how to repair ceiling drywall cracks

by Bobbie Pfeffer Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

How to Repair Drywall Cracks in Ceiling

Climb into the attic and remove the insulation from between the ceiling joists directly above the damaged drywall.
Drill a 3/16-inch-diameter hole down into the 1x3 strapping and through the drywall ceiling. Be sure to center the hole...
Now go down into the room below and locate the hole in the ceiling.

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Full Answer

How do you fix cracks in drywall?

How do You Fix Thin Cracks in Drywall?

Use the painter’s tape to protect the area, especially if the cracks are near any trim or woodwork. ...
Embed the tape over the crack and apply 1/8” bead of joint compound. Squeeze out the excess joint compound with the 6” putty knife and leave it to dry.
Once the joint compound has dried fully, use the putty knife to scrape off any rough spots. ...

How do you fix a crack in a ceiling?

Wall and Ceiling Repair Simplified: 11 Clever Tricks

Cure for Chronic Cracks. Some cracks keep coming back no matter how well you repair them. ...
Whole Wall Cover-Up. Some walls are so bad that the best fix is to tear them out and install new drywall. ...
Fast Patch Backing. ...
Mini Texture Gun. ...
Simplest Crack Solution. ...
Chair Rail. ...
Bigger Cover Plates. ...
Texture in a Jar to Repair Cracks in Ceiling. ...

How to repair settlement cracks in drywall?

DRYWALL INSTALLATION DETAILS / ERRORS
FOUNDATION SETTLEMENT / FROST HEAVES
FRAMING SHRINKAGE / QUALITY
MOISTURE EXPANSION / SHRINKAGE
SETTLEMENT / FOUNDATION DEFECTS
THERMAL EXPANSION / SHRINKAGE
PREVENT SIDE or BUTT JOINT CRACKS
PREVENT TRUSS ARCH CRACKS
RIDGING, GYPSUM BOARD GRC
TRUSS UPLIFT, ROOF - separate article

How to repair a large drywall hole in your ceiling?

Method 2 Method 2 of 3: Making Drywall Patches for Large Holes

Protect your eyes and mouth with safety goggles and a dust mask. This will keep drywall dust and debris from the hole from getting in your eyes or mouth.
Cut a drywall square that is 2 in (5.1 cm) bigger than the hole. [7] ... ...
Trace the outline of the patch onto the ceiling around the hole. ...

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How do you fix a crack in the ceiling?

Rather than applying standard paper or mesh drywall tape to the crack, brush on a thin coat of Elastopatch with a small brush—directly over a crack that's been filled with compound or spackling and then sanded smooth. One or two coats of Elastopatch is all it takes to form a flexible seal over the repaired crack.

How do you repair cracks in ceiling drywall?

To repair a crack in a ceiling: If your ceiling is drywall, you may have to add some screws to hold the two halves in place and make the crack even on both sides. Apply joint compound over the taped crack. Once the joint compound is dry, sand the ceiling smooth. Prime and paint the ceiling.

What is the best ceiling crack filler?

Toupret Fibacryl is a specialist flexible filler, which is suitable for filling and repairing movement cracks, problem cracks, and moving cracks on internal and external projects.

Is it normal for ceiling drywall to crack?

Drywall that hasn't been properly installed will often crack, and cracks in ceiling drywall usually aren't serious.

Can you put filler on ceiling?

But removing a light fitting can leave an ugly hole in your smooth ceiling. The answer? U-Can Smooth Ceiling Patch and Filler. The the simple, mess free way to repair and restore ceiling plaster.

Can you paint over hairline cracks in ceiling?

Can you paint over cracks in ceiling? Hairline cracks can be quickly fixed with a fresh coat of paint.

What do painters use to fill cracks?

1:091:54How to Fix Cracks and Holes Before Painting | Benjamin Moore - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou spackle or joint compound is filler.MoreYou spackle or joint compound is filler.

Can you caulk ceiling cracks?

Use an adhesive caulk, or a pliable caulk, to fill the cracks. Put a bead of this caulk in the joint and press it in with your fingers. It is the only thing that will fill such small cracks. Scrape off any remainder, and finish up by cleaning the crack with a damp sponge.

What is the best flexible filler for ceiling cracks?

Polycell Crack-Free Ceilings is a great way to restore cracked ceilings to a smooth 'good as new' finish. It's flexible paint formulation uses Polyfilla technology to not only cover cracks but prevent them from reappearing. A smooth and flexible paint, that permanently covers cracks and stains.

Should you tape ceiling cracks?

Homes naturally settle as they age, which can create crevices in the walls and ceilings typically above doors and windows as well as in corners. These superficial hairline cracks can usually be re-taped—but, if the house continues to settle, the cracks are likely to reappear in the same spots.

When should you worry about ceiling cracks?

Structural damage - Ceiling and wall cracks can be a sign of serious structural damage. This could be from subsidence or another ground movement. If the cracks are larger than 1/10 inch, they need to be looked at by a professional. Moisture damage - Moisture can also cause cracks in the ceiling or walls.

Why are cracks appearing in my ceiling?

Cracks that appear where a ceiling intersects a wall may be due to “truss uplift”. Roof trusses tend to move a little when there is a seasonal change of temperature or humidity. These fluctuations and changes may result in the trusses moving or shifting a little.

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...

When should you worry about cracks in ceiling?

Some of the cracks in ceilings to look out for are: large cracks accompanied by sagging ceilings. multiple cracks in different locations. hairline cracks or spiderweb cracks larger than 1/8th of an inch.

How do you fix hairline cracks in textured drywall ceiling?

How to Fix a Hairline Crack in a Textured Sheetrock CeilingLook for Water Damage. ... Use a Drywall Knife. ... Apply Drywall Primer. ... Place Drywall Tape Over the Crack. ... Coat the Tape With Drywall Joint Compound. ... Apply a Second Coat of the Joint Compound. ... Apply the Texture. ... Finish With a Few Touch Ups.

How do you know if a ceiling crack is serious?

Why does my ceiling crack?

Cracks in a drywall ceiling are caused by wood movement in the framing due to shrinkage of improperly dried lumber or seasonal changes in temperature and humidity.

What to do if drywall isn't firmly attached?

If the drywall isn’t firmly attached, drive drywall screws into the framing on both sides of the crack.

How to stop telegraphing through cracks?

A better solution is to apply drywall compound and tape over the crack to keep it from telegraphing through. Here’s how to go about it:

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.

Why does my ceiling drywall crack?

A problem with the drywall. If your drywall was improperly installed, it will often crack and cracks in ceiling drywall are usually not a major cause for concern. This commonly occurs when drywall joints are taped incorrectly. In other words, the installer did not use enough drywall mud when taping the joints, which prevents the tape from sticking. As the tape comes loose, the drywall cracks.

What causes cracks in the ceiling?

The age of your home. Over time, it’s inevitable that your home is going to experience normal wear and tear. This includes foundation settling, which occurs as a structure ages and often results in ceiling cracks, as well as floor and wall cracks.

Why does my ceiling have a straight line?

Cracks in the ceiling that are essentially a straight line are usually a result of improper taping or mudding during drywall installation. If not enough mud was applied, the tape cannot stick properly to the joints and will start to pull away, causing a crack in the plaster. Excessive humidity as well as foundational settling can also cause straight cracks.

Why does my roof have a crack in the ceiling?

If you have a crack in the spot between your ceiling and an adjacent wall, this is usually caused by truss uplift. Your roof trusses are designed to move and shift as the wood expands and contracts with changes in heat and humidity. It’s possible for the trusses to shift so much that it lifts the ceiling away from the wall. An intense windstorm can also cause the trusses to shift and result in the ceiling lifting away.

How to fix spiderweb cracks?

In most cases, all you have to do to fix spiderweb cracks is to sand off some of the existing compound and apply a fresh coat.

Why is my ceiling crack yellow?

A yellowish or brownish tinge at the edges of a ceiling crack is an indication of moisture damage. In this case, you’ll want to start looking for water where it should not be. Before you repair the drywall, you must locate and address the leak. Oftentimes, it’s best to hire a professional for these types of cracks and prevent the problem from getting worse.

Why does paint splinter when painting?

When walls have been painted over several times without removing the old paint underneath, problems can arise. As the old paint dries and curls, it causes the top layer to splinter and form these hairline cracks. On the other hand, changes in temperature and humidity can cause the plaster over drywall to contract or swell, resulting in small cracks.

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.