How to Repair Walls and Ceilings.
63Using joint compound works much better than caulk.
In order to fix cracks in walls and ceilings that are drywalled, one must use tape and joint compound. Take a little joint compound and apply it over the cracks, making sure to get plenty on. Take the paper tape and stick it to the compound making sure to center it over the cracks. Using a drywall knife embed the tape into the compound. This causes the tape to stick. (Warning: Do not go over the joint so much after taping that you remove the compound from underneath it.)
Let it dry then go over it once again with a wider drywall knife. I usually use a 6 inch knife to tape then go to a 10 for the second coat. This the compound slightly for the first two coats.
After the second coat dries you are ready to apply a third coat. You will have to thin your compound even more for this step. This is what's called a skim coat. The compound must be the consistency of a heavy cream. Use a 12 inch knife for this step.
Helpful hints: Do not overwork the compound after applying it. It starts to dry when it touches the wall. Smooth it out quickly then let it alone.
Be sure and buy some sandpaper to sand the wall or ceiling.
Hiring a professional is always best, but it isn't so hard a project that most people can't handle it.
|
Elmer's E781 Drywall Repair Kit
Price: $10.44
List Price: $15.00 |
|
Drywall: Professional Techniques for Great Results
Price: $8.63
List Price: $19.95 |
|
Welco Mfg Co 800 Wall And Ceiling Repair Kit For Dummies
Price: $17.46
|
|
Drywall Repair Plug 3-7/8" - 2 EACH (not a Kit or Clip)
Price: $8.75
|
|
Homeowner Series Vol. 3, Repairing Drywall and Matching Texture, a Drywall Repairs DVD
Price: $24.95
List Price: $24.95 |
|
DeWalt DW260 Drywall Screwdriver
Current Bid: $59.95
|
|
NEW 11' 15' 16' Foot Drywall Lift Hoist Panel Lifter
Current Bid: $166.99
|
|
Dewalt DW272 Corded VSR Drywall Screwdriver Drill Gun
Current Bid: $41.00
|
|
DEWALT DW 257 Drywall Drill
Current Bid: $50.00
|
More Home Improvement
- How to Hang Kitchen Cabinets
Always use extreme caution when using power tools. Injuries happen when directions are not properly followed. Remember also to use eye protection and hearing protection when necessary. Table saws can be... - 14 months ago
- How to Change a Toilet
Tools needed will be as follows: 1. A flat screwdriver 2. An adjustable wrench 3. A utility knife 4. A pair of adjustable pliers (Channelocks) 5. Hacksaw 6. Rubber gloves 7. A piece of cardboard big... - 2 years ago
- How to Remove Stains from Ceilings
So you had a leaky roof a while back and now that it is fixed your ceiling has a gigantic water stain on it. Water stains on ceilings are unsightly but not too hard to get rid of. You cannot actually remove... - 9 months ago
- How to Install Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring must be installed over a sub floor of at least 3/4 inch plywood, Advantech sub floor, or 1x12 sub flooring. Particle board and chipboard;(OSB), are not approved sub floors for installing... - 2 years ago
- How to Repair Walls and Ceilings.
In order to fix cracks in walls and ceilings that are drywalled, one must use tape and joint compound. Take a little joint compound and apply it over the cracks, making sure to get plenty on. Take the paper... - 2 years ago
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
Thank you so very much! I am going to trot over to the store very soon to look for these products. It sounds like the tape has no adhesive at all--is that right? Does it have a name?
Hi Maren. It should just be known as "drywall tape." No adhesive. About 2" wide and feels/looks like heavy paper. It should be found with the joint compound. After making the repairs, keep an eye on the area. If you're in a new house, it may be settling, in which you may be repeating the task in the future. Nice thing about this stuff is that should you mess it up the first try, scrape/wash it off and try again.
Very good advice Matt. Make sure also that you put the tape on right. There is a crease in the middle of it. The part that goes against the wall will have the outside of the crease on it.
Walls crack at stress points. If they cracked there once, it is likely they will again. If you're lucky it was due to some settling or shrinkage and wont reoccur. I would not use the paper tape however. Home Depot or Lowes will have a fiberglass mesh tape as well. Usually blue in color. You need not mud first. YOu scrape the wall at the crack and clean any debree or dust from the crack. Make it flat. Apply the tape and it has a wax coating that causes it to stay in place while you mud. Use Fix-all or a fast setting compound for the first coat and squish it into the crack to fully fill any voids. then smooth out over tape. Less is best. You need not cover tape completely. Next coat after first dries, will be all-purpose joint compound with 6 inch knife as stated earlier. After it dries overnight apply a third coat. You can still use 6 incher but overlap in middle of tape and feathered to nothing on edges. Sand it down until all edges are feathered to nothing and all lines are gone... just until you begin to see the blue through it. Use a sanding sponge of block until all lines and markes are gone. Touch up any remaining gouges or light spots as needed. Best of luck!!
I agree with Franklin !
I hope you can get the work done fast on the easy side of this!
Plaster/stucco/Drywall-Plastering services is always a hard work and call a Plasterers Company some times can save you time and $$$$
mattd241 says:
2 years ago
I would agree with all written, but save yourself the cleanup and dust by using a damp sponge, rather than sandpaper for the last step. So much cleaner and faster!