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Repair Drill Holes on Walls

I 've never patched up or repaired a drill hole, until last week. I've drilled holes for screws before in our house in Manila, but I never got the chance to fix them. Never needed to actually. Well, this time as expatriates in Switzerland nearing repatriation, it's different. Since we're leaving the apartment in a month's time, our relocation partner advised us to repair the holes. If we didn't repair it, the insurance for the house might not pay for the repair due to intent to damage, also if we attempted to repair it but  didn't do it well (e.g. smudges, high contrasting color of plaster against wall), still the insurance won't cover it or at the least shoulder part of the repair cost. But if we did it well, the owner won't charge it at all.  "Repair it neatly" said our relocation partner. "Ok" I said, but in my mind "How...".

Fortunately, the same relocation partner sent a representative of a cleaning company to do an inspection of our house. They (cleaning company) were not hired to repair drill holes on walls though, the task was mine. I just took a chance and asked the Swiss local how. Below is how he described the process in just four easy steps.

Materials :

1. Plaster in tube - Easier to apply when applying in holes. MAKE SURE IT DRIES UP with the same colour as your wall (Click picture at left to enlarge)
   
2. Flat and Phillips (Star) Screwdrivers - Depending on the screwhead
   
3. Long Nose Pliers, Regular Pliers, or Wire Clippers - Depending which is effective and will not cause damage to the wall plugs or the surrounding area
   
4. Small Wire - To be used for cleaning the hole of dust and drill debris and also for cleaning excess plaster and making the filled plaster blend with the wall
   
5. Tissues - To clean excess plaster of the small wire tool. NOT to be used for cleaning the excess plaster!
   

Step 2

Clean the hole of drilling debris and dust

Step 1

Remove hooks and screws with screwdriver and remove wall plugs with long nose pliers or wire clippers (whichever works better)

Step 3

Press the plaster into the hole. Make sure to fill the hole beyond the opening

Step 4

Using the small wire, remove the excess plaster and wiping THE WIRE with the tissue. Do NOT wipe and smudge the plaster over the surrounding wall. While removing the excess gently press/guide the plaster over the rim of the hole. 

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