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Ceiling Crack Repair
from: Maxx Home GuidesYou've noticed that it's time for some ceiling maintenance. If you spot a crack in the ceiling, you should take care of it long before you actually paint or cover the ceiling. Most often, homes settle which leads to the small cracks in the ceiling.
If there's a foundation problem with your home, it could cause some of the cracks as well. Sometimes ceiling materials start to wear and it doesn't take much for a crack to show up.
If the cracks are minor, you should be able to fix them yourself. On the other hand, if you have a significant crack, you may need to first determine what's causing the crack, especially if it's recent. If the crack is significant and large, you'll need a roof inspector to determine the underlying cause since it could be a problem with the structural integrity of your home.
Repairing Minor Problems
Hairline cracks in the ceiling can be repaired with a few simple ceiling maintenance tips.
Start with a putty knife. Remove any of the loose edges surrounding the crack. Scrape away excess ceiling tiling that may be falling off. If you have a stucco or popcorn ceiling, you'll need to scrape this away, too, to create a flat surface surrounding the crack. Later, you can add it back.
Once the entire surface is scraped near the crack, apply a layer of spackle. Most hairline cracks won't require any type of packing, since they're so small. The spackle will be sufficient to cover up the crack. Apply enough to cover the worst areas.
Next, use the flat edge of a putting knife to level out the spackle. Use the thinnest layer possible.
Allow the spackle to dry thoroughly. Use a piece of sand paper to remove any excess and to smooth off the edges of the spackled area. You want this area to blend easily with the ceiling around it.
Once complete and fully dry, paint over the spackle as needed. It may be best to paint over the entire ceiling so one section doesn't look brighter than the rest.
Repairing more significant cracks in your ceiling is a job for a ceiling maintenance professional. If you'll be tackling this problem yourself, be sure to investigate the cause of the crack so you can ensure it doesn't happen again.
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