Apply joint compound over the patch with a broad knife, feathering the edges outward
4. Let it dry, then apply a second thin coat wider than the first
5. Sand smooth, prime and paint

Feathering wide is the secret. A patch fails when the compound is built up thick and narrow, leaving a visible bump.

Large holes (fist-sized and up)

For anything bigger than a mesh patch can bridge, you need to put new board in.

The offcut plug method

1. Cut the damaged area into a neat square or rectangle
2. Cut a piece of scrap plasterboard slightly larger than the hole
3. Score and snap the back so the front paper overlaps the hole like a flap (or use a timber backing batten)
4. Fix the plug in place, screwing into the batten if you've used one
5. Tape the joints, then apply two to three coats of compound, feathering each wider
6. Sand between coats and finish smooth

If you're using a backing batten, slide it into the hole, screw it to the surrounding board first, then screw your new patch to the batten. It gives you something solid to fix to.

Tools and materials

• Utility knife and a small saw or keyhole saw
• Broad knife (100mm and 150mm)
• Sanding block or sanding sponge
• Lightweight filler for small holes
• Joint compound for larger repairs
• Self-adhesive mesh patch or scrap plasterboard
• Primer and paint

Common mistakes to avoid

• Skipping primer. Bare compound soaks up paint differently and flashes through as a dull patch.
• Sanding too hard. You'll scuff the surrounding paper and create more work.
• One thick coat. Multiple thin, feathered coats always beat one heavy one.
• Ignoring what's behind the wall. Before cutting a large hole, check for pipes or wiring.

The Melbourne factor

Older Melbourne homes sometimes have lath-and-plaster or solid plaster walls rather than modern plasterboard, and those need a slightly different approach. If you tap the wall and it feels solid rather than hollow, you may be dealing with traditional plaster, which is worth getting a pro to look at.

For a truly invisible finish, especially on a feature wall or in good light, the plastering and sanding is where skill shows. If you'd rather not chase a perfect flat finish, MB Handymen & Carpentry can patch, sand and repaint the area so it disappears into the wall. Happy to bundle a few patch repairs into the one visit.