Normal wear and tear can take a beating on your walls. If you have kids or pets your walls are surely in need of repair. Add to that dents and holes from hanging many pictures and you may need to repair an entire wall. There are minor things you can do to your wall or, for a major damaged wall you may need to know how to drywall and start from scratch. Here are some tips to help you.

Don't just assume that you have to replace your drywall. There are many things you can do to make your walls look like new. You can cover your walls with fabric or wallpaper or with a few tools and plaster you can fix what you have. If your walls are showing minor wear then it's better to repair them sooner than later so they don't get to the point where you must replace everything.

First "clean up" the wall by using a scraper to remove chipping paint and any excess paint. Use course grit sandpaper to smooth out and remove any excess buildup of paint. Wipe down your wall with a damp sponge or rag to ensure there is no dirt or dust or else spackle and paint won't adhere to it. Fill in holes using spackle and a putty knife. Use a large putty knife if you have large holes to ensure the filler will be even. Wait for the spackle to dry, sand it, and then apply other coats until it is flush with the wall. After everything is dry you're ready to paint.

For more serious damage to your wall, you'll need to start from scratch and know how to install drywall. It isn't difficult but it does take more patience and time. You'll need a few more tools including a hammer, cutting knives, t-squares, compound, drywall tape and trowels.

Measure out the area you need to apply drywall and buy enough material for your project. Remove any old drywall and cut the new drywall to fit the required area. Use a t-square, score the drywall and break off the excess. Start from the top and work your way down so that the horizontal seams are at the bottom of the wall. Affix the drywall to the studs using special nails or screws. Make sure the seams are as small as possible. Once all of the drywall is hung, tape the seams and apply the compound using a trowel and putty knife. Also use the compound to cover over dents from the screws or nails.

Wait about 24 hours for the compound to dry and then smooth out the wall using a putty knife and sandpaper. Repeat the compound application two or three more times. For finishing drywall mudding, use fine grit sandpaper to make the wall as smooth as possible. Wipe dust and dirt off with a damp towel or sponge. Once it's dry, you're ready to apply paint.