DIY Projects - Filling holes & cracks

Once all the old wallpaper has been removed, the walls need to be made good. Any cracks, gaps or damage from stripping needs to be repaired.

Use a tube of filler to repair small holes and use a powder or ready mixed filler for large holes or cracks. When the filler has gone hard, sand down using a block of wood and some sand paper. Wash down the walls with sugar soap or a similar cleaner to remove dirt and traces of old adhesive.

Save some money and use an old margarine tub as a mixing bowl.

	Remove any loose pieces of plaster, then use a brush to dust the area before applying the filler.
	A powder filler is the cheapest method. Use a clean container for mixing the powder. To prevent lumps add the powder to a small amount of water, continue to add powder and mix until a creamy consistency is achieved.
	To check the consistency, get a small amount on the filling knife and holding the knife vertically over the mixing container, see if any paste falls off. If any paste falls back into the container, then add a little more powder.
	This small crack needs repairing, otherwise it will show through the new wallpaper. It is quicker to use a powder or a tub of ready mixed filler.
	This sort of damage, where a piece of plaster has broken away leaving a large hole, needs to filled using a powder or a tub of ready mixed paste.
	To fill large holes, apply the filler using a filling knife, If the hole is more than 10mm deep don't try to fill it in one go. Part fill it and when the filler is completely dry apply some more filler.
	Keep filling the hole until the filler is slightly proud of the hole. Wait until the filler is completely dry before rubbing down.
	Using a piece of fine glass paper wrapped around a rubbing block, rub down the repair until it is level with the surrounding area.
	If the hole is small insert the nozzle into or close to the hole and slowly squeeze the tube whilst withdrawing it from the hole.
	Keep squeezing until there is a small amount of filler proud of the hole. Wait until the filler is completely dry before rubbing down.
	Using a piece of fine glass paper wrapped around a block of wood, rub down the repair until it is level with the surrounding area.

Finally when all the repairs have been rubbed down, wash the walls with sugar soap to remove any traces of dirt or dust.

Cover your eyes if you are tempted to blow into the hole to remove the dust.