Drywall Repair End-to-End: Patch, Tape, Mud, Sand, Prime, Paint
The tenant moved out, the wall has a fist-sized hole. A contractor quote: $400. Your time: 90 minutes plus drying time. Here's the end-to-end process every landlord should own.
Small holes (under 1 inch — anchor pulls, doorknob dents)
Squeeze a dab of lightweight spackle into the hole with a finger, smooth flush with a 4-inch blade, sand after dry, paint. Total time: 15 minutes.
Medium holes (1–6 inches — door-knob through, towel rack)
Use a self-adhesive mesh patch over the hole, two thin coats of all-purpose joint compound (12 hr between coats), sand smooth, prime, paint.
Large holes (6+ inches — needs a drywall plug)
Cut a square around the hole. Score the back of a drywall scrap larger than the hole, snap to fit. Add a backing board (1×2 wood screw across the back). Screw the plug in. Tape the seams, three coats of mud, sand, prime, paint.
Blending texture (orange peel / knockdown)
Rent a hopper gun + compressor for $30/day OR use a spray can of orange peel ($15). Practice on cardboard first — texture is the hardest part to make invisible.
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Start free trialCommon questions
QWhat's the deadline to file rental income to the CRA?
Rental income is reported on the T776 form filed with your personal T1 return. The deadline is April 30 of the year after you earned the income (June 15 if you're self-employed, but any balance owing is still due April 30).
QDo I need to charge GST/HST on rent?
Long-term residential rent is GST/HST-exempt. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are taxable once you exceed the $30,000 small-supplier threshold across all your business activities.
QCan I deduct mortgage payments?
You can deduct the interest portion (and most carrying costs) of your mortgage on a rental property, but NOT the principal repayment. Central Rentals splits this automatically inside your T776 export.