Large hole in drywall...how to cover, but not repair?
Question:We had a hole cut in the wall of a closet yesterday to allow a plumber access to the back side of the water heater, it was suggested that we not repair the wall but simply cover the hole in case access is ever needed again. We have no idea what to cover it with and simply have cardboard taped over it right now. We need to use something that will stay in place, not get damaged and can be removed. Any suggestions will be helpful, as this is a minor emergency since this closet is in my little girls room and we just found out there is a squirrel running around in the attic. I really don't want it in the main house.
Answers:
Depending on the size try to cover it with a cabinet door (you can get a cheap one at home improvement store), use hingesto hold it on so it can be opened again if you have anymore plumbing problems.
3/8 plywood, drywall screwed into wall.
Since you have a squirrel problem...then you should board it up...
Once that is solved, you could put up a picture or put a small dresser or something in front of it.
You could screw another piece of drywall over it, paneling, a picture, use your imagination!
How big of a hole? For a plumber to have access I guess pretty big.
Maybe hang a quilt or an afghan or a throw over it. decorative type of tapestries are really inexpensive at places like target.
If it's in a closet and no one will see, why not just a shower curtain?
i have seen covers before over holes in walls for just the same reasons. However i don't remember what they are made out of. They look like a piece of drywall with a frame around it all painted the color of the wall so it sort of blends in. You can probably go to Home Depot or Lowes and tell them what you are doing and they can point you in the right direction. Measure the hole before you go.
If the hole is square, I would cut a piece of plywood to fit it and attach it with hinges, and make some kind of latch to keep it shut.
The only thing that will look 100% better is to repair it, if you're not worried about how it looks since it is in a closet, I don't see anything wrong with leaving the cardboard there. Or maybe put a mirror or a shelf in the closet.
Fixing it really isn't all that hard. Cut the hole out to make a square in the wall. Then cut a like-sized piece of drywall from a new sheet and plaster it in with mud and tape. I think you can get clips that will hold it in place - go to home depot. Since it's in the closet, you really don't even need to sand it down and paint it.
most folks use a simple 3/8" or 1/2" painted plywood square.
you could buy a real metal access panel which would look better and open on hinges so you wouldn't have to unscrew it every time you wanted in.
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