
Drywall Ceiling Repair for Large Holes
- Cut a rectangle around the damaged area.
- Add wooden cleats behind each side for support.
- Attach a patch piece to the cleats.
- Place mesh tape over the patch piece and spread joint compound.
- Apply a second and third coat of the compound over repairs and then sand until smooth.
- Clean with a damp rag to remove dust; prime and paint the ceiling to match.
How to repair a drywall ceiling hole fast and easy?
Wall and Ceiling Repair Simplified: 11 Clever Tricks
- Cure for Chronic Cracks. Some cracks keep coming back no matter how well you repair them. For those pesky recurring cracks, we prescribe Good-Bye Cracks.
- Whole Wall Cover-Up. Some walls are so bad that the best fix is to tear them out and install new drywall. ...
- Chair Rail
- Bigger Cover Plates
- Texture in a Jar to Repair Cracks in Ceiling
How much does it cost to repair a ceiling?
Popcorn Ceiling Repair Cost
- Popcorn ceiling repair is a dirty process, and sometimes it's cheaper to install new drywall over an old popcorn ceiling that's heavily damaged.
- When changing to a new texture, popcorn ceiling removal costs $1 to $2 per square foot.
- Old homes built before 1970 may have popcorn made of hazardous asbestos. ...
How to repair a water damaged ceiling?
- Puttying the damaged places. Putty is mixed with water in the proportion of 1:3. Apply it to the damaged areas, level the seams, seal the cracks and fractures. ...
- Re-applying putty. Another layer of putty is applied to the ceiling surface and dried for several days.
- Painting. The best choice when repairing the ceiling is water-based paint. ...
Should you drywall the ceiling before the walls?
Yes, you should install drywall on the ceiling before the walls for multiple reasons:
- The drywall on the walls can support the ceiling pieces
- You can create tight and fitted corners more easily
- The pieces are easier and faster to work with from the top

How do I repair damaged drywall ceiling?
1:009:52How To Repair Sheetrock On Ceiling - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo when you actually cut around here you want a straight edge. So when you replace it with anotherMoreSo when you actually cut around here you want a straight edge. So when you replace it with another piece of sheetrock. You'll have a straight cut right.
Can you use drywall patch on ceiling?
5:3517:11Easy drywall ceiling patch - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's. Okay.MoreIt's. Okay.
How do you resurface drywall on ceiling?
8:3824:08How To Repair WATER DAMAGED DRYWALL CEILING- Step by StepYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGo mix up some mud uh 20 minute mud and use some fiberfuse drywall tape it's like a mat this is theMoreGo mix up some mud uh 20 minute mud and use some fiberfuse drywall tape it's like a mat this is the best tape for repairs.
Can you put new drywall over old drywall on ceiling?
For a ceiling that is cracked and possibly stained, a good method is to re-cover the entire ceiling with a new layer of drywall. By re-covering the entire surface of the ceiling it allows you to basically start over to achieve that nice smooth and even surface you want.
What do you use to patch a ceiling?
0:006:16How to Patch a Hole in the Ceiling | The Best Ceiling Hole Patch Is...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you want the easiest drywall patch you have to use this tape it's amazing.MoreIf you want the easiest drywall patch you have to use this tape it's amazing.
Can you use joint compound on ceilings?
Mix up a small batch of 20-minute setting-type joint compound to a peanut-butter consistency, mist the ceiling with water from a spray bottle—that ensures the compound will set properly—and apply a thin layer of compound to the ceiling with the taping knife.
When should you replace ceiling drywall?
How to Tell If Your Drywall Needs to Be ReplacedSagging Drywall – Drywall that appears to sag can mean it has absorbed an excessive level of water. ... Soft Drywall Feel – Drywall should feel hard and dry. ... Discoloration – Staining and discoloration of the ceiling drywall is an easy-to-spot indicator of water damage.More items...
How do you fix cracks in ceiling before painting?
How to Patch Cracks in a Ceiling Before PaintingScrape Away Loose Paint. ... Sand Over Cracks. ... Vacuum Up Dust. ... Apply a Layer of Patching Compound. ... Add a Second Layer of Compound. ... Sand and Vacuum Again. ... Scrape Away Loose Paint. ... Sand the Ceiling.More items...
What do you do if your ceiling has water damage?
Remove damaged ceiling materials and properly dry the area. For easier cleanup, put down drop cloths to catch all the debris. Wet drywall will crumble and should be rather easy to tear out completely. If it is only stained, you can cut out the damaged portion and replace it with a new piece of drywall.
Can you put two layers of drywall on ceiling?
Install the second layer of drywall on both the ceilings and the walls, with the sheets fitted at a 90-degree angle to the first layer. As with the first layer, cover the ceiling first before the walls. The ceiling screws and wall nails need to be longer to accommodate the extra thickness of the second drywall layer.
Is it OK to drywall over popcorn ceiling?
The perfect solution for an ugly ceiling First, remember that removing a popcorn ceiling is a really dirty job. Second, patching a hole is just, well, patching a hole. You should consider simply covering the whole ugly mess with a new layer of drywall instead. It's probably the easiest way to get the best results.
How can I cover my popcorn ceiling without removing it?
1:4213:34How To Cover Popcorn Ceiling Without Removing It - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI hold the taping knife into the corner at an angle. And then i drag it across the popcorn to evenlyMoreI hold the taping knife into the corner at an angle. And then i drag it across the popcorn to evenly distribute the joint. Compound.
How do you hide a patch on the ceiling?
0:581:41Ways to Cover Up a Hideous Ceiling - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnother way to hide an ugly ceiling is to simply install drywall. Now unlike the drywall we use onMoreAnother way to hide an ugly ceiling is to simply install drywall. Now unlike the drywall we use on our walls this stuff is a little thicker.
How do you touch up a ceiling?
0:552:54How to touch up spots or marks on painted walls or ceilings - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI'm just using a small brush and what I'll do is just stipple a bit of paint on top of the paintMoreI'm just using a small brush and what I'll do is just stipple a bit of paint on top of the paint spot. Just like so and when that dries you won't notice it.
Step 1
Get a drywall repair tool kit and the right materials before starting to repair a drywall ceiling. The kit should contain many of the tools listed above as well as other optional tools. It is best to be well prepared for any problems you can encounter while doing the repair.
Step 2
Learn to use a hand sander to correctly repair ceilings. Most repairs require that you do some sanding of the damaged area to ensure a smooth finish for priming and painting.
Step 3
Apply the drywall compound thinly, one coat at a time, until you have the desired coverage. Let each coat dry completely and use the sander after each coat to smooth out the repair area. By using this technique, you can avoid lumpy patched area.
Step 4
Repair a small hole in a ceiling by using a drywall saw to cut out the damaged area; then, with a utility knife, cut out a piece of drywall that will fit the hole dimension. Use drywall screws to secure the drywall to the joist.
Step 5
Scrape off any damaged paint area with a putty knife when repairing a textured ceiling. Use the hand sander to smooth the edges of the area then apply a thin coat of compound to fill in the area, let dry and sand again. Continue to Step 6 (for textured ceilings) or Step 7 (for ceilings without texture).
Step 6
Blend a repair with the surrounding ceiling texture by using one of various types of spray texture-repair kits. Repair kits are good for textured ceiling styles such as popcorn, splatter and knock-down. You can use compound with texture brushes or textured rollers on the repaired area to achieve the look of the surrounding ceiling.
Step 7
Prime and paint the repaired area to match the ceiling. It may be necessary to repaint the entire ceiling to get the desired match.
Why is my drywall sagging?
Usually, sagging, warped, moldy, or wet drywall is due to some source of moisture. If there's an attic above the damage, there's probably a problem with the roofing system. If the damage is below an upper floor, the problem is typically plumbing-related.
How deep should screws be set on drywall?
Space the screws every 7 or 8 inches along the edges, and every 12 inches in the middle of the panel. The screws should be set so they are slightly embedded below the face of the drywall paper face, though they should not go deep enough to break or tear the surface paper.
Can you move loose insulation?
Loose-fill insulation is easy to move, but a little messy. You can pile it up to the sides of the patch area, or scoop it up with a dustpan and place it in a garbage bag for temporary storage. Do not compress the insulation because this diminishes its insulating quality—keep it fluffy. Lee Wallender.
Can you cut out old drywall?
Make sure there are no wires or pipes in the area where you will cut out the old drywall . The edges of the drywall will be attached to ceiling joists, although you may encounter some hanging edges supported by a strip of drywall that bridges to the adjoining sheet.
Can you nail drywall in mid air?
In some instances, you will have no exposed joists on which to nail your new sheet of drywall. The edge of your drywall can't just hang out in mid-air; it has to be attached to something. The solution is to add nailing strips of 1x3, 2x2, or 2x4 lumber to the sides of the joists where the new drywall needs backing.
Tips
Follow these easy tips, and watch the video to make quick work of ceiling repair, ranging from cracks in the ceiling to nail pops, large holes and even removing popcorn ceilings.
How to Remove Popcorn Ceiling
No longer a fan of that popcorn ceiling? It's easier to remove than you might think. Follow these tips from our DIY Basics video: How Do I Remove Popcorn Ceiling?
Prep Work
Painted popcorn ceiling removal is challenging. Test a small area in a corner to see if your ceiling is painted or not.
How to keep a ceiling from cracking?
If the ceiling crack is near a wall, consider covering the wall with a plastic drop cloth to keep splatters off.
Can you fix a crack in the ceiling?
While repairing cracks on walls is pretty straightforward, it’s a bit more complicated with ceilings, which typically have some type of texture applied and are overhead, making the repairs a (literal) pain in the neck. By following a few time-honored techniques, a savvy homeowner can often successfully repair cracks in ceilings without too much ...
Can you dry wet drywall before applying a new coat?
DON’T shorten time for drying. Ceiling crack repairs made with wet drywall compound should be completely dry before another coating is applied. 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.
Can you cover popcorn ceilings with drywall?
Since this type of ceiling can actually reduce a home’s market value, this may be an excellent time to get 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.
Do you need a dust mask when sanding drywall?
DON’T forget to stay safe. Sanding drywall compound can create billows of dust, and a DIYer should wear a dust mask in addition to eye protection before tackling the task. In addition, when working overhead, use only a sturdy step ladder (no wobbly chairs or stools) in order to reach the ceiling. istockphoto.com.
Why is my ceiling sagging?
Sagging in a ceiling may be caused by undersized drywall. You either have to replace 1/2-in. drywall with 5/8-in. or add furring strips and a second layer of 5/8-in. drywall.
What is drywall that sags between joists called?
Ceiling drywall that sags between joists or trusses is sometimes called “pillowed” drywall. If your ceiling drywall is sagging between joists, sometimes called “pillowing,” it’s probably on the top floor and attached to the roof trusses.
