California Drywall Patch

comments (10) September 2nd, 2009 in Blogs, Project Gallery

MDFContracting, member

Cut a piece of drywall a few inches bigger than the hole in each dimension

Score the back side of the drywall to the actual size of the hole. Snap and peel away the waste pieces, being careful to make sure there is no bits of gypsum left clinging to the paper. You should be left with a piece the size of the hole with at least an inch of extra paper all the way around.

Mud around the hole and load the patch with mud around the edges. Be generous.

Put the patch in the hole and smooth out the paper the same way you would tape, except work from the middle towards the outside. Pulling your knife across the patch will wrinkle the paper. Let dry, two more coats, and youre done. Works great for anything 12x12 and under, no backing nessecary. Especially good for thicker or double drywall, even lath & plaster!

Cut a piece of drywall a few inches bigger than the hole in each dimension

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As a renovator, I often patch small holes in drywall and learned of this method from a great taper I work with. For round holes, (moving an octagon box) take the pilot bit out of your 4 inch hole saw and stand on the board, guiding the saw with the inside edges of your boots. Be sure not to go all the way through! Score the paper the same way, snap and peel, and yer off to the races.

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Comments (10)

seacoast76 writes: Unless the patch is in a really tight area to work, I still personally prefer a backer cleat of strapping and cut a piece of drywall to fit. Just as fast and easy in my book.

But still a good patch to use now and again though.
Posted: 8:11 pm on December 17th

Bill110643 writes: GONNA HAVE TO TRY IT,BE BACK TO YA!
Bill10643
Posted: 7:19 pm on November 29th

jross56922 writes: funny thing while viewing the show "Ask this Old House" Tom showed this trick and called it the "butterfly patch". Not a new tip and known by many. Sorry jr
Posted: 11:05 pm on November 17th

buildingwithpurpose writes: I have used this technique and I like it for very small patch jobs but I still prefer adding backing for ceiling patches when the weight of the piece of sheetrock used for the patch may allow it to sag. Backing can be simply a strip of plywood slightly longer that the hole and narrow enough to get into the hole. Hold the backing strip tight to the backside of the rock and screw it into the existing rock. Use one piece for each side of the opeing. This process is quick and easy and a bit more sturdy.
Posted: 3:29 pm on November 1st

Dreamcatcher writes: California Patch? I've always called that a "Super Patch" and I've successfully used that technique for years. It works great every time.

Funny how the name game works; seems like you could attach a state name to any common technique and make it sound official. I think California is attached to the most; often when the same technique is common back east.

Posted: 6:15 am on October 12th

ChuckG writes: the part about scoring the paper and peeling it back from around the hole is definitely "Why didn't I think of that!!??"
Posted: 1:36 am on October 4th

xrcyst writes: I also score the paper around the hole to match the patch and peel it back before the mud it helps ease the transition some more.
Posted: 6:42 pm on September 22nd

xrcyst writes: I love this patch I have been using it for awhile and they almost always blend in perfect. BTW: here we call that a butterfly patch
Posted: 6:40 pm on September 22nd

tloehr writes: To me, ingenious requires the least amount of effort. It is the simplest solution to what could be a complex problem. In other words, "of course, why didn't I think of that."
Posted: 8:06 pm on September 8th

mikethegreek writes: an old trick. oldie but goodie
Posted: 1:03 pm on September 8th

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