Damage to the drum can occur when the drum is transported to a location or because of sudden changes in temperature or humidity. Hot and dry weather, for example, can cause a drum shell to crack. The resonance of a drum is partly determined by the integrity of the wooden drum shell. Cracks, holes, dents and nicks in the shell can decrease the resonance of the drum as well as compromise its structural strength and visual appeal. It is relatively simple to repair drum-shell damage using wood filler and epoxy.
Fill any small holes, dents and nicks in the drumshell with a wood filler such as DAP's Plastic Wood. Apply enough wood filler to completely fill the hole in the wood, with a little excess filler protruding beyond the surface of the drum. Wait for the wood filler and epoxy to dry completely.