Drywall Repair Guides

If you've owned a home for more than a few months, you've probably got drywall damage somewhere. Maybe it's a doorknob hole from an enthusiastic door opener. Maybe it's nail pops that keep showing up no matter how many times you paint over them. Maybe water got somewhere it shouldn't have. Whatever the problem, drywall repair is one of those skills that pays for itself the first time you use it.

I've been patching, taping, and mudding for fifteen years now, starting with a disastrous first attempt at filling a doorknob hole with spackle (spoiler: spackle is not for holes that size). Along the way, I've learned which techniques actually work, which tools are worth buying, and which mistakes will make you tear out your work and start over. These guides share everything I've figured out, including the embarrassing failures that taught me the most.

Most drywall repairs fall into three categories: small holes and dings that just need filling, medium holes that need a patch, and larger damage that requires cutting out sections and replacing them. The good news is that none of these are particularly difficult once you understand the basic principles. The bad news is that everyone seems to learn those principles by messing up their first few attempts. Hopefully these guides help you skip some of that.

What You'll Find Here

These repair guides cover the most common issues homeowners face. I focus on practical, DIY-friendly methods that don't require professional tools or years of experience. Each guide explains not just how to do the repair, but why the technique works, what can go wrong, and when you might want to call in a professional instead.