Article By: Mirna Cacic

If the kids are putting in way too many holes in the walls and your house is starting to look like a block of Swiss cheese, have no fear! There is a way you can patch up your drywall yourself, and it’s oh so easy, too! Patching up those unsightly holes is going to take you less than an hour to do – and that includes drying time! Save yourself a couple bucks by following along with our easy tutorial! Let’s get started!

What You Will Need:

1) Peel-and-stick drywall patch kit

2) Utility knife

3) 6″ taping knife

4) Fine-grit sandpaper

5) Joint compound

6) Drywall primer

Step #1:

Cut away any loose paper from the hole using the utility knife.

Step #2:

Take your patch and peel away the backing paper. Place the patch over the hole and smooth it out.

Step #3:

Take the taping knife and press the drywall primer into the patch. Make sure the entire patch is covered.

Step #4:

Take the joint compound and cover up the patch again. Cover the patch in two thin coats.

Step #5:

Allow the joint compound to dry. This usually takes about 30 minutes. When it’s dry, sand it smooth with the sandpaper. Blend the edges of the patch to help it blend in with the rest of the wall.

Photos: This Old House, Dummies.

If you live in an old home you might have noticed rotten wood in certain parts of your home. This problem can crop up anywhere, like in door frames or stairs. If it’s a big problem, your best bet would be to replace the wood completely. If it’s only a small patch, there is a way to fix it easily. Keep reading for instructions!

Step #1:

The first thing you need to do is to remove the rotten wood. You can use a sharp tool like the sharp end of a hammer.

Step #2:

Fill the area with High Performance Wood Filler. If there is a lot of work to be done, you can also use a two-part auto body polyester like Bondo, which is less expensive. The High Performance Wood Filler with strengthen the wood fibers. Once you apply it, you have around 10-15 minutes of time to work with it before it begins to harden. If you’re doing vertical repairs, the polyester can sag. To prevent this, build a form and line it with plastic sheeting. Press the form against the filler and attach it using screws. Take the form off when the filler hardens. Another way to do this is to wait until the filler hardens to a soap consistency and then carve it using a putty knife, or shape it using a rasp. Most wood repairs will require 2 layers of filler.

Step #3:

To finish off the repair, sand and prime the area before painting.

Photos: This Old House, Family Handyman, Home Depot, Fine Art America.