5 Tips To Fix Drywall Cracks on Walls and Ceilings

Cracks in the ceilings and walls of any home will happen over time. They could indicate the house settling, water damage, or even bad installation. Whatever the problem, you need to know the steps for repairing them. Here are five tips to fix drywall cracks on walls and ceilings.

Avoid Temporary Fixes

Filling up the cracks with some spackle and painting over them is the quick and easy way to fix a drywall crack—but it’s also inefficient. Spackle and paint won’t hold for long, and the crack will come right back.

If you have cracks in your walls, you need to redo the last job. That means you’ll need to reapply drywall mud and tape over the crack to keep it from telegraphing through. It’s a much more permanent and efficient fix.

Rough Up the Paint

Grab either sandpaper or a sanding sponge and run it across the painted area. The objective is to clear away the paint and get to the root of the problem. You want to be able to see the crack without any obstacles.

After getting past that first layer, wipe away the excess dust, debris, and paint. A wet rag will do just fine. Don’t make the area too wet because you don’t want to waste time waiting on the surface to dry.

Drive Drywall Screws

Once you’ve removed the paint, see if the drywall is attached firmly. If you notice it’s a little loose, that could indicate that the original installation was done poorly.

Your objective is to get the drywall back into place. Drive drywall screws into the framing on both sides of the crack. Don’t drill too far in because you could cause damage or strip the screw.

Apply the Mud

Next, apply a thin coat of drywall compound to the crack. Choose a suitable knife from your drywall taping knife set. Because the mud is so thin and you’re only fixing a crack, a four- to five-inch taping knife should get the job done.

Smooth the mud over and embed a strip of drywall tape in the wet compound. Let that first layer of mud dry, and then add several more coats. Use a wider taping knife this time to feather out the compound.

Sand One Last Time

Give the compound time to dry before sanding it down again. Drying shouldn’t take too long, but some like to give it a good 24 hours before taking the next steps.

Once the compound dries, sand it down with a sponge and wipe away the excess with another damp rag. After you’ve cleared everything away, apply some drywall primer and paint over the repaired crack.

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