Asked on Jul 11, 2017

What's the best way to patch a hole in drywall with no stud behind it?

Dana Perry
by Dana Perry
  7 answers
  • Gracie Gracie on Jul 11, 2017

    get a piece of drywall or wood or even cardboard. Cut it so it fits in the hole and glue it to the back of the drywall so you have a solid surface to put your plaster on. You could also use screws. Put thin layers of the plaster on, letting them dry in-between coats.


  • Alice Elaine Lord Alice Elaine Lord on Jul 11, 2017

    You can buy yellow mesh tape from the Hardware store that's for drywall. Put it either in the hole as a backing or on top of the hole if it's indented and patch.

    In the olden days they used two tin can lids for plaster and holes in the wood, so I imagine two thin pieces of plastic with a fast drying filler in between would also work.

    Just thought of another, glue a piece of wood on the opposite drywall for backing.

    I tried a balloon before and that didn't work. Yep, 4 boys! Lots of repairs.

  • Sylvia Smothers Lawing Sylvia Smothers Lawing on Jul 11, 2017

    It depends on how large the hole is. If it is four inches or less, you can get a mesh product at Home Depot to do the repair. It comes in squares. Cut the square to the size you need. It has adhesive backing. Place it over the hole. Then put a thin coat of sheet-rock filler over it,two if needed. Let dry, then sand and paint. If the hole is large, I measure and cut it out square. Go in behind it an put a brace 2x4 crosswise between the studs. Get a scrap piece of sheet-rock. Nail in place fitting into square. Put sheet-rock tape around and cover edges with filler. Let dry-sand and paint. :)

  • Moonalisa Crabass Moonalisa Crabass on Jul 11, 2017

    They make a metal mesh type plate, that you can use. Here is an example, but they do make different sizes, so just make sure you get the appropriate size for your hole.


    http://www.homedepot.com/p/Wal-Board-Tools-6-in-x-6-in-Drywall-Repair-Self-Adhesive-Wall-Patch-54-006/100036128

  • Amanda Amanda on Jul 11, 2017

    I have patched several holes in drywall with no studs. The first thing you can do is take a shim and put it in the hole. While holding it try to get a screw through the existing drywall on both sides to hold the shim in place. I then cut a piece of new drywall and screw that into the shim. It can be tricky since shims are so thin. Tape, and use drywall compound to fill it in and blend. After it dries sand and apply more drywall compound if needed. Last prime and paint. Should not even be able to tell it was patched.