Plasterboard Repair Guide: How to Fix Walls and Ceilings in Australia

Assess the Damage First

Before patching anything, determine the cause. A crack from house movement will re-crack unless the movement is resolved. Water damage must be traced to its source and fixed before any plastering. Mould in plasterboard means the affected sheet must be removed entirely — surface treatment is inadequate.

Small Holes (Under 50mm)

• 1 Self-adhesive fibreglass mesh patch applied over hole
• 2 Apply jointing compound in thin layers, feathering edges widely
• 3 3 coats of compound, sanding between each coat with 120-grit paper
• 4 Prime and paint to match — use the same sheen level as surrounding paint

Large Holes (Over 50mm)

• 1 Cut back to nearest stud or noggin on each side of the hole
• 2 Install blocking (timber nailed to inside of existing sheet) if no stud is accessible
• 3 Cut new plasterboard piece to exact size
• 4 Screw in place, tape joins with paper tape and jointing compound
• 5 3 compound coats, progressively wider feathering on each coat
• 6 Sand flat with 120-grit, then prime before paint

Nail/Screw Pops

Nail pops are a common issue as houses move with temperature and humidity changes. Simply re-driving the nail or screw deeper then covering with compound and painting is the correct repair. If pops are widespread and recurring, it may indicate framing movement that needs structural investigation.