Repairing Holes In The Home

How to fix a small hole

DIY Tool Kit: Selleys Spakfilla Rapid; sandpaper; cloth; sample paint pot; paintbrush

Every home has at least one of these. Little holes (up to 20mm in diameter) in walls left from hanging photo frames or picture hooks. They may be small, but certainly worth fixing, especially if you’re renting.

Gently sand over the hole, ensuring edges are smooth. Wipe with cloth to remove dust. Using the supplied spatula, scoop a small amount of Selleys Spakfilla Rapid; press firmly into the hole and smooth off. Let dry for about 30 minutes (for thin applications). Lightly sand back any excess filler and wipe away any loose dust. To paint, apply light layers over the repair and surrounding area, feathering the strokes to help blend in with the existing wall. Allow to dry between coats.

How to fix a hole created by a door handle

DIY Tool Kit: Selleys Spakfilla Heavy Duty; sandpaper; cloth

One of the biggest offenders for holes in walls is the door handle. The effect isn’t immediate, it’s so gradual, that one day, it just appears and you wonder how you didn’t notice it sooner! To fix this type of hole*, clean up edges with a utility knife and lightly sand around the patch, ensuring edges are smooth. Wipe away any loose dust. Using supplied spatula, scoop a small amount of Selleys Spakfilla Heavy Duty onto the corner and press firmly into the hole. Scrape away excess, smooth off surface and feather edges to help it blend in with the wall. Let dry for 2-3 hours. Lightly sand back any filler and wipe away dust before painting.

To prevent it from happening again, install a door stop or use a rubber wedge.

*If it’s a larger hole, follow the steps below for patching a large hole. 

How to fix a large hole

DIY tool kit: Selleys Spakfilla Rapid; 240grit sandpaper; cloth; spatula; self-adhesive wall mesh patch; utility knife

There is no denying it - large holes in plasterboard are an eye sore, often hidden behind bookcases or other bits of furniture. With the right know-how, they can be fixed, it’s not as difficult as you may think.

Use a utility knife to remove any flaky or loose debris around the hole. Smooth over hole with sandpaper and wipe away dust. Cut self-adhesive mesh to fit over hole, allowing 20-30mm around outside edge of hole. Peel away backing of adhesive mesh, centre over hole and firmly press down the edges onto wall. Using supplied spatula, apply a generous amount of Selleys Spakfilla Rapid to the patched area. Use a wiping motion from opposite directions to ensure the mesh is completely covered and extend the filler 20-30mm outside and around the mesh. Use a single downward stroke to remove excess product and let dry for at least 30-60 minutes.

Lightly sand the area, using a circular motion to smooth over edges. Wipe away dust. Reapply Selleys Spakfilla Rapid if initial application has shrunk and leave to dry thoroughly – this may take up to a day – before sanding and painting.

How to fix a hole in a door

DIY Tool Kit: Selleys Plasti-Bond Heavy Duty; sandpaper; cloth; utility knife; putty knife; paint

Let kids be kids, they say! But often that means wrestling or rolling matches sadly end with holes in doors.

If you have a solid core door, the fix is relatively simple. To fix a small hole, use a utility knife to cut away loose and flaky edges and smooth area with sandpaper. Stir Selleys Plasti-Bond Heavy Duty well before use. Mix in hardener until the colour is uniform. Apply with a putty knife, slightly overfilling to allow for sanding. Try and feather the edges for a smooth, well-blended finish. Once hardened, sand and wipe clean before painting.