Repairing drywall is one of those projects that can make a huge difference in the value of a home. With so many people taking advantage of the boom in real estate by purchasing, repairing and reselling homes, learning to repair drywall has obvious monetary benefits. We present here a few of our favorite drywall repair tips.

-In order to repair small holes in drywall, the best procedure is to clean the holes carefully, then dampen them with a sponge. The holes can then be filled in using a professional drywall patching formula. The drywall patch should be applied using a narrow putty knife. If you prefer, these small holes can be repaired by using patching plaster to fill in the holes. After the compound has dried, the area should be primed and painted to match the rest of the wall.

-For patching larger holes, it may be preferable to use precut adhesive wallboard patches. It may be necessary to make the hole wider in order to fit the patch into place. After the precut wallboard has been put into place, the seams should be covered and the patch should be covered with joint compound. When applying the joint compound it is important to follow the directions on the label. After the patch is in place, it should be primed and then painted to match the rest of the surface.

-If nails have popped out from in the drywall, be sure that the panel is well secured to the surrounding studs above and below the nail. The nail should then be hammered in and dimpled. A second nail should be put in and dimpled next to the original nail. Joint compound should then be applied to cover both nails. After the joint compound has been allowed to dry, the area should be primed and painted.

-Small dents in the drywall can be repaired by first sanding the surface thoroughly. Sanding will help to make the edges rough, thus providing a good base for joint compound to adhere to. After the area has been sanded, the dent should be filled with joint compound using a three or four inch spreader. The joint compound should be spread evenly and pressed firmly into the area to be repaired. For large dents it may be necessary to allow the joint compound to dry overnight and then apply a second coat. After the joint compound has dried completely, the area should be sanded, primed and painted.