Basics: How to Repair Small Holes with Spackle

Repairing small holes with spackle is quick and painless, and makes a huge difference in making your home feel finished.

Holes happen . . . more often than seemingly possible. Rearranging a photo wall or removing a shelf leaves one or more holes. Unless you conveniently find something to hang over the hole, it needs a patch and paint. Here are the steps for repairing a small hole with spackle.

Interested in more basics? Check out how to drill a pilot hole.

Repair Small Holes with Spackle – Materials

How to Repair Small Holes with Spackle

1. Prepare Hole

Lay drop cloth or paper towel on floor under hole for easier clean up.

If the area around the hole is raised, flatten with a hammer. Use firm pressure but be careful not to hit too hard and create more work. Start with light taps if unsure how much pressure to apply.

Scrape over the hole with the putty knife to remove loose paint then wipe off any dust.

2. Fill Hole with Spackle

Scoop spackle onto putty knife, then apply to wall using angled strokes.

For small nail holes, a finger is a good alternative to a putty knife.

Fill hole completely with spackle.

Remove excess by scraping with putty knife at an angle then wiping wall with wet cloth (but don’t wipe over hole). This helps to maintain wall texture and reduce sanding required.

Let spackle dry. Follow spackle instructions for recommended drying time. Repeat until hole is filled and the spackle is level with the wall surface. A second or third coat may be needed as spackle can shrink or crack when dry.

3. Sand

Sand repaired hole with 220 fine grit sandpaper. Use clean, dry rag to wipe off sanding dust.

4. Paint

Using wall color, paint over spackled hole and surrounding area. Apply thin coats and feather to blend with painted wall; two coats may be needed.

How to Involve Kids in Repairing Small Holes with Spackle

Gooey spackle is a fun substance for any age, but especially young kiddos. This is a great project to bring the kids in on, because they can’t do any permanent harm. Any mess can be wiped clean and re-done (just wipe before spackle dries – even if it dries, spackle can be sanded). Explain the goal of filling the hole and the process.

Let the child spread the spackle on the hole with a finger and the putty knife. Also, the child can use the putty knife to scrape the excess off the wall. Supervise the child with the sandpaper, so they don’t scratch themselves or remove too much texture from the wall. Before you know it, the kiddo will be leading the spackle crew.