How to Patch Texture on an Existing Wall

If you have a wall in your home that has texture on it, you've probably noticed how much more interesting the wall looks than a flat wall, and how the texture helps to hide any imperfections. You may also have noticed how the texture can be knocked off if something rubs against it. If you have areas of damage to the texture, you can redo those areas without redoing the whole wall. The trick is to match the paint in both color and texture, which can require some artistic creativity on your part.

Ladder
Drywall knife
Paint scraper
Paintbrushes
Textured paint (same style as on the wall)
Trowel

Instructions

- 1
  Use a drywall knife to scrape off the loose parts of the existing textured surface. Use a paint scraper to take the remaining surface down to bare, flat plaster or drywall. You should take off the existing texture as far back as necessary to get to a solid surface.
- 2
  Dab textured paint onto the wall in the first scraped-out area, using the drywall knife to apply it thickly over the whole span you scraped flat in Step 1.
- 3
  Use a trowel to work the textured paint, mimicking the existing surface. How you do this will depend on the nature of the existing texture. If it's in a series of small, random peaks, press the surface of the trowel into the paint and pull it straight down. If it's random lines set into the plaster, set them with the edge of the trowel. If it's a swirl pattern, set the trowel in the plaster and swirl it.
- 4
  Repeat this procedure for each area of the wall that you scraped out. Look at the work from a distance frequently as you're applying the textured paint to make sure the new texture is blending in with the old.
- 5
  Let the textured paint dry overnight.

Why Is My Room Humid?

How to Send Warm Water Down the Toilet Tank to De-Ice the Pipe

Interior Home Repair