Patching Drywall: Circular Door Knob Hole

A hole in your drywall from a doorknob is an unsightly but common problem that can be easily fixed. The permanent repair involves using a drywall patch and installing wood backing behind the patch. This method is sturdy, secure, and long-lasting, and can be done by a beginner DIY-er. There is also a temporary solution that involves using a doorknob wall shield, which is a circular piece of plastic with a self-adhesive that you can press onto the wall over the hole. This method will cost you about $5 and will protect your wall from further damage from the doorknob.

Use a hot patch with fast-setting joint compound

To repair a circular door knob hole in drywall, you can use a hot patch with a fast-setting joint compound. This method is perfect for small repairs and can be used on drywall patches of any size.

First, find a piece of scrap 1/2-inch drywall about three times the size of the hole you need to repair. Score the backside of the drywall, allowing about 1" to 1.5" on the edges. Snap off the edges of the repair piece, leaving the paper on the front, and clean off any remaining drywall from the paper.

Line up the repair piece to cover the hole and any damaged portions of the wall. Trace around the edge of the repair piece to mark your cut line, then cut along this line with a box knife or drywall hole saw. Dry fit the repair piece to ensure it fits flush, and mark the direction it needs to fit.

Now, you can prepare the hot patch. Mix your fast-setting joint compound, also known as "hot mud," with water according to the manufacturer's instructions. This compound sets by chemical reaction rather than evaporation, so it will set in damp conditions and is ideal for high-humidity areas.

Using a 6" drywall knife, spread the fast-setting joint compound around the edge of the hole and on the inside edge of the repair area. You can also add a little to the edge of the repair piece. Insert the repair piece into the hole, using a 12" drywall knife to push it in flush and work out any excess compound from under the edges of the paper.

Before adding a second coat of compound, ensure that the first coat has dried completely. It's important to resist the urge to finish with just one coat, as the compound will shrink as it dries. Plan to apply three thin coats in total. After your final coat has dried, use a damp towel to sand the surface and blend the edges. Your drywall repair is now ready for primer and paint.

Cut out the damaged drywall

To repair a circular door knob hole in drywall, you'll need to cut out a plug from the damaged drywall and replace it with a plug of undamaged drywall. Start by tracing around the damaged area with a square object, like a coaster, to create clean lines. You can also use a box knife or drywall hole saw to cut along the edge of the repair piece and mark the cut line.

Next, assemble your hole saw by removing the nut and slipping it onto the threaded mandrel. Secure the hole saw in place by tightening the nut. Choose a hole saw size that matches the size of the damage as closely as possible.

Now, you'll need to create a template from scrap plywood to support the hole saw and prevent it from skipping around the drywall when cutting. The plywood can be of any thickness as it only guides the blade. Place the template against the wall, lining up the opening with the damaged drywall. Hold the template firmly and slowly drill and push the hole saw into the drywall. Continue drilling until you cut completely through the drywall, leaving a clean hole.

Remove the template, hole saw, and any debris from the opening. You should now have a circular cut-out of the damaged drywall.

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Cut a new piece of drywall to fit the hole

To repair a circular door knob hole in drywall, you will need to cut a new piece of drywall to fit the hole. This process is known as a "hot patch" and is considered one of the best ways to repair a door knob-sized hole in drywall.

Firstly, find a piece of scrap 1/2-inch drywall that is about three times the size of the hole you need to repair. You can use any thickness of drywall for this, and it does not have to match the thickness of the existing drywall.

Next, you will need to score the backside of the drywall, allowing about 1" to 1.5" on the edges. You can use a standard hole saw to do this, and it is recommended to get a kit with multiple sizes. Remove the nut from the hole saw, slip it onto the mandrel, and then place the nut back on and tighten it, securing the hole saw in place.

After you have assembled the hole saw, place a template (made from scrap plywood of any thickness) against the wall, with the opening in the template directly over the damaged drywall. Hold the template firmly and line up the hole saw inside, then slowly drill and push into the drywall. Continue drilling until you cut completely through the drywall. Remove the template, hole saw, and any debris.

Now you are ready to make a new plug. Using the same hole saw, drill into the scrap drywall but stop before going all the way through—you should go through the gypsum middle layer but not through the back paper layer. This is critical to patching the hole. If you do accidentally drill all the way through, simply find another area and drill a new plug.

With a sharp hobby knife, carefully cut around the partially drilled drywall scrap. You will need a few inches around the plug to make a patch. Score radial markings from the plug to the outside of the patch, then firmly grip and break along the scoring, removing the drywall but leaving the paper backing intact. When done correctly, you will have a drywall plug with a skirt of paper attached.

Finally, trim the corners of the patch to make it easier to conceal. Use regular scissors to create a small radius on each corner.

Apply joint compound to the hole and new drywall

Now that you've cut out a piece of drywall to cover the hole, it's time to apply the joint compound, also known as "mud". Open the container of joint compound and mix it thoroughly. Using a putty knife, apply a generous amount of the compound to the hole and the surrounding area. Make sure there's plenty of compound inside the hole, as this will fill the gap made by the hole saw blade. When you insert the new piece of drywall, it will squeeze any excess compound behind the wall, so don't worry about applying too much.

Line up the new piece of drywall, also known as the "patch", and insert it into the hole with the wetted paper side facing you. Gently press the patch into the opening until it is fully seated and the paper backing is flush with the wall. Use the putty knife to press from the middle of the patch outwards, squeezing out any air bubbles and ensuring good contact between the paper and the wall. Any joint compound that is pushed out from the knife can be placed back on top of the patch.

Apply more joint compound with the putty knife over the patch, smoothing it out into an even and smooth coat. Alternate between making passes from the centre outwards, and then going back and making passes from the outside in towards the centre. When the patch, and especially the edges, are covered, allow the joint compound to dry completely. This may take several hours or even overnight. Do not attempt to sand the joint compound until it is fully dry, otherwise, it will make a clumpy mess.

Once the joint compound is completely dry, you can sand it smooth. Start with 120-grit sandpaper and work your way up to 200-grit, removing any marks, high spots, and creating a seamless transition from the wall to the patch. After sanding, clean up any dust and debris before painting. Apply paint with a roller for a smooth, flat finish. If your patch is near an outlet or switch, be sure to mask it with tape to avoid painting it accidentally.

Insert the new piece of drywall into the hole

Now that you have prepared the hole in the wall and the new piece of drywall, it is time to insert the repair piece. This process will require a 6" drywall knife and a 12" drywall knife.

Start by spreading drywall mud around the edge of the hole and on the inside edge of the repair area with the 6" drywall knife. It is recommended to add a little mud to the edge of the repair piece as well.

Next, insert the new piece of drywall into the hole. Use the 12" drywall knife to push the piece in flush, working the excess mud out from under the edges of the paper. Ensure that the repair piece is inserted in the correct direction, which should have been marked earlier.

After inserting the repair piece, it is time to apply the second coat of drywall mud. It is important to wait for the first coat to dry completely before applying the second coat. The mud will shrink as it dries, so it is recommended to apply three thin coats rather than trying to finish with just one or two coats.

Once the final coat of drywall mud has dried, use a damp towel to sand the surface and blend the edges. Now the wall is ready for primer and paint.

Frequently asked questions