Domakihub How to Patch a Hole in Drywall: A Step-by-Step Fix
Repair small and medium wall holes yourself with basic tools and a smooth finish.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
A screw anchor pulled loose, a doorknob swung too hard, or a careless move during a renovation — holes in drywall are one of the most common cosmetic problems in homes, holiday rentals, and hotel rooms across Greece. The video above from Ask This Old House walks through the patch visually; this guide turns those same steps into a clear written reference you can follow on-site with the tools in hand. Done properly, a patched wall is invisible once painted — and costs a fraction of calling a plasterer for minor damage.
When Drywall Gets Damaged
Drywall — known in Greece as gypsum board or kartonoplak — is the standard interior wall finish in most modern apartments, villas, and commercial builds. It is fast to install and easy to paint, but it dents and cracks more readily than traditional plaster. In rental properties especially, holes from picture hooks, TV brackets, or doorstops accumulate between tenants and need to be addressed before re-listing.
The good news is that most holes up to about 15 cm across can be repaired by a careful owner or property manager without specialist tools. Anything larger — say, a full panel section — is still manageable but may call in a professional taper for a truly seamless result.
What You Will Need
Gather your materials before you start: joint compound (also called spackling paste or filler — available at any Greek building-supplies store like Praktiker or Kotsovolos), a drywall patch kit or a piece of scrap drywall for larger holes, self-adhesive fibreglass mesh tape, a flexible putty knife or finishing knife (12–15 cm wide), fine-grit sandpaper (180–220 grit), a sanding block, primer, and matching wall paint. For holes under 3 cm, a simple tube of ready-mix filler and a small spatula are enough.
Work in a well-ventilated room and protect the floor with a drop cloth — joint compound dust is fine and spreads easily. If the wall surface is a rough texture (popular in older Athenian apartments), photograph the area first so you can re-create the texture when finishing.
How to Patch the Hole: Step by Step
- 1
Clean and prepare the hole
Remove any loose paper facing, crumbling gypsum, or protruding nails around the damage. Use a utility knife to trim ragged edges back to solid material. For a small nail or screw hole, simply press the dimple inward with a screwdriver so the paper facing is flush — there is no need to cut anything away.
- 2
Apply the backing or patch
For holes up to about 7 cm, press a self-adhesive fibreglass mesh patch over the opening; centre it and smooth it flat. For larger holes, cut a clean square around the damage, fit a backing strip of wood or metal inside the wall cavity, and screw a matching piece of drywall flush into the opening before taping the seams with mesh tape.
- 3
Apply the first coat of joint compound
Using your putty knife held at a low angle, spread joint compound over the patch in a thin, even layer, feathering the edges outward several centimetres beyond the patch border. Avoid overloading — a thin coat dries faster and shrinks less. Let this coat dry completely (typically 4–6 hours in a warm, dry Greek summer; longer in winter or high humidity near the coast).
- 4
Sand, then apply a second coat
Once the first coat is fully dry and no longer cool to the touch, sand lightly with 180-grit paper to knock down any ridges. Wipe the dust away with a damp cloth and apply a second, slightly wider coat of compound, again feathering the edges. A third skim coat is often needed for larger patches to achieve a truly flat surface. Each coat should be thinner than the last.
- 5
Sand smooth, prime, and paint
When the final coat is bone-dry, sand the area to a smooth finish with 220-grit paper, blending the edges into the surrounding wall. Wipe clean, then apply one coat of water-based primer to seal the compound — skipping primer causes the paint to absorb unevenly and leaves a dull spot. Once the primer is dry, apply your topcoat. Two thin coats of paint, lightly sanded between them, will give a result that is indistinguishable from the original wall.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Get a vetted handyman pro in your city — one number, booked in EN/EL/DE.
FAQ
- How long does a drywall patch take to dry before painting?
- Ready-mix joint compound needs at least 24 hours between the final coat and primer in typical indoor conditions. In Greece's humid coastal climate or during winter, allow up to 48 hours. The compound must be uniformly white with no dark or cool patches before you sand and prime.
- Can I patch drywall in a rental property between tenants?
- Yes — minor repairs with self-adhesive mesh patches and joint compound are well within DIY reach and should be part of every property turnover checklist. For best results, keep a small tub of pre-mixed compound and a patch kit on hand. If the wall has an unusual texture or the hole is larger than a standard A4 sheet, it is worth calling a specialist to avoid a visible patch under raking light.
- What is the difference between joint compound and filler (spackling)?
- Lightweight spackling paste is designed for small nail holes and minor cracks — it dries quickly and sands easily but shrinks if applied thickly. Joint compound (the kind used to tape drywall seams) is stronger and better for holes that require a patch or backing, but it takes longer to dry. For anything larger than a pencil-eraser, use proper joint compound rather than lightweight filler.