Drywall home repair and renovation

How to repair drywall with a "California patch"

California patch refers to the technique for patching holes less than 4"inches. Most likely the term originated from the area where this method started. In this living room we have an old outlet for a surround system speaker that has been removed.

Drywall patch for old speaker wire outlet

The first step is to measure the length and height of your existing hole. If the hole is an irregular shape you can square it off with an x-acto knife, this will make it easier to create a patch. Transfer measurements to the right side of a scarp piece of drywall, add 1.5 inches to all sides of the patch you measured, this will be the overlap section. You can see in the photo below that hole is about 2 inches wide but the square is more than 4 inches wide. 

Add 1.5 inches to the size of drywall patch you need

Turn over the drywall to the backside (usually the darker side). Mark the exact dimensions of the hole you measured in the center of the piece you cut. Score the lines with an x-acto knife 2 times to make the drywall easier to snap.

Usually the darker side of the drywall is the backside

Once you have scored along all 4 lines pry the drywall along the line it will split following your line. Gently open the crack and peel back only the section you want to remove. Keep the center drywall attached to the white paper front.

Keep the center area attached to the front of  drywall paper

Do the same for all 4 sides of your plaster patch. You will have only the center area still attached with a paper boarder. 

Drywall peels off quite easily from the center core.

Test fit your patch and make any correction if necessary. Prepare your plaster and trowel.

Ready to repair the drywall with a plaster patch and joint compound

Spread some drywall compound around the side of the area you want to patch. 

Prepare the damaged area with drywall compound

Cover the sides and the back of the plaster patch with drywall compound. Push the patch in the hole. It's a good idea to make sure the patch is slightly below the surface of the drywall to allow for additional drywall compound.

Add a fair amount of drywall compound to make sure you get good coverage

Start from the center of your patch with your trowel flat on the wall. Draw the trowel outward and squeeze the excess compound out at the same time making sure you have good contact between the paper and wall. Use some of the excess compound to cover the top of your patch. Keep in mind its better to use less compound and build up a flat surface with additional layers. Putting to much compound will result in cracks and require a lot of sanding.

Squeeze excess  drywall compound out using a plaster trowel

Add thin layer until you can no longer see the edges of your patch. Give it a final sanding and it's ready for primer paint.

Add thin layers of plaster and sand between layers

If you have any questions or need help with your project please ask. Thanks