Filling holes in the wall

In short: Wall-plug holes, small cracks and dents in plaster or plasterboard can be closed inconspicuously with filler. With a little patience during drying and sanding, the wall will look smooth again afterwards.

In more detail: What matters is the right filler for the surface, a clean hole and working thinly in several layers. Larger damage or damp patches need more than just filler.

In detail

• Preparation: Pull out the wall plug, remove loose bits of plaster and dust the hole with a brush so that the filler adheres well.
• Watch out for cables and pipes: Before drilling out or widening a hole, check whether electrical cables or water pipes might run there and, if in doubt, use a cable and pipe detector.
• Choosing the material: Gypsum or ready-mixed filler from a tube or tub is suitable for interior walls; special moisture-resistant products are available for bathrooms and other damp rooms.
• Dampening: Very absorbent surfaces such as gypsum plaster can be lightly dampened or primed beforehand so that the filler does not dry too quickly and crack.
• Applying: Press the filler firmly into the hole with a filling knife and leave it slightly proud, as it can shrink a little as it dries.
• Deep holes: Fill larger holes in several layers and let each layer dry; holes in plasterboard are bridged with mesh tape or a repair patch if needed.
• Sanding: Once completely dry, sand flush with fine sandpaper while wearing a dust mask and safety glasses.
• Finishing: Filled areas absorb paint differently, so prime them before painting to avoid visible patches (wand-streichen-schritt-fuer-schritt, bohren-in-wand-duebel-richtig-waehlen).