How To Fix Cracks In Plaster Ceilings

The Do's and Don'ts of Ceiling Repair

Cruddy ceiling cracks detract from any room's look, merely, fortunately, repairing them is often a DIY projection.

ceiling repair

istockphoto.com

Cracks appear in drywall and plaster for several reasons, from normal settling of the business firm, to faulty workmanship, roof truss uplift, or water leaks. While repairing cracks on walls is pretty straightforward, it's a fleck more complicated with ceilings, which typically have some type of texture applied and are overhead, making the repairs a (literal) pain in the cervix. By post-obit a few time-honored techniques, a savvy homeowner tin often successfully repair cracks in ceilings without too much trouble. The flim-flam is knowing what to do offset, what tools to apply, and recognizing whether it'southward time to call in the professionals.

Exercise pinpoint the cause of the crack.

Sometimes, the cause of a ceiling crack is credible, such as visible water stains on the ceiling, which indicates a leak caused the joint chemical compound to soften and cleft. A fragile spider web of hairline cracks is often the result of applying joint compound also thickly, which resulted in shrinkage and the development of cracks as it dried. Earlier tackling this ceiling repair, correct the cause of the cracks, such as fixing leaks to preclude cracks from recurring.

DON'T go along without a plan.

Depending on the type of ceiling texture and the extent of the crack, ceiling repairs might involve removing some of the texture to make the repair and then patching the ceiling with a product that matches the balance of its surface. Rather than smearing some spackle into the scissure with a finger (which sometimes works!), consider whether retexturing or painting will be necessary to requite the ceiling a finished await subsequently the crevice repairs are complete. For the best results, consider all aspects of the project and the desired result.

RELATED: 9 Ceiling Types You'll Encounter in Homes

DO consider popcorn ceiling removal.

All the rage in the 1960s and 70s, popcorn ceilings that still survive today are oft dust and grime collectors, and any type of fissure repair is probable to stick out similar a sore thumb. Since this blazon of ceiling can actually reduce a home'due south market value, this may exist an excellent fourth dimension to go rid of the texture or cover it up with drywall panels or rigid foam panels. Popcorn ceilings installed before 1978 may contain asbestos, so it's vital to find out what type of popcorn texture is on your ceiling before making repairs. It's usually better to have an asbestos-remediation expert remove a popcorn ceiling that contains asbestos.

ceiling repair

istockphoto.com

If the fissure is a very thin hairline—and it'due south been at that place for a while—odds are you lot can just put a picayune spackling on a finger and smear it carefully into the cleft, taking intendance to wipe away residuum from the surface. More ofttimes, however, the crack volition be larger, or the ceiling will have multiple cracks. When this is the example, using the right tools and materials will provide the best results. A 6-inch taping pocketknife works well for removing loose ceiling texture and peeling paper. A minor tub of premixed drywall mud is necessary for filling the cracks, and using mesh or paper drywall tape to reinforce the compound is helpful. A drywall sanding sponge comes in handy for smoothing the surface after the mixture dries.

ceiling repair

istockphoto.com

Get a pro to do information technology for you lot

Receive gratis, no-commitment estimates from licensed contractors near you lot.

Exercise protect the walls and floor.

Wet drywall chemical compound has a way of dripping everywhere when you're working overhead, so have steps to protect walls, the floor, and any other items in the room. Lay downwardly a canvass tarp on the floor (plastic drop cloths can go wet and dangerously slippery), and cover whatever furniture with lightweight plastic drop cloths to avoid ruining them. If the ceiling crack is nearly a wall, consider covering the wall with a plastic drop textile to keep splatters off.

DON'T shorten time for drying.

Ceiling cleft repairs made with wet drywall compound should be completely dry before some other coating is practical. The general rule-of-thumb here is to apply the mixture in the thinnest coat possible, making sure to remove excess with a taping knife. When completely dry, the compound will turn a bright white color. At that betoken, it can be sanded down and recoated.

DO endeavor a flexible patching compound.

If you've repaired a crack in ceiling drywall before, merely to have the crack reappear a few weeks or months afterwards, consider sealing the ceiling repair with a flexible product such as Elastopatch Polish Flexible Patching Chemical compound (available from Amazon). Rather than applying standard newspaper or mesh drywall tape to the crack, brush on a thin coat of Elastopatch with a small-scale brush—directly over a crack that'south been filled with compound or spackling and and so sanded smooth. One or two coats of Elastopatch is all it takes to form a flexible seal over the repaired scissure.

DON'T forget to stay condom.

Sanding drywall compound can create billows of grit, and a DIYer should wear a grit mask in addition to middle protection before tackling the task. In addition, when working overhead, use only a sturdy step ladder (no wobbly chairs or stools) in club to reach the ceiling.

step ladder

istockphoto.com

RELATED: xi Scenic Ideas for a Forest Ceiling

DO add a finishing affect.

Repaired cracks can look nearly every bit bad as the cracks themselves if the repairs don't match the residue of the ceiling. Ceiling patch repair products are available in sprays and semi-liquids for applying with a sponge—be sure to get one that matches the ceiling'southward texture. Painting the ceiling is also an option, in which case, look for a loftier-hiding ceiling paint in a neutral colour.

DON'T skip other ceiling updates.

Once the ceiling repair is complete and the ceiling texture has been patched, a dated low-cal fixture or a rusty return-air vent can mar the new expect. Consider replacing an one-time light fixture with a new 1, and supplant an onetime vent—or at least clean it and give it a fresh coat of paint—to requite the whole room a fresh new await.

istockphoto.com

Get a pro to do it for y'all

Receive free, no-delivery estimates from licensed contractors near yous.