Construction Articles
How to Butterfly patch a hole in sheetrock
Start by squaring, or rounding, the broken edges of sheetrock to get the sides or circle of the hole even. Check the thickness of the sheetrock. Typically, it will be 1/4", 1/2" or 5/8" thick. Purchase the required sheetrock your local supplier.
On the face of the replacement sheetrock, the white side, and not too close to any edge of the board, draw a pattern that is one inch larger than the hole on all sides (e.g. If the hole is four inches by four inches, mark the sheetrock six inches by six inches ~ one inch extra on each side)
Cut out your pattern using a utility knife or anything that can cut a smooth edge. Flip the patch over and on the back side, the dark side, make a pattern that matches the hole in the sheetrock. Be sure to center it. It will be one inch narrower than the patch on all sides.
Score the pattern from the top of the patch to the bottom on all sides. DO NOT CUT THROUGH ALL THE WAY. Then, gently, snap off one side at a time while carefully rolling the gypsum center to the outside and leaving the face paper side intact.
To make sure the patch is a snug fit, simply trim as necessary. Now get a bucket of All Purpose Joint Compound and a four inch painters knife. Spread a liberal amount of 'mud' all around the opening. You can never apply too much but common sense, and about a quarter inch thick layer, will tell you what you need. Put the patch in the hole and softly run your finger on the edges to make sure contact has been made. Try not to 'push' the edges on as this may leave finger indentations that are difficult to get rid of.
Next, put a little mud on the edge of the knife. Then, holding your knife at approximately forty five degrees, work from the center out and squeeze all the excess mud back onto the blade. Remove any chunks, or major lines, that may be left on the patch. Then, go away. Let it dry for at least twenty four hours.
When it is dry, come back and lightly sponge the area with a moist sponge until is is fairly smooth. Then apply a second coat of mud in the same way as the first only go a little wider than before and make sure you fill the edges at the very outside of your patch. Leave it to dry, come back, sponge, and apply the final coat. Let the final coat dry, come back and sponge. At this point, if you see any blemishes you can't live with, fill them in or sponge them out. When that's dry, you're ready for paint.