Tips for Ceiling Crack Repair

Drywall Repair and Painting 317-454-3612

Drywall Repair and Painting 317-454-3612

Everyone would probably agree that a home is an important and valuable asset. For this reason, it is important to protect properties from wear and tear. One common household repair that arises overtime are ceiling cracks. Ceiling cracks are important to repair if you wish to add a fresh coat of paint or improve the surface appeal of ceilings.

No matter what project you have on deck, a few ceiling cracks are nothing to fret about. A small portion can be easily repaired on your own, however, larger areas of ceiling cracks will probably require professional repair service. A good way to gauge this is by count. If there are more cracks than you can count, then you are most likely better off hiring a professional contractor.

Repairing Ceiling Cracks

Ceilings can be made of plaster or drywall. They each require a separate approach for repairing cracks, so it is crucial to know which material your ceilings are made of before getting started. Here is a step by step instruction guide for repairing ceiling cracks in both plaster (P) and drywall (D) ceilings:

Step 1

Plaster: Scrape loose paint and plaster fragments out of cracks with a screwdriver or 5in1 tool. Then widen cracks to ¼ an inch to hold a sufficient amount of patching compound.

Drywall: Use a 1 inch putty knife to scrape any loose paint or material around the cracks. Do not widen cracks.

Step 2

P: Use 100-grit sandpaper to smooth out the edges of the cracks.

D: Do the same for drywall ceilings.

Step 3

P: Remove all sanding dust and debris with cloth or vacuum.

D: Cut up pieces of fabric tape to a length that is a ½ an inch longer than the cracks. For winding cracks, use several small pieces to create one uniform piece.

Step 4

P: Using a plaster-repair or spackling compound, spread a layer of patching compound into the ceilings cracks with a 1” putty knife. Allow to dry for a minimum of 5 hours.

D: Using drywall mud or patching compound, spread a thin layer into cracks with a 3” putty knife. Spread out the material to a once inch circumference around the crack.

Step 5

P: Using 200-grit sandpaper, sand the dried material and cracks smooth.

D: Gently press the pieces of fabric tape onto to the wet compound with fingers and then smooth them out with 3” putty knife. Allow to dry for a minimum of 5 hours.

Step 6

P: Apply a second, thinner, and broader layer of compound over the cracks and adjoining paint. This reduces compound shrinkage problems and gives a smoother more uniform look. Allow to dry for a minimum of 5 hours.

D: Using 200-grit sandpaper, lightly sand edges of dried cracks.

Step 7

P: Using 200-grit sandpaper, sand the dried material and cracks smooth. Remove all sanding dust and debris with cloth or vacuum.

D: Apply a second, thinner, and broader layer of compound over the cracks and adjoining paint. Allow to dry for a minimum of 5 hours. Remove all sanding dust and debris with cloth or vacuum.

Restoration By L & B, LLC

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for professional ceiling repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, Lee Elliot, is a licensed general contractor that can provide a wide range of home and commercial remodeling services. We offer residential and commercial remodeling, restoration, renovation, and repair services at the most competitive prices in town. Call 317-454-3612 for drywall repair, painting services, and ceiling crack repair in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.

Recommended Brands of Paint for Interior and Exterior Projects

Indianapolis Painting Contractors 317-454-3612

Indianapolis Painting Contractors 317-454-3612

Interior and exterior painting projects require three components to render a fabulous result: Proper preparation, skilled workmanship, and quality paint. The first two components are a bit more complicated, and quite possibly require the services of a professional painting contractor, but the ladder component is something any homeowner can achieve on their own.

Finding the right paint color is not the most effective trick to a great paint job, but rather the quality of the paint. Higher quality paint provides longer luster, easy maintenance, streak-free finishes, and requires less coats. They also come in “all-in-one” options, including primers and seal coats, for faster and easier projects. Low quality paints will require many coats and may not look smooth or professional in the end. Continue reading to learn more about quality paint and which brands are most recommended in the industry.

Exterior Painting

Be sure to match the right sheen or gloss level for exterior paint jobs. It is suggested to use eggshell, flat, or satin finishes for things like siding, while trim and doors should be painted with a gloss or semi-gloss finish to add appropriate contrast. Here are a few of the most recommended exterior paint lines and brands on the market:

1. Sherwin-Williams Duration
$45 to $70 per Gallon
One Coat Coverage
Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)
Durable and Long-Lasting

2. Behr Premium Plus
$25 to $35 per Gallon
Quick Dry
Stain/Mold/Mildew Resistant
Low VOC

3. Benjamin Moore
$45 to $80 per Gallon
Low VOC
Self-Priming
Mold/Mildew Resistant

Interior Painting

When it comes to interior paint jobs, it is important to match the appropriate gloss level to achieve your desired finish. This is because the gloss level can alter the perception of color. Flat paint finishes absorb light, while glossier paints reflect it. This means flats will appear darker, and paints with higher gloss levels will appear brighter. Try using semi-gloss finishes for bathrooms and kitchens, flats for low-traffic areas like hallways, and eggshell or satin for bedrooms and living rooms. Getting this ratio right means all the difference in your end results, however the quality of interior paint matters as well. Here are some recommended interior paints to use:

1. Benjamin Moore Aura
$50 to $70 per Gallon
Low VOC
Self-Priming
Mold/Mildew Resistant

2. Sherwin-Williams Duration
$45 to $70 per Gallon
One Coat Coverage
Low VOC
Lifetime Warranty

3. Behr Premium Plus Ultra
$25 to $35 per Gallon
Stain/Mold/Mildew Resistant
Low VOC
Easy to Clean

Professional Painting Services in Indianapolis

Home Repair Service 317-454-3612

Home Repair Service
317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for professional interior and exterior painting services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and professional general contractor, Lee Elliot, and his team of highly trained and qualified painters, are fully-equipped and experienced to render flawless and professional painting services for residential and commercial properties. Call 317-454-3612 for quality exterior and interior painting services in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.