How to Repair Drywall Like a Pro – Without Breaking the Bank!

Hey, y’all! Tom the Builder reporting for contractor sensei duty with some good ol’ DIY wisdom. Now, if you’ve ever lived in a house for more than five minutes, you know drywall damage is about as common as a sizzling Texas heatwave. Don't fret, Contractor supplies shows you a FREE guide on how to repair drywall easily, with professional looking results that won't blow your budget or account balance. 

Whether it’s a doorknob-sized dent,  a mysterious hole appears on a wall somewhere inside (kids, pets, and drunk nights the most likely culprit),  or just some wear and tear, fixing drywall isn’t as tough as folks believe it out to be, especially when you got the right tools and building supplies from Contractor Supplies!

So grab your work gloves and let’s get to patchin’!

What You’ll Need to Fix Drywall Yourself (All in one store!)

Drywall Repair is simple and when done right and with the right tools, projects can be completed quickly. Before we start, make sure you have these 7 drywall repair essentials needed to start and complete the job: 

1. Drywall Patches
2. Wall Board Joint Compound or "Mud"
3. Industrial Strength Adhesive Tape
4. Sand Paper Medium Grit and/or Finishing Sanding Block (Aprox. 120 Grit)
5. Putty Knife
6. Utility Knife
7. Paint + Primer

Now, let's review the best option for each material needed to rapair drywall like a pro without breaking bank:

✔️ Drywall Patches - Patches small holes, new panels for those beyond repair.

Ready to tackle those pesky wall blemishes that pop up like dandelions after a spring rain. When it comes to mending small breaks, cracks, and holes, Hyde Wall Repair Drywall Patches are your trusty sidekick. These patches feature a self-adhesive fiberglass mesh that sticks like a charm, eliminating the need for pre-plastering. 

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Product Description:

The perforated aluminum plate provides sturdy coverage without requiring additional backing, making them perfect for patching up walls, ceilings, and even those hollow core doors that seem to attract trouble. Plus, they're rust-resistant, so you won't have to worry about unsightly stains bleeding through your fresh paint job. 

So, next time life throws a curveball at your drywall, grab a Hyde patch and fix it up faster than a jackrabbit on a date.For small holes, you’ll need a patch; for bigger damage, a fresh piece of drywall. You can find inexpensive Hyde Wall Repair Drywall Patches here to fix small breaks, cracks and holes.

For bigger holes and massive damage, go for a whole new drywall replacement panel from your local hardware shop. 

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✔️ Joint Compound (Mud) - Because nobody likes bumpy, uneven walls! 

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Product Description:

Because nobody likes bumpy, uneven walls! We are ready to talk about a real game-changer in the drywall world: DAP Wallboard Joint Compound. This lightweight compound spreads like warm butter on a biscuit, making it a breeze to cover seams and fill those pesky holes. Once it dries, sanding it down is as smooth as a Texas two-step, leaving you with a flawless finish that's ready for priming and painting. - from Amazon Review by citeturn0search5

Now, when you're patching up your wall, you'll want to apply this joint compound over your drywall tape to ensure those seams are tighter than a new boot. Spread a generous layer with your putty knife, feathering out the edges to blend seamlessly with the existing wall. Let it dry thoroughly—patience is key here—before giving it a light sanding to achieve that smooth-as-silk surface. Remember, a well-prepped wall makes for a paint job that'll stick better than grandma's peach cobbler at a Sunday picnic.

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✔️ Drywall Tape – Keeps the seams together like biscuits and gravy. 

When it comes to patchin' up drywall, havin' the right adhesive tape is like havin' a trusty sidekick. Let's talk about two options that'll help you get the job done right.

Top Pick: Pro UGlo Industrial Strength Adhesive Tape 3/4" x 65 ft

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Product Description:

First up is Pro UGlo Industrial Length Drywall Tape, a 3/4-inch wide, 65-foot long roll of clear double-sided adhesive tape. Originally crafted for Hollywood sets to secure props without leaving residue, this tape has made a name for itself in the DIY world. Its aggressive, pressure-sensitive adhesive ensures a firm hold, perfect for securing drywall patches or reinforcing seams. Despite its strong grip, it removes cleanly, leaving no sticky mess behind. While it's a bit pricier, the reliability and length make it a solid investment for both small fixes and larger projects. 

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Budget-Friendly Option: UGlu Adhesive Tape 1" x 5' Roll

If you're lookin' for a more economical choice, the UGlu Adhesive Tape offers a 1-inch wide, 5-foot long roll is perfect for drywall repair of small tears or scrapes. This double-sided tape provides a decent hold for lighter tasks, such as securing smaller drywall patches or temporary fixes. However, for more substantial repairs, you might find its grip less robust compared to Joe's Sticky Stuff. It's a handy option for quick, minor touch-ups without breakin' the bank

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✔️ Sandpaper (120-150 Grit) – Smooth as a paper for a fresh coat of paint. 

There are plenty of options when it comes to sandpaper, from individual sheets to sand manually during at least an hour if you are fixing a small hole. Individual sandpaper sheets of 120-150 grit should do just fine helping you fix up a small dent or hole. 

As an option for those choosing to safe some bucks or simply don’t have the fancy equipment,, you can get a Finishing Sanding Block to help you distribute force and effort for a quicker finish without electric tools. This sanding block kit comes with 6 pieces of 100-120 sandpaper ready to use. You can also buy individual sandpaper sheet and cut to fit the finishing block to re use this affordable tool.

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But if you are working on bigger project, or just don’t have the time or stamina to sand down drywall, I highly recommend using sanding machines as time saving tools that use these premade sandpaper sheets customized to each machine. This 3-1/2 in. 120 Grit Triangle Sandpaper (6 pk) will help make any sanding project seem like a piece of cake.

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✔️ Putty Knife – Helps spread that mud just right. 

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Product Description:

Firstly, let’s focus on the type of putty knife recommended for fix drywall and repair wall panels: you should stick to flexible steel/metal putty knives for better application, durability and flexibility to achieve correct putty application during drywall repair projects. This Purdy Flexible Metal 2” putty knife is the perfect drywall DIY repair tool. The nylon handle is sure to help your grip and precision while lasting you a long time.

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If you are looking for a more professional, durable and versatile tool that works for a variety of projects, get the Hyde 6” Putty Knife, made of Flexible Carbon. This is the best putty knife to help contractors, busy handy men, and DIY masters tackle finishing projects of any size.

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✔️ Utility Knife – For clean cuts, not just opening snack packs. 

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Product Description:

The sturdy Milwaukee Fastback Flip Utility Knife is an amazing tool for any big or small project. Heck, I’d even say it’s the handiest knife around for all you doers and crafters. This knife is perfect to fix drywall for being dangerously sharp and strong to help you clean edges of drywall damage. With an ergonomic design and aluminum handle, this Milwaukee utility knife comes in a 2-pack for all those working with teams or getting the kids to learn how to fix it yourself!

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✔️ Primer & Paint – To make sure it blends in like it never happened.

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Product Description:

Although many professional contractors prefer a quarter gallon of acrylic drywall liquid paint or powerful paint guns, a premium Acrylic Spray Paint is an option when looking for a quick fix to cover minor drywall repairs that saves you time and supplies. This flat white acrylic spray paint is the quick DIY tool to help you finish the job.

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Step-By-Step: Patching Up That Drywall

Step 1: Clean & Cut

First things first – take a good look at the hole. If it’s got jagged edges or loose bits hangin’ off, grab your utility knife and tidy it up. No sense in patchin’ over a mess. If the damage is bigger than a few inches wide, cut a square or rectangle drywall repair patch around it. You want nice, clean edges so your patch fits like a glove. It’s kinda like trimming a brisket – clean cuts make for better results.

If the hole’s rough or jagged, use your utility knife to clean up the edges. If it’s bigger than a few inches, you’ll need to cut out a square or rectangle around the hole to fit a drywall patch. 

Step 2: Secure Your Patch

Now it’s time to fill that hole. For the little fellas (think nail holes or doorknob dings), a self-adhesive drywall patch will do ya just fine. Peel it, stick it, done. For medium-sized holes – maybe where someone got a little too rowdy movin’ furniture – screw a scrap piece of wood behind the hole and attach your drywall patch to that. Gives it a good anchor. 

For the big boys, cut yourself a new piece of drywall, screw it into the wall studs, and make sure it’s snug. You’re not just fixin’ the wall – you’re rebuildin’ its backbone!

So to recap, here are the guidelines according to the drywall damage:

• For small holes, use a self-adhesive drywall patch.

• For medium-sized holes, screw in a piece of wood behind the hole to secure your drywall patch.

• For large holes, you’ll need a fresh drywall panel cut to size, then secured to wall studs.

Step 3: Tape & Mud

Now the fun part – makin’ it pretty. Cover your seams with drywall tape like you’re wrappin’ a birthday gift for someone who really loves smooth walls. Then take your joint compound (a.k.a. mud) and spread it with a putty knife. Think of it like butterin’ up a biscuit – don’t gob it on too thick, just a nice even layer. Let it dry all the way through, then go back and add another light coat if you need to. Sometimes it takes a couple passes to get that baby smoothed out. Ain’t no shame in the layering game.

Apply drywall tape over the seams, then slap on that joint compound with your putty knife. Think of it like butterin’ up a biscuit – smooth and even. Let it dry, then add another thin layer of drywall joint compound if needed. Rinse and repeat after drying on layers until desired look and smoothness is achieved.

Step 4: Sand It Smooth

Once your mud’s dry, it’s time to sand. Use a medium-grit paper and don’t be shy – you want that wall smoother than sweet tea on a summer day. Feather the edges into the rest of the wall so nobody can tell where the patch begins or ends. This step right here separates the handymen from the drywall cowboys. A lumpy patch is like a wrinkled shirt at church – just don’t look right.

Once it’s dry, grab your sandpaper and go to town! Make sure it’s flush with the rest of the wall. Nobody likes a lumpy repair job.

Step 5: Prime & Paint

After you’ve wiped off the dust (I like to use a damp cloth), hit it with a coat of primer. This helps the paint stick and keeps it from lookin’ blotchy. Once the primer dries, match your wall paint and roll it on. Boom! The hole’s gone like last week’s leftovers. If you did it right, nobody’ll ever know it was there – not even your mother-in-law with her eagle eyes.

Wipe off the dust, apply a coat of primer, and let it dry. Then, paint over it to match the rest of the wall. Boom! It’s like the hole never happened.

Save Big on Drywall Supplies at Contractor Supplies!

Fixing drywall is easy when you’ve got the right gear – and even easier when you don’t have to spend a fortune. At ContractorSupplies.com, we’ve got everything you need in bulk, so you’re ready for every job, big or small. Plus, our prices? Let’s just say they’re lower than a snake’s belly in a wagon rut.

So, whether you’re fixing up the family home or handling jobs for your clients, make sure you stock up with us. Your wallet (and your walls) will thank ya!

Happy patchin’ and happy buildin’!

-Tom the Builder

Get all your building materials, hardware goods and at Contractor Supplies.