How to fill holes and cracks in your walls

Why should I use wall filler?

Your walls are bound to get some wear and tear. From holes left behind from wall plugs or TV brackets, to small cracks due to age, it’s a very common occurrence in most homes – and it’s easy enough to fill them in yourself with some wall filler. It’s all part of the prep before painting your walls or applying wallpaper – the smoother the surface, the easier your job will be!

Here’s what you’ll need for a pro finish:

• Filler – these come either ready-mixed, or in a powder form. Make sure you get a filler which is appropriate for the material you’re working with
• A scraper, knife or filler tool for applying the filler
• Sandpaper
• Sugar soap – if the wall is greasy or dirty
• Dust mask and eye protection

Step 1: prep and clean the area

Remove any debris from inside the hole or crack with a flat tool like a knife or scraper. If there are still wall plugs in your wall, carefully remove these with a pair of long nose pliers.

Brush off any dust, as it could hinder the filler and stop it from sticking effectively. If the wall is greasy, use a sugar soap to wash off any grime and leave it to dry fully before proceeding with filler.

Step 2: get your filler ready

We love ready mixed filler, because it’s as simple as popping the lid and getting to work! If you have powder filler, no problem – simply follow the package instructions and mix what you need into a separate bowl.

Remember that there are different fillers for different surfaces including interior, masonry and wood. Make sure you grab the right one for the job.

If you’re using filler outside, do it on a dry day. Rain can affect the filler and wash away all your hard work!

Step 3: apply your filler

Using your scraper or knife, press a small amount of filler into the hole or crack, repeating the process until the hole is filled completely. It should sit slightly proud of the surface once you’re done, but don’t worry – we’ll smooth that out later.

Top tip: use a wet knife to smooth your filler down

Step 4: leave to dry

The filler needs to dry completely before you do anything else, and it depends on what one you’re using – double check the packaging to see what they recommend.

Make a cuppa and pop the TV on while it dries.

Step 5: sand it smooth

Once the filler is completely dry, sand it with some sandpaper until the surface is smooth and level with the wall.

Repeat the process with any other cracks or holes, and your wall is ready for some primer! Need a refresher on the best way to paint your walls? It’s all in our guide to painting walls.

Filling deep holes

Most fillers will give you an indication on the depth that they work best at. For deeper holes, pick up a filler which fits the bill. They’ll usually recommend that you fill the hole in layers, letting it dry between each application.

If you’ve found a crack in your wall that’s large, damp, or getting worse, book in a pro to come over and assess the damage as it may be more serious.