Holes in walls happen for various reasons—whether it's from hanging a beloved picture or an angry fist finding a target. Recently, I read an article about a strange handyman hack that included using a bar of soap to fill a small hole in the wall. Years ago, I encountered another quick fix employed by a tenant who had moved out of a rental home. This person used a paper towel and adhesive to fix a pretty big hole in the wall. Back in college, students would use toothpaste to fill holes left by their décor.
Like me, you may be shaking your head at the creative yet impractical solutions to remedy holes in walls. Moving past the creativity, let's think about the reasoning behind some of these hacks. I can’t remember when I learned about spackle, but as long as I can remember, when I see a hole in the wall that needs patching,
I personally love the pink one that turns white upon drying. Of course, larger holes may require adding some screen tape or layering spackle to ensure an even surface.
So, for all the folks who haven't been exposed to the wonderful hole-fixing substance of spackle, let me share. Spackle can be found in any hardware store, typically located by the paint section. Even Walmart sells it, and it isn’t expensive. While toothpaste, glue, and soap may be handy at the moment, they aren’t permanent fixes and can potentially lead to points for water intrusion, pest entryways, and who knows what else. When you are faced with the decision of what to fix your hole with, please do your handyperson a favor and use spackle.
Quick Tips for Using Spackle:
Prep the Area: Clean the hole and the area around it to remove any loose debris.
Apply Spackle: Use a putty knife to apply spackle over the hole, pressing it in and smoothing it out.
Let it Dry: Allow the spackle to dry completely. If you’re using the pink-to-white spackle, wait until it turns white.
Sand and Smooth: Once dry, sand the area to make it smooth and even with the rest of the wall.
Paint Over: Touch up the patched area with paint to match the wall color.
For a permanent fix that ensures your walls stay intact and look great, always reach for spackle over household hacks. Trust us, your walls will thank you, and so will your future self!
As always, we are available for a helping hand
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