Pro tip: Don't use a 3/8 inch drill bit on a 1/4 inch toggle bolt anchor.

I was hanging a shelf in my kitchen and the whole thing ripped out of the drywall, taking a chunk with it. Anyone know a solid method for patching a 4-inch hole before I try again?

3 comments

3 Comments

johnson.daniel1mo ago

My buddy did something similar trying to mount a TV. He ended up with a hole you could almost fit your fist through. He got one of those mesh drywall patch kits, slapped it over the gap, and layered on joint compound. Took a few coats and a lot of sanding, but you can't even tell now. Just make sure you find a stud for that shelf next time.

william_carter1mo agoMost Upvoted

Why even bother with all that patching work? That mesh kit is a temporary fix at best. Over time, the compound can crack or bubble, especially if the wall gets bumped. You're better off cutting out a clean square and putting in a new piece of drywall. It takes the same basic tools and the result is actually solid, not just a bunch of mud hiding a hole.

wendy_jackson1mo ago

Fist-sized holes sound pretty bad but those mesh patches really do work... my landlord used one after I knocked a doorknob through the wall.