Although it’s far more easily installed than plaster, a surface sheathed in drywall (also known as sheetrock, wallboard, and plasterboard) tends to be softer and more damage-prone than one built up with plaster. The damage ranges from the small dents and scrapes caused by doors or furniture to major holes. Though it's unsightly, damage like this can typically be repaired by competent homeowners with the right tools and sufficient patience. Here’s a rough outline of how to patch drywall.
Evaluate the Damage
Determine the extent of the damage. Holes in walls can be of any size, but generally fall into a simple classification. The smallest class is the punctures made by nails or other picture hangers; next come those dents and scratches that don't break the surface. The third class is small holes that crack the wallboard and tear the paper - Many of these, for unknown reasons, seem to be fist-sized. Last comes large holes that might be caused by falling objects or trapped pets. You'll need to approach repair with different techniques and tools depending on the size of the hole.
Assemble Your Tools
Whatever the size of the hole, you’ll eventually use a putty knife or wallboard knife. Wallboard knives are made in widths of about 6-12 inches; for large holes you may need two or three sizes. No wallboard repair can be made without at least some joint compound. Although your college dorm roommate repaired nail holes with white toothpaste, a small container of joint compound or latex spackle actually costs less than that tube of toothpaste. Collect an assortment of different grits of closed-coat sandpaper. To repair a large hole you’ll need additional tools like a ruler, a wallboard saw, and something to use as a patch.
