How to Patch a Textured Wall

If you own an older home, you will likely come across the problem of how to patch a textured wall. Even a nail hole can become difficult to hide with simple spackle. Luckily, there are dry wall texture products specific to each type of texture and the size of the repair patch.

Patching Small Holes

To patch small imperfections like nail holes, dents or scratches, use adhesive dry wall texture patches which glue onto the wall like stickers. Begin by sanding the repair area gently with P-220 grit sandpaper. Wipe clean to remove any dust, then dry with a blow dryer or cloth. Stick the dry wall texture patch so that it overlaps over undamaged areas. Because the edges of the patch are uneven, it will blend in with the rest of wall. Conceal the repair by painting the dry wall texture patch to match the rest of your wall.

Patching Large Textured Walls

If you have torn molding or casing off a textured wall with the result of a deep scar in the drywall, you will need to first resurface the drywall, then add dry wall texture to match the rest of the room. Use a putty knife to smear spackle into the damaged area and smooth evenly. Once dry, sand thoroughly using a palm sander and P-100 grit sandpaper, followed by P-220 grit sandpaper. The surface should feel perfectly smooth. If it does not, patch the wall one more time and be sure to let the spackle dry thoroughly (for 24 hours if possible).

Once the wall is perfectly smooth, use low odor spray texture to patch the textured wall flawlessly. Shake the can vigorously for 1 minute, then adjust the nozzle to the thickness of texture you desire. It’s best to create a test patch on a piece of cardboard and compare the sprayed texture to the rest of the wall. Be careful not to overspray fresh texture over fresh texture before the bottom layer has had a chance to dry for 24 hours. The heavy texture will simply weigh down on the bottom layer and flatten it, leaving you with a bump instead of the elegant matching wall texture you desire.

In some renovated homes where the popcorn ceiling was removed, the ceiling was textured to match the walls. In this case, feel free to use the same dry wall texture spray on the ceiling using the same method. Be sure to always pay a little more for the low odor spray, as the regular one will overwhelm your eyes and nasal cavity.

Patching Large Holes in a Textured Ceiling

For large holes in drywall ceilings or walls, first cut a piece of drywall to match the size of the hole. Adhere the fresh drywall in place using fiberglass mesh tape. Then use a putty knife to smear joint compount over the area. Once dry, sand by hand with P-220 grit sandpaper to smooth the repair area. To match the rest of the ceiling or wall, use dry wall textured spray or stickers as described above. For popcorn ceilings, use popcorn ceiling textured spray and once more be sure to set the nozzle to a degree of texturing similar to that of your current ceiling.