We’ve all seen it: a crack in the ceiling of your house that looks like it could swallow a small child whole!
Unless you’re planning on moving out and selling your home ASAP, the best thing you can do is call a professional company such as RCI Perth and let them help you fix it as soon as possible. It’s possible for you to repair cracks yourself, but you need to know what kind of crack you’re dealing with before attempting any repairs.
Before fixing a cracked ceiling, you need to assess the damage and decide whether it’s better to repair or replace it.
The first step is to define the problem. Can the ceiling be fixed? Do you have a solution in mind already? Have you ever repaired a ceiling before? Repairing a crack in your ceiling is a project many homeowners choose to tackle with varying degrees of success. If you have yet to experience improving gyprock, it may be a good time to enlist the help of a professional company to ensure that it is done right.
If the crack has gotten to the point that it needs to be replaced, it is a great time to get a professional company involved.
If the damage has gotten to the point that it needs to be replaced, then it may mean that there are other more severe issues, or the problem may be more significant than what an average homeowner is comfortable tackling. At this point, it would be best to contact a structural contractor so that they can examine your home for further issues.
Read more on this article to assess the ‘seriousness’ of your ceiling crack – or contact our team today.
You will want to ensure that you discover why the crack happened and if you will need to consult a contractor for structural damage.
It is important to have a good idea as to why the crack happened in the first place. Knowing why the crack happened will give you a good idea as to what your next step will need to be. A few things that can cause cracks in a ceiling to include:
- Large tree branches or limbs hitting your home during high winds
- Plumbing leaks (You should always call a plumber when dealing with plumbing-related issues)
- Structural issues (if there is poor foundation work under your house, this can lead to cracks in the ceiling)
For serious cracks that reach beyond the surface of the ceiling, consult a professional.
If the crack goes beyond the surface of the ceiling, it’s best to consult a professional. Cracks like these usually indicate structural issues with your ceiling that must be addressed. If you ignore the cracks, they can lead to a more severe problem later.
If your crack is only on the surface and has not gone deep into your ceiling, you can repair it yourself. Make sure you prep properly before starting any repairs, and use the right tools for each job, so nothing gets damaged in the process!
If the crack is on the surface only and not structural, you can repair it yourself with caulk or plaster.
If the crack is on the surface of your ceiling and not structural, you can repair it yourself with caulk or plaster. If this is the case, use a putty knife to remove any loose material that has fallen. Remove all debris and clean up with a damp sponge and dry cloth before continuing.
If you decide to repair a crack, make sure you prep properly and use the right tools.
First, clean the area around the damaged area thoroughly. Then apply a sealant to prepare it for caulk or plaster. If using caulk, apply it using an adjustable caulk gun (you’ll need one with a large tip that can be opened up wide) rather than applying it by hand. This will ensure an even application without too much extra material oozing out at the edges of your repair work.
If using putty instead of caulk, use a putty knife to spread it along cracks before smoothing it down with your finger or another tool like a scraper or another sturdy flat object. Make sure it’s smooth so as not to leave any bumps in your repaired area. You could sand the application site if it did not turn out as smoothly as you had hoped. Allow time for drying before painting over it; most compounds take 24 hours before they are totally dry.
You can also blend in any colors from existing paint if desired by adding small amounts of pigment to the wet surface of the freshly applied putty. If you want to keep your project looking neat after application but need access to your home’s paint samples, choose paint chips from different areas of one wall. When you take it to your local paint store, you can match the color between the pieces or have paint mixed by the professionals so they match each other well enough not to look mismatched when mixed!
Make sure you know what kind of crack you’re dealing with before attempting any repairs.
There are multiple types of cracks that you may encounter in your ceiling, and each one has its own set of consequences. If you’re not sure what kind of crack you have, ask yourself these questions:
- Is my damage structural or cosmetic?
- How big is the crack?
- What’s causing it?
If the answers to these questions are concerning, or you are just unsure, consider seeking a professional for help. RCI Perth is always happy to help you diagnose your ceiling crack issues and give you options on how best to fix them.
Conclusion
We hope this article has benefited your understanding of how to repair a cracked ceiling. Cracks are common and can be fixed yourself if they’re not too bad and your confident in your abilities. But if you need help from an expert, then we at RCI Perth would love to help! We provide free estimates on all of our services so you can get an idea of what work may need to be done before making any decisions.
