We had some drywall work done as part of a basement remodel and the
workers used "Zip It"-style fasteners and overly large screws when
installing the heat and cold-air vents.

When we removed the vents to have the ducts cleaned afterward, removing
the screws also removed the fasteners, leaving largish holes, about 1/2"
in diameter. I suspect that they over-tightened the fasteners, stripping
the holes.

Wandering the aisles of the local hardware and home-improvement stores,
I don't see anything that leaps out for plugging these holes such that
they'd reliably take short screws more suitable for the light job of
holding the vents in place.

I suppose I could just stuff the holes full of spackle or the like and
resign myself to re-patching the holes every few years as the stuff
crumbles.

Any suggestions for a more permanent fix?

--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN

On Mar 12, 2:07*pm, Bert Hyman wrote:
Any suggestions for a more permanent fix?

Spackle and use drywall tape. Finish as usual.

We had some drywall work done as part of a basement remodel and the
workers used "Zip It"-style fasteners and overly large screws when
installing the heat and cold-air vents.

When we removed the vents to have the ducts cleaned afterward,
removing the screws also removed the fasteners, leaving largish
holes, about 1/2" in diameter. I suspect that they over-tightened the
fasteners, stripping the holes.

Wandering the aisles of the local hardware and home-improvement
stores, I don't see anything that leaps out for plugging these holes
such that they'd reliably take short screws more suitable for the
light job of holding the vents in place.

I suppose I could just stuff the holes full of spackle or the like and
resign myself to re-patching the holes every few years as the stuff
crumbles.

Any suggestions for a more permanent fix?

Glue a thin piece of wood behind the hole. A paint stirrer will do, but
1/4" plywood would be better.

Fill the hole with wallboard compound. You'll have to do more than one
layer, since a hole that big will crack as it dries.

--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX USA

On Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:47:52 +0000 (UTC), "SteveBell"
wrote:


We had some drywall work done as part of a basement remodel and the
workers used "Zip It"-style fasteners and overly large screws when
installing the heat and cold-air vents.

When we removed the vents to have the ducts cleaned afterward,
removing the screws also removed the fasteners, leaving largish
holes, about 1/2" in diameter. I suspect that they over-tightened the
fasteners, stripping the holes.

Wandering the aisles of the local hardware and home-improvement
stores, I don't see anything that leaps out for plugging these holes
such that they'd reliably take short screws more suitable for the
light job of holding the vents in place.

I suppose I could just stuff the holes full of spackle or the like and
resign myself to re-patching the holes every few years as the stuff
crumbles.

Any suggestions for a more permanent fix?

Glue a thin piece of wood behind the hole. A paint stirrer will do, but
1/4" plywood would be better.

I'd put at least 1/4" plywood, perhaps even a 1x behind there. The
vent can then be screwed to that. Wall anchors then won't be needed
and the chance of the patch tearing out will be small.

The block of wood can be held up against the back of the wall with a
string tied off to something, even the opposite wall, as the joint
compound dries. After the first coat sets, cut the string and apply
another (usually three) coat of mud. Quick setting wall compound will
make short work of all this. I find it easier to use than the
pre-mixed stuff for small jobs.

Fill the hole with wallboard compound. You'll have to do more than one
layer, since a hole that big will crack as it dries.

A layer of the mesh tape over the top, appropriately feathered, will
give strength to the front surface. Since it'll be behind the vent it
won't take much to hide it. OTOH, if there is a nice block of wood
behind the wall to anchor the vent to, the surface won't take much
abuse and you can skip the tape.

On Mar 12, 5:55*pm, WDS wrote:
On Mar 12, 2:07*pm, Bert Hyman wrote:

Any suggestions for a more permanent fix?

Spackle and use drywall tape. *Finish as usual.

Oh, and use toggle bolts on the back for holding the screws in place.