How To Fix A Dent In Drywall

How To Fix A Dent In Drywall

If you have a small dent in your drywall, fixing it is very easy. 

Even if you don’t have much home improvement experience, this is still something you can DIY.

Here’s what to do.

Supplies to Fix a Dent in Drywall

How to Find a Dent in Drywall: Step by Step

How to Find a Dent in Drywall

Step 1: Prepare the Surface

If there’s any frayed paper around the drywall dent, gently peel it off. Then, wipe the wall with a clean rag, so no dirt or grime is left behind.

Step 2: Apply Spackle

Place a little spackle on your drywall knife and smooth it over the dented area, holding your drywall knife at a 45-degree angle. Once you have a light coating on the wall, allow it to dry thoroughly.

Note: If your dent is greater than one inch wide or deep, you’ll need to add mesh tape before applying the spackle. This will help reinforce the repairs.

Step 3: Sand Smooth

After about 24 hours, your spackle will be fully dry. 

Once dry, take your sanding sponge and lightly go over the spackle using circular motions. After the wall is smooth, wipe away the dust with a clean, lint-free cloth.

Step 4: Inspect

Now, inspect the wall. If the dent is covered and the wall is smooth and flat you can prime and paint.

If the spackle shrunk, has cracks, or divots, apply another thin layer, wait for it to dry, and sand again.

As long as your dent isn’t huge, one to two layers of spackle should be sufficient.

How to Fix a Large Dent in Drywall

How to Fix a Large Dent in Drywall

If you have a large dent in your drywall or a dent and a hole, you’ll need to use a patch. You can find patch kits that contain everything you need, or you can purchase a patch, spackling, a drywall knife, and a sanding sponge separately.

Step 1: Place Your Patch On the Wall

Start by cutting the patch to size and placing it on the wall. Most patches are self-adhesive so they’ll stick right on.

Step 2: Add 1-2 Thin Coats of Spackle

After the patch is on the wall, use your drywall knife to add a thin coat of spackling or joint compound. Feather out your edges so that the farther from the dent you get, the thinner the spackle is.

Allow the compound to fully dry, and then add a second thin coat.

Step 3: Sand Smooth

Now take your sanding sponge and go over the spackle using circular motions. Knock down any high ridges and sand until the wall is smooth and flush.

Step 4: Prime and Paint

You can now add primer and paint over the area you just patched.

Final Thoughts

Minor drywall dents are very easy to repair. All they require is a little bit of spackle and a sanding sponge.

If your dent is larger than an inch in diameter, consider adding some fiberglass mesh tape for extra support.