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.