How to fix a large hole in a wall
By Tom Drake | 1st August 2024 | 4 min read
If you have a large hole in a plasterboard wall, you might not be able to repair it with filler or a patch. In this guide, we show you how to cut out a section of damaged plasterboard and replace it. If you need to fix a small hole, take a look at our guide to filling holes in walls.
How to replace a section of plasterboard:
Project essentials:
1. Locate pipes and studs
First, use a detector to check for any pipes or electrical cables behind the area you’re going to cut out. Once you’re confident you won’t encounter these, use your detector to locate the vertical timber studs on either side of the hole and mark their location with a pencil.
Your wall will also be fitted with horizontal pieces of timber called noggings. If you detect any of these near the hole, you can also mark their location.
2. Mark the section to cut out
Once you’ve located the studs and any pipes behind the plasterboard, you can mark out the section of plasterboard that you’re going to cut out of the wall.
If the hole in your wall is particularly large, you can cut out an entire section of plasterboard between two vertical studs. You’ll then secure your new section of plasterboard to these vertical studs. If you’re going to use this method, the section you cut out needs to end at the centre of the vertical stud on both sides.
If the section you want to replace is smaller, you can cut out a smaller section of plasterboard around the damaged area. You’ll then need to fit two new horizontal pieces of timber behind the plasterboard to stabilise the new section.
Once you’ve worked out the section you need to remove, mark this on a wall using a pencil.
3. Cut out the damaged plasterboard
Cut out the damaged section of plasterboard using a plasterboard jab saw. If you’re replacing the plasterboard up to the vertical studs, use a craft knife and straight edge to score and cut the section of plasterboard which sits on top of the timber stud.
When cutting plasterboard, always wear an appropriate dust mask, eye protection and gloves.
4. Cut out a new section
With the damaged plasterboard removed, measure the hole you’ve created and mark up these dimensions on a piece of new plasterboard.
Cut your new piece of plasterboard to size using a craft knife. For help cutting plasterboard, take a look at our guide.
5. Fit replacement plasterboard
With your new section of plasterboard cut to size, you can secure it in place.
If you’re securing your repair to existing vertical studs, simply place your new plasterboard into the gap and secure it to the timber studs with plasterboard screws. If your plasterboard doesn’t quite fit, you can use a drywall rasp to take a small amount off the edges.
If you’ve removed a smaller piece of plasterboard, you’ll need to cut down two sections of timber to a length slightly larger than the hole. These pieces of timber will support your new section of plasterboard.
Place the timber pieces inside the wall horizontally above and below your repair hole. Make sure they overlap the new and existing plasterboard by the same amount, then secure them to the existing plasterboard using plasterboard screws.
Drive the screws into the plasterboard so they go past the surface of the plasterboard paper, but don’t crack the plasterboard.
With your timber supports in place, slot your new section of plasterboard into the hole and secure it to the timber supports using plasterboard screws.
6. Finish the wall
With your repair in place, all that’s left to do is finish the wall and paint it. If you’ve only repaired a small section of plasterboard, you may be able to use jointing tape and filler to create a smooth surface ready for painting. However, for larger areas, you’ll likely need to apply a thin coat of plaster.
