Superficial Drywall Ceiling Crack Repair Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          30 minutes - 2 hours

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Superficial Drywall Ceiling Crack Repair
5 steps

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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Superficial Drywall Ceiling Crack Repair

Use a utility knife or five-in-one to remove loose paint or drywall from inside the crack.
Don’t gouge the ceiling but firmly scrape parallel to the crack. Scraping perpendicularly to the crack will only cause more damage.

Use a utility knife or five-in-one to remove loose paint or drywall from inside the crack.

Don’t gouge the ceiling but firmly scrape parallel to the crack. Scraping perpendicularly to the crack will only cause more damage.

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Step 2

Use mesh tape to tape over the crack.
Try to use long pieces of tape, if possible taping the entire crack with one piece.
It is also important to keep each piece of tape centered on the crack.

Use mesh tape to tape over the crack.

Try to use long pieces of tape, if possible taping the entire crack with one piece.

It is also important to keep each piece of tape centered on the crack.

Step 3

Use either a five-in-one or a putty knife to spread the compound.
Spread drywall joint compound over the tape so that it appears flat.
Use more joint compound than you need rather than less. You will sand off excess later.
Make sure to cover the tape completely.

Use either a five-in-one or a putty knife to spread the compound.

Spread drywall joint compound over the tape so that it appears flat.

Use more joint compound than you need rather than less. You will sand off excess later.

Make sure to cover the tape completely.

Step 4

After the compound has completely dried sand down any ridges that resulted from the putty knife.
This step will be messy! Everything in the room will get some dust on it, so either use dropcloths or be ready to clean when you’re done.
Also, be careful not to get dust in your eyes, or inhale dust. You may wish to wear goggles and a dust mask.
Don’t sand into the tape.
You still want the compound to cover the tape and its contours completely.

After the compound has completely dried sand down any ridges that resulted from the putty knife.

This step will be messy! Everything in the room will get some dust on it, so either use dropcloths or be ready to clean when you’re done.

Also, be careful not to get dust in your eyes, or inhale dust. You may wish to wear goggles and a dust mask.

Don’t sand into the tape.

You still want the compound to cover the tape and its contours completely.

Step 5

Prime and paint the ceiling.
Use a primer and paint that has been matched to your ceiling by a paint shop.
The primer can be any color that is the same or lighter than your ceiling color.

Prime and paint the ceiling.

Use a primer and paint that has been matched to your ceiling by a paint shop.

The primer can be any color that is the same or lighter than your ceiling color.

It is important to note that a crack in drywall may indicate a more critical problem with the framing in your walls or ceiling. Please do not assume that this repair will prevent further cracking.

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                                                                                      23 other people completed this guide.

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                                      with 5 other contributors

                    Austin Hochstetler

Member since: 04/09/2015

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                       Cal Poly, Team 30-1, Green Spring 2015                        

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                                            6 Guides authored

kjratatat - Mar 17, 2016

Is it ok to remove the excess compound and smooth with a damp sponge?

James Van Damme - Mar 19, 2016

I just rocked my third ceiling. The first looked like “before” in some spots; the next 2 are flawless. The secret is to put on very thin layers, and lots of them. Of course this takes a long time to dry each coat. But if you put the mud on thick it will shrink and crack later, plus you have a lot to scrape off and then you still have to fill in low spots.

If you use a sponge first, you can end up with a lumpy mess. Level it with a 12 inch knife until it’s nearly flat, then on the last coat skim it over and smooth with the sponge.

Gloria Smith - Sep 8, 2019

My popcorn ceiling has peeled. I took away those rough edges. Can I spray on the popcorn ceiling. It’s just small sections.

GCots - Apr 14, 2020

If I was to buy compound from Home Depot or lowe’s, what would I be looking for? Is there a brand that is recommended?

Introduction#

What you need#

Team#

Introduction

What you need

Team