You finally decide to refresh your walls with a new color, only to realize that the surface isn’t ready. The kids’ old poster tacks, a loose doorknob, or maybe a wall anchor from a heavy picture left behind a crater. These larger holes stare back at you, making your clean-paint dreams feel a little out of reach.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve seen every kind of wall damage imaginable in homes around Omaha, from thumbtack holes to full-on dents from furniture corners. Since 1996, our team has repaired, sanded, primed, and painted thousands of walls. The truth is, proper wall repair before painting matters as much as the paint itself.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to patch bigger holes before painting. We’ll answer the most common homeowner questions, explain what materials to use, and help you decide when it might be better to hire a professional. By the end, you’ll feel confident knowing how to achieve a smooth, lasting finish, without shortcuts that lead to visible repairs later.
A larger hole in your wall is anything you can’t simply fill with lightweight spackle in one swipe of a putty knife.
These typically include:
Smaller nail or screw holes can often be patched with quick-dry spackle, but larger ones require a little structure to hold the patch. Without the right base, your repair will shrink, crack, or show through the paint.
For holes up to about 6 inches wide, you can usually use a patch kit or a drywall repair compound with a mesh or metal patch. For anything beyond that, especially if there’s wall movement or structural damage, cutting a new piece of drywall might be necessary.
Here’s what you’ll need for most medium-sized wall repairs:
For Omaha homeowners, local hardware stores like Menards, Home Depot, or Ace carry ready-to-use patch kits that include most of these items.
Before you apply any product, clean and shape the hole. Paint won’t stick to loose debris, and filling over damaged edges can make the repair obvious later.
Follow these quick steps:
If your home has textured walls, note that you’ll need to reapply texture later for the repair to blend in.
Start with a smooth, flat surface and take your time; rushing this step is one of the most common DIY painting regrets.
When you run your hand across the wall, you shouldn’t feel where the patch starts or ends.
Yes, always prime. Skipping primer is one of the fastest ways to see your patch flash through the paint.
Joint compound absorbs paint differently than drywall, leaving a dull or uneven sheen in that spot. A quick coat of primer creates an even base and prevents that patch from standing out once painted.
If you’re using Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams paints, both offer self-priming options, but for patched areas, it’s still smart to spot-prime first. Omaha’s mix of humidity and temperature changes can make paint dry unevenly without proper sealing.
Yes, but matching texture takes some practice. If your walls have an orange-peel or knock-down texture, you’ll need to replicate that before painting.
There are aerosol texture sprays available in adjustable patterns. Test the spray on cardboard first, then lightly mist the repaired area until it resembles the existing texture. Once dry, lightly sand the top for a natural look and then prime before painting.
If you’re unsure how to blend the texture, a professional painter can usually fix it quickly; it’s one of those skills that looks simple but takes repetition to perfect.
Let the patch dry completely before applying primer or paint. If you paint too soon, moisture trapped in the compound can cause bubbling or peeling later.
Omaha homeowners often find that during humid months, drying takes longer, so patience pays off here. Use a small fan or dehumidifier to help speed up the process if needed.
If your hole is larger than about 6 inches, a mesh patch may sag or bulge. In that case, you’ll need to cut a square around the damage and install a small piece of drywall.
Here’s a simplified version of that process:
This takes more time but creates a seamless repair that will last through seasonal expansion and contraction—something Omaha’s freeze-thaw cycles can really test.
If you’re comfortable using a putty knife and have patience for sanding, small to medium repairs are doable for many homeowners.
However, hiring a professional can be worth it when:
Professional painters handle these repairs daily. They use the right compounds for the depth of the hole, ensure smooth transitions, and match the wall texture precisely. If you’re getting your interior painted, most companies—including Brush & Roll Painting—include patching as part of the prep process before applying paint.
Fixing larger wall holes before painting isn’t just about looks; it’s about giving your new paint job a strong, smooth foundation. A few extra steps now can save you from visible patches, uneven textures, or peeling later on.
At this point, you should feel confident identifying the right products, understanding when to prime, and knowing when to call for help if the repair feels overwhelming.
Brush & Roll Painting has helped Omaha homeowners prepare their walls the right way since 1996. Our goal isn’t just to paint, it’s to educate and help you make confident decisions about your home.
If you’re planning an interior painting project and want a smooth, professional finish from start to end, click the button below to get a quote.
If you are not ready to get too deep into your project, try our interior painting pricing calculator to explore your options.