If you’re a homeowner it’s likely that the day will come when you’re faced with repairing a medium sized hole in drywall. Here’s good news: repairing a medium drywall hole is not only inexpensive, it’s also uncomplicated. Let’s learn how to get it done.
Two Common Methods Used to Repair a Medium Sized Hole in Drywall
There are two common methods for repairing medium drywall holes. Unlike a small drywall hole that can be filled with joint compound and covered with a bit of mesh drywall tape, a medium drywall hole requires a bit more effort, and a different technique.
Let’s explore two common methods used to tackle a medium drywall hole. The first (for holes less then 8″) uses a commercially available drywall patch or metal drywall clips. The second method of repairing a medium drywall hole employs the use of furring strips, or other wood backing and a new piece of drywall.
Using a drywall patch or metal clips often makes for a faster repair, but it also leaves the drywall a bit vulnerable. The furring strip method requires a bit more work upfront, but the wall is stronger because a new piece of drywall is attached securely to a wood backing. Let’s investigate each medium drywall hole repair method further.
How to Repair a Medium Drywall Hole: Patch Method
- Prepare patch. Cut the metal backer of your drywall patch to fit over the medium drywall hole. Be sure that the sides of the metal extend slightly beyond the edge of the hole. Cut the mesh tape so that it extends over the metal piece by about 1″ on each side.
Tip: Drywall patches come in various sizes up to 8″ x 8″ square and can be found at any hardware store. - Prepare wall and patch. Using a utility knife, carefully score the wall around the patch and remove a layer of the paint and drywall paper. Once your patch and wall are ready, it’s time to make the repair. Adhere the metal patch to the wall, covering the hole, and apply tape.
Tip: Using a utility knife with a new blade will help create sharp scores, and make paint and paper removal easier and cleaner. 
Finish hole. Apply joint compound with a 6″ drywall knife, and cover area entirely. Use a thin coat, and feather the edges of the compound out about 2″ from the perimeter of the mesh patch. Let dry and use a sanding sponge to gently sand out rough spots if needed. Reapply compound as needed with a wider knife, let dry, and sand again. Often, it takes three coats to get a smooth finish. Take a step back and analyze the patch from various angles to look for high spots, or exposed tape. You may find that you’ll have to feather the compound beyond 2″ or more to get a smooth, seamless finish. Apply primer and paint.
Tip: Angle a light at the repaired area (a flashlight works great) to expose bumps or rough spots.
Tools and Materials to Repair a Medium Drywall Hole: Patch Method
- Drywall patch
- Utility knife
- Joint compound
- 6″ and 8″ Drywall knifes
- Medium/Fine Sanding sponge
How to Repair a Medium Hole in Drywall: Metal Clip Method (for medium drywall holes up to 10″)
- Remove damaged drywall. Cut a piece of drywall that’s slightly larger than the medium sized drywall hole. Hold the piece of cut drywall up to the damaged area and trace around it on the wall with a pencil. Cut damaged piece out with a drywall saw.
Tip: Cut new piece of drywall in the shape of a square or rectangle for best results, and be accurate with your cut! The more accurate your cut, the better fit you’ll get. - Insert clips. Insert metal drywall clips every few inches around the inside perimeter of the square/rectangular hole. Clips will fit over the inside edge of the drywall. Use at least four clips for best results, and more clips if necessary.
- Place and finish new drywall. Place new piece of drywall in hole. Using drywall screws, secure the new piece of drywall to the metal clips. Sink screw heads slightly. Finish repairing the medium sized drywall hole as in Step 4. of the Patch Method.
Tools and Materials to Repair a Medium Drywall Hole: Metal Clip Method (for medium drywall holes up to 10″)
- Drywall piece
- Utility knife
- Pencil
- Straight edge
- Metal drywall clips
- Drywall screws
- Screwdriver
- Joint compound
- 6″-8″ Putty knife
- Sanding sponge
How to Repair a Medium Drywall Hole: Furring Strip Method
- Remove damaged drywall. Cut a piece of drywall that’s slightly larger than the medium drywall hole. Hold the piece of cut drywall up to the damaged area and trace around it on the wall with a pencil. Cut damaged piece out with a drywall saw.
Tip: Cut new piece of drywall in the shape of a square or rectangle for best results, and be accurate with your cut! The more accurate your cut, the better fit you’ll get. - Secure furring strips. Cut furring strips about 6″ longer than the hole. Slide the strip into the hole (perpendicular to the floor) and secure the top and bottom of the strip with drywall screws. Depending on the size of the hole, be prepared to use more than one strip.
Tip: Sink screw heads slightly. Be cautious of finger placement when screwing the furring strip in place! 
Install new drywall. Fit drywall in place to cover the medium drywall hole, and use drywall screws to secure it to the furring strips.
Tip: A good fit is vital to a professional finish. Take your time and do it right.- Finishing drywall. Finish repairing the medium sized drywall hole as in Step 4. of the Patch Method
Tools and Materials to Repair a Medium Drywall Hole: Furring Strip Method
- Drywall piece
- Utility knife
- Pencil
- Straight edge
- Furring strip (or other appropriately sized wood backing)
- Drywall screws
- Screwdriver
- Joint compound
- 6″-8″ Drywall knife
- Sanding sponge
It’s really a satisfying feeling to successfully fix damage to your home. As you can see, repairing a medium drywall hole is a project you can tackle. – It’s straightforward, does not require any unusual tools, and best of all it’s an inexpensive repair that takes little time. While no one looks forward to a drywall hole repair, be confident that you’ll get the job done!
One Response
This was a HUGE help! My husband and I just moved into a new house, and there is a whole in the wall that needs to patched up. I want to do it quick, so that it’ll be dry by the time we are done finished moving the furniture in. I think that we will try the metal backing, and then putting the dry wall over it. I think that would be the easiest for us.