Chapter 1 — What You’re Actually Solving

Size your damage first — the repair method varies.

• Hairline crack (< 1/16”): spackle and paint.
• Nail pop (the screw or nail bulging a small bump): re-drive, spackle, paint.
• Small hole (< 1 inch, e.g. doorknob punch, screw dig): spackle or lightweight joint compound.
• Medium hole (1-4 inches, e.g. fist, chair back, doorknob): self-adhesive mesh patch + joint compound.
• Large hole (> 4 inches): cut out rectangle, install drywall patch with backer.
• Whole sheet replacement: separate project.