How to repair plasterboard

Plasterboard has been commonly used on stud and partition walls since the 1950s. It's simply a layer of hardened plaster sandwiched between two layers of paper. There are two main methods to repairing it (depending on the size of the hole or crack) which are detailed below.

Level of difficulty

Level 2: Intermediate

What you need

  • Mesh tape
  • Joint compound
  • Drywall knife
  • Plasterboards
  • Saw
  • Furring strips
  • Plaster

The steps to follow

Repairing a small hole in plasterboard walls

  1. Patch the damaged area with a self adhesive repair patch or crisscross the hole with layers of mesh tape.
  2. Spread a layer of joint compound to the taped area.
  3. Let the compound dry and apply a second layer of joint compound.
  4. Smooth the area with fine grade sandpaper.

Repairing a large hole in plasterboard walls

  1. Measure and cut a plasterboard patch. The plasterboard patch will need to be a little bit bigger than the actual damaged area.
  2. Cut out the damaged area with a saw.
  3. Nail furring strips to the plasterboard wall inside the hole.
  4. Next put the plasterboard patch against the strips and secure the patch with screws.
  5. Spread a layer of joint compound around the patch.
  6. Apply mesh tape on the newly patched area.
  7. Spread another layer of joint compound with a drywall knife.
  8. Let it dry before you start plastering the plasterboard wall.

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