What To Use When Patching Indoor And Outdoor Home Repairs:

Below are materials that are essential for both indoor and outdoor repairs. You can also buy specially formulated patching materials, such as glazing compound for window glass; vinyl, epoxy or latex concrete; grout for ceramic-tile joints; stucco patching compound; butyl gutter seal; mortar for brick joints; and plastic metal fillers. However blow is a list of must haves for any home owner.

Wood Putty: Wood putty is available in both stick or paste form. Wood Putty fills gouges, cracks and nail holes in wood. Putty can be sanded and painted over to hide any signs of a touch up or repair. Wood Putty comes in a multiple rang of colors to match most woods, but you may have to add extra coloring to the putty and bend to matching particular finishes.

Plaster Fills: Plaster Fills allow you to patch large or deep holes and cracks in plastered or gypsum walls. 

Spackling Compound: Spackling compound fills small cavities, narrow cracks, and nail holes within your walls.

 

Patching Cracks in Plastered Walls

Patching a crack and hole:

Fine cracks, nail holes, and small cuts in plaster walls usually can be repaired with spackling compound.

To patch a wide cracks or hole apply two layers of patching plaster fills plus a layer of fine textured finishing plaster. The first layer should lay more than half the depth of the hole, leaving enough space for the next tow layers. Let each layer need to be dried completely before adding the next layer.

To fill a hole without a base you’ll have to install a metal mesh or a ready made patch before adding the plaster fills.

 

Finishing the patch:

Matching an existing texture requires the treatment of the still-wet finishing plaster. You’ll have to experiment with the wet plaster to achieve a good match.

For a smooth surface, pull a metal gloat or wide putty knife dipped in water across the plaster. When the plaster is dry, sand to remove minor imperfections then prime and paint.

For textured surfaces, use a paintbrush, household sponge,  or a wire brush. Coat or swirl the plaster in a uniform random or overlapping pattern. To make peaks in the plaster use a brush or a tool with bristles. Once peaks start to stiffen up, gently drag a clean metal float over the surface of the plaster to smooth out the peaks. Once the plaster is dry, prime and paint.