Most drywall repairs are simple, consisting of patching holes, filling dents, and embedding popped nails, and require only basic tools and some spackling compound. Be prepared to touch up or paint the repaired area.

Minor repairs
Such minor flaws as dents and small nail holes can be repaired by filling the area with joint compound after sanding it clean. Choose a putty knife appropriately sized to the blemish, and if more than one layer of compound is required, make sure you allow each layer to dry between applications.

Popped nails can be fixed by tapping the popped nail beneath the wall’s surface and then driving a second nail next to it to hold the first nail in place. Dimples can be filled with joint compound.

Major repairs
If a wall has a large dent or hole, the damaged area must be replaced with a new piece of drywall of identical thickness. The tricks involved in doing this well are 1) to fasten the new replacement piece securely, even where wall studs are not available for attachment, and 2) to blend the new piece of drywall with the rest of the surface so it appears seamless.

Start by cutting out the area to be replaced so that you have a tidy rectangular hole to work with. Mark this cut-out with a pencil. Then use a drywall saw or a sharp utility knife to make the cuts. If you use a utility knife, you will need to score repeatedly along a straightedge to cut all of the way through the drywall.Then cut a replacement piece to fit the hole.

The best way to attach the replacement piece will depend on its size and whether or not there are wall studs backing it. To attach the new piece of drywall securely, see Fixing Holes in Drywall.

Once the replacement piece is securely fastened, blending the surface so the repair is not apparent usually requires three applications of drywall joint compound. Because the area has to dry completely after each application, this can take a couple of days. Your supplies will include ready-mix joint compound; 2-inch drywall tape, either perforated or mesh; taping knifes in 4-, 6-, and 10-inch sizes; and 400-grit sandpaper and a sanding block.

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Load about half of a 4-inch taping-knife blade with joint compound and, holding the knife at a 45-degree angle, apply it to the seams. Apply the next layer with a 6-inch blade after the first layer is completely dry, usually after

24 hours. Do the same for the third layer, only this time use the 10-inch blade. Finally, smooth the surface when it is completely dry with a wet sponge and sanding the seams with the sandpaper wrapped around the sanding block.