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How-To

Patching plaster or drywall

A simple and effective way of patching small
holes in plaster or drywall is done without tape.
First, cut out the hole until you’ve got a rectangle.
Then cut a piece of drywall of any thickness
to the size of the hole plus 2 in. in both the
length and width. On the back of this patch,
score and break the board to the exact dimensions
of the hole, and peel away the paper and
gypsum from the front layer of paper. You will
be left with a solid piece of drywall the size of
your hole, with 1-in. strips of face paper on all
four sides

Now apply taping compound to the edges of
the hole, and press your patch into the hole until
it’s flush with the rest of the wall. The face
paper acts like tape, and you finish like any
other drywall joint. If you cut your patch for a
tight fit, you can use this technique on the ceiling.

Geoff Parkinson, Vancouver, None

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  1. siobhanws | Jul 02, 2016 07:28am | #1

    Hi Geoff ~ nice one ! Have just used it ~ the scoring and snapping and peeling is a bit tricky but your tip's done the job. Thanks from UK...

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