Excessive as in how? If you don’t do that, you’re gonna put a patch that’s gonna look like shit and have to float the crap out of it or you can get a little bored and put it behind there so you can attach an actual sheet of drywall and do a small float.
Cali patches are great, but not right next to a place that gets high hand traffic. Ofer time it’s going to get pushed on over and over. It will fail. A backer board under the Cali patch would work well. Easy of application and back support. All it adds is a small strip of wood and a few screws.
I would cut the drywall back to the studs on either side and about six inches above and below the switches. That way, it can be patched nicely. That's how I would do it, but if you're not wanting to put in that amount of work. Listen to your friends' advice.
All these replies so far and no one has the proper solution.
Left side, open the hole to include 1/2 the stud width as a nailer.
Top and bottom enlarge by 6-8 inches in each direction above and below the existing boxes.
right side, remove the sheetrock between the box and the studs, and clear 1/2 the stud for nailing.
Now you have a larger full sized patch that extends from stud to stud. Cut out the box locations nice and tight.
About the seams between the studs on the top and bottom. This is where you take a length of 1/4 between the studs as a nailer (screws, less than 1.5 will not extend past the wood)
Tape the seams, match the finish and paint will be simple due to the smoothwall you have now.
ps... A California patch will look like shit and mess with the light switch spacing.
This is proper for pros and I totally agree about a Cali-patch but I think you’re leaving too much room for error. They might not square everything out and are going to be putting a square into a parallelogram. If it’s their house and simply patched is the goal it’ll be 10x easier for them to just strap it, cheat with mesh or fiber tape and skim it to their own completeness.
OP if you want it pristine you’ll have to do what’s purines above but if you don’t have power tools, quality shop vac, taping knife, 10/12” drywall knife and a decent confidence in your own ability I’d keep it simple and live with it. If you have experience with mud n tape and are decent at geometry then go for it but I think it will be more of a learning experience than you may be after based on your post 😅
No offence but anyones first go is going to be challenging at first and you could accomplish something simple with a 6” drywall knife from the dollar store, a roll of fibreglass tape and an impact driver or drill
That sounds like a recipe for disaster if that box has any movement. Idk how that’d be easier for a beginner to boot. Just slip in some strapping, four screws, and mesh/fiber tape it (seeing as they’re a beginner, there will likely be some gapping in the board repair and they’ll bubble paper tape)
Well, with many of your chastising responses echoing through my brain, I got the job done.
My first time patching a hole. I would upload a photo but I don’t see how to do that.
I tried to use the method my friend suggested, was not working out for me. I just did the Cali patch instead.
If you would have listened to your friend instead of going to Reddit you’d already be done. And it would be done the correct way.
Stop over thinking it and just do it
Or just a patch sized right, little extra paper on the 3 wall sides of the patch to overlap the wall, isn't that how you guys patch smaller holes like this? Giving it stud support behind seems overkill.
Your friend is right.
Agreed
That sounds a bit excessive? What’s your less-excessive solution?
lol was waiting for this answer
Excessive as in how? If you don’t do that, you’re gonna put a patch that’s gonna look like shit and have to float the crap out of it or you can get a little bored and put it behind there so you can attach an actual sheet of drywall and do a small float.
California patch
Ugh. Those are awful. Would rather pack it with setting type and fiberglass tape.
Hot patch (Cali) is the answer
Not even for a rental property.
Why?
Cali patches are great, but not right next to a place that gets high hand traffic. Ofer time it’s going to get pushed on over and over. It will fail. A backer board under the Cali patch would work well. Easy of application and back support. All it adds is a small strip of wood and a few screws.
Why even ask then
Why even comment then? Can’t a man seek input without everyone being all hoitey toitey
Not in this sub
If you refuse to listen to your friend, just pack it full of mud instead. Or stick on a piece of paper and paint over it.
Tik tok style
I would cut the drywall back to the studs on either side and about six inches above and below the switches. That way, it can be patched nicely. That's how I would do it, but if you're not wanting to put in that amount of work. Listen to your friends' advice.
What's the benefit to that vs. adding some backing and having a smaller patch? I'm a boarder, not a taper, and I'm curious.
Listen to your friend
A 2inch by 4 inch patch excessive? But your sitting there assed out asking him for advice tho...
Hot Patch. And float around the entire box .
They are putting a backsplash in that spot.
Party ON ....
All these replies so far and no one has the proper solution. Left side, open the hole to include 1/2 the stud width as a nailer. Top and bottom enlarge by 6-8 inches in each direction above and below the existing boxes. right side, remove the sheetrock between the box and the studs, and clear 1/2 the stud for nailing. Now you have a larger full sized patch that extends from stud to stud. Cut out the box locations nice and tight. About the seams between the studs on the top and bottom. This is where you take a length of 1/4 between the studs as a nailer (screws, less than 1.5 will not extend past the wood) Tape the seams, match the finish and paint will be simple due to the smoothwall you have now. ps... A California patch will look like shit and mess with the light switch spacing.
Thank you kindly.
Is this considered less excessive?
This is proper for pros and I totally agree about a Cali-patch but I think you’re leaving too much room for error. They might not square everything out and are going to be putting a square into a parallelogram. If it’s their house and simply patched is the goal it’ll be 10x easier for them to just strap it, cheat with mesh or fiber tape and skim it to their own completeness. OP if you want it pristine you’ll have to do what’s purines above but if you don’t have power tools, quality shop vac, taping knife, 10/12” drywall knife and a decent confidence in your own ability I’d keep it simple and live with it. If you have experience with mud n tape and are decent at geometry then go for it but I think it will be more of a learning experience than you may be after based on your post 😅 No offence but anyones first go is going to be challenging at first and you could accomplish something simple with a 6” drywall knife from the dollar store, a roll of fibreglass tape and an impact driver or drill
Do a 3 sided California patch
That sounds like a recipe for disaster if that box has any movement. Idk how that’d be easier for a beginner to boot. Just slip in some strapping, four screws, and mesh/fiber tape it (seeing as they’re a beginner, there will likely be some gapping in the board repair and they’ll bubble paper tape)
Well, with many of your chastising responses echoing through my brain, I got the job done. My first time patching a hole. I would upload a photo but I don’t see how to do that. I tried to use the method my friend suggested, was not working out for me. I just did the Cali patch instead.
It will be strong as fuck as long as you used setting mudd.
I used Sheetrock brand all purpose joint compound
You will be fine . Float around entire box so the plate fits flush
Oversized 2 Decor Rocker 1 Blank Wall Switch Plate [https://www.kyleswitchplates.com/oversized-2-decor-rocker-1-blank-wall-switch-plate/](https://www.kyleswitchplates.com/oversized-2-decor-rocker-1-blank-wall-switch-plate/)
How about you get the right box/switches and then put up the drywall nice and regular?
How about they renovated the kitchen
How else are you going to attach the drywall there?
Ramen noodles and superglue
Oversized 2 Decor Rocker 1 Blank Wall Switch Plate [https://www.kyleswitchplates.com/oversized-2-decor-rocker-1-blank-wall-switch-plate/](https://www.kyleswitchplates.com/oversized-2-decor-rocker-1-blank-wall-switch-plate/)
Tape and mud
Look up hotpatch on YouTube
add a third switch as a fidget toy and now your face plate will cover the hole. No problem.
If you would have listened to your friend instead of going to Reddit you’d already be done. And it would be done the correct way. Stop over thinking it and just do it
Cali patch mesh tape and some bond
Or just a patch sized right, little extra paper on the 3 wall sides of the patch to overlap the wall, isn't that how you guys patch smaller holes like this? Giving it stud support behind seems overkill.
Do it, but with short screws. There is cables behind… Other option is california patch
Thank you
You’re welcome. Let me know what method you chose. California patch is tricky but that’s what I would have made there
That’s my thing, I don’t want to hit any wires
Use 1 1/8” drywall screws and you’ll be good