How To Repair Drywall Crack Between Wall And Ceiling
The Do'due south and Don'ts of Ceiling Repair
Unsightly ceiling cracks backbite from whatsoever room's look, but, fortunately, repairing them is ofttimes a DIY projection.
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Cracks appear in drywall and plaster for several reasons, from normal settling of the firm, to faulty workmanship, roof truss uplift, or water leaks. While repairing cracks on walls is pretty straightforward, it's a flake more than complicated with ceilings, which typically have some type of texture applied and are overhead, making the repairs a (literal) pain in the neck. Past post-obit a few fourth dimension-honored techniques, a savvy homeowner can often successfully repair cracks in ceilings without too much trouble. The trick is knowing what to practise first, what tools to use, and recognizing whether information technology'due south time to call in the professionals.
Do pinpoint the cause of the scissure.
Sometimes, the cause of a ceiling crack is apparent, such as visible water stains on the ceiling, which indicates a leak caused the joint compound to soften and crack. A frail spider web of hairline cracks is often the result of applying joint compound too thickly, which resulted in shrinkage and the development of cracks as it dried. Earlier tackling this ceiling repair, correct the crusade of the cracks, such as fixing leaks to forbid cracks from recurring.
DON'T proceed without a plan.
Depending on the type of ceiling texture and the extent of the crevice, ceiling repairs might involve removing some of the texture to make the repair and then patching the ceiling with a product that matches the rest of its surface. Rather than smearing some spackle into the fissure with a finger (which sometimes works!), consider whether retexturing or painting will be necessary to requite the ceiling a finished look after the crack repairs are consummate. For the best results, consider all aspects of the project and the desired outcome.
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Practise consider popcorn ceiling removal.
All the rage in the 1960s and 70s, popcorn ceilings that yet survive today are often dust and grime collectors, and any type of crevice repair is probable to stick out like a sore pollex. Since this blazon of ceiling can actually reduce a home's market value, this may be an fantabulous 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'southward vital to find out what type of popcorn texture is on your ceiling earlier making repairs. It's usually improve to accept an asbestos-remediation good remove a popcorn ceiling that contains asbestos.
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If the cleft is a very thin hairline—and information technology'southward been there for a while—odds are you lot can simply put a little spackling on a finger and smear information technology carefully into the crack, taking care to wipe abroad residual from the surface. More often, however, the crack will be larger, or the ceiling will have multiple cracks. When this is the case, using the correct tools and materials volition provide the best results. A 6-inch taping knife works well for removing loose ceiling texture and peeling paper. A small tub of premixed drywall mud is necessary for filling the cracks, and using mesh or newspaper drywall tape to reinforce the compound is helpful. A drywall sanding sponge comes in handy for smoothing the surface afterward the mixture dries.
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Do protect the walls and floor.
Wet drywall chemical compound has a fashion of dripping everywhere when you're working overhead, so accept steps to protect walls, the floor, and whatsoever other items in the room. Lay down a canvas tarp on the floor (plastic drop cloths can become wet and dangerously slippery), and comprehend any furniture with lightweight plastic drop cloths to avoid ruining them. If the ceiling crack is most a wall, consider covering the wall with a plastic drop cloth to go on splatters off.
DON'T shorten time for drying.
Ceiling crack repairs fabricated with wet drywall compound should be completely dry before another blanket is practical. The full general rule-of-pollex here is to apply the mixture in the thinnest coat possible, making sure to remove backlog with a taping pocketknife. When completely dry, the compound will turn a bright white color. At that point, it tin exist sanded down and recoated.
DO try a flexible patching compound.
If you've repaired a crevice in ceiling drywall earlier, only to have the crack reappear a few weeks or months after, consider sealing the ceiling repair with a flexible product such as Elastopatch Smooth Flexible Patching Compound (available from Amazon). Rather than applying standard paper or mesh drywall record to the scissure, brush on a thin glaze of Elastopatch with a small brush—directly over a cleft that'due south been filled with compound or spackling then sanded smooth. I or two coats of Elastopatch is all it takes to class a flexible seal over the repaired fissure.
DON'T forget to stay rubber.
Sanding drywall compound can create billows of grit, and a DIYer should wear a dust mask in addition to eye protection before tackling the task. In add-on, when working overhead, employ only a sturdy step ladder (no wobbly chairs or stools) in order to reach the ceiling.
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DO add together a finishing touch.
Repaired cracks tin look nearly equally bad as the cracks themselves if the repairs don't match the residue of the ceiling. Ceiling patch repair products are bachelor in sprays and semi-liquids for applying with a sponge—be sure to get one that matches the ceiling'due south texture. Painting the ceiling is likewise an option, in which case, look for a high-hiding ceiling paint in a neutral color.
DON'T skip other ceiling updates.
Once the ceiling repair is complete and the ceiling texture has been patched, a dated light fixture or a rusty return-air vent can mar the new look. Consider replacing an onetime light fixture with a new 1, and replace an one-time vent—or at least clean information technology and give it a fresh coat of paint—to give the whole room a fresh new look.
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Source: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/ceiling-repair/
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