How to repair walls

Remove any damaged or loose plaster with a scraper. Then, use a wire brush to clean the area.

Thoroughly dampen the surface surrounding the repair with a mix of PVA glue and water.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions to mix the quick-drying patch plaster. Don't mix up too large a quantity at any one time, because plaster can dry out quickly.

Use a plastering trowel to transfer a section of plaster to the plasterer’s hawk. When working with plaster, it's best to only work with small amounts at a time.

Cut a small section of plaster onto the plastering trowel. Apply it to the repair with vertical and horizontal movements, pressing firmly to work the plaster into the damaged area. Try to build up a rhythm so you can cover the patch repair before the plaster starts to set.

Following the manufacturer's instructions, leave the plaster to dry. Once the plaster is dry, use a spray gun or paintbrush to dampen the surface with clean water.

Use the edge of a clean trowel and work across the wall plaster repair to smooth the finish. Repeat this process if advised by the manufacturer.

Check the area around the repair with a cable, pipe, and stud detector. This ensures it's safe to cut through the old plasterboard.

Measure the hole, then clearly mark the measurements onto a piece of plasterboard offcut.

Add an extra 25mm at the top and bottom. Then cut the offcut to size with a plasterboard saw or retractable knife.

Use a pencil and straight edge to mark the original measurements onto the wall, without the additional 25mm overhangs.

Draw diagonal lines from the hole into each corner. Use a plasterboard saw to cut along the diagonal lines.

Use a retractable knife and straight edge to score the plasterboard along the guide marks and remove the excess plasterboard.

Drill a hole that’s big enough to easily accommodate a nail into the centre of the plasterboard offcut. Place a nail into the hole.

Apply a bead of grab adhesive to the 25mm overhang at the top and bottom of the offcut. Carefully slide the offcut through the hole and into position.

Pull the nail towards you to create a strong bond between the adhesive and the plasterboard. Don't let go of the nail until the adhesive has bonded. Allow the adhesive to dry fully before continuing.

Once the adhesive has dried, push the nail out so it falls behind the plasterboard.

Mix and apply your repair plaster or ready-mixed filler. Apply it to the hole with a flexible filling knife, working both vertically and horizontally. Make sure you fill the hole until it's level with the plasterboard.

When dry, use medium-grade sandpaper and a sanding block to create a smooth, level finish.

As with the other fixes, check around the repair area with a cable and pipe detector to make sure it’s safe to work.

Use a stud detector or place a metal ruler inside the hole to locate the position of the studs on both sides. Mark roughly where the centre of the studs are onto the plasterboard wall.

Use a straight edge or spirit level to extend the marks and draw vertical lines that run higher and lower than the damaged area.

Draw horizontal lines 50mm above and below the damaged area, so they join to the vertical lines and create a rectangle.

Mark diagonal lines into each corner and cut along them with a plasterboard saw.

Use a retractable knife and straight edge to score along the horizontal and vertical lines. This allows you to remove the entire damaged area.

Measure the distance between the two studs and cut two lengths of batten to size.

First, drill your pilot holes. Then use a combi-drill to secure the batten in position. Do this by skewing 40mm screws through the batten and into the studs. This creates support noggings at the top and bottom of the hole.

Carefully measure and cut a section of plasterboard to fit the space.

Attach the section of plasterboard to the studs and noggings with 32mm drywall screws.

Secure the original plasterboard to the studs and noggings with 32mm drywall screws.

To help make the seam invisible and to prevent future cracking, carefully apply jointing tape. Make sure that the tape overlaps the join.

Following the manufacturer’s instructions, mix the finishing plaster. Apply it with a plasterer’s finishing trowel, ensuring all the jointing tape is covered.

Allow it to dry, then use medium-grade sandpaper and a sanding block to create a smooth and level surface.

Yes, carrying out wall repairs is relatively straightforward, even if it's your first time. Our guides break the process down to show you exactly how to patch solid walls and fix holes in plasterboard. If you're only repairing a small amount of damage, using ready-mixed plaster will make things much easier.

Before attempting any cosmetic fixes, you must identify and resolve the source of the dampness. Once the root cause is fixed and the wall has fully dried out, you can remove any damaged plaster and apply new plaster or filler as needed.

Cracks in your walls are typically caused by your house naturally settling over time, or by changes in temperature and humidity that make the building materials expand and contract. Cracks can also appear on plasterboard walls if jointing tape wasn't carefully applied to overlap the seams during installation.