Patching Plaster Ceiling Cracks

If the plaster ceiling feels firmly attached to the lath then you can do the same repair as for the small cracks above.

Patching plaster ceiling cracks.

Plaster applied to wood lath is held in place by the keys that form when it squishes through the lath. House settling and temperature or moisture fluctuations in an attic which result in the expansion or contraction of framing members. Use trowel to spread joint compound onto ceiling covering the repaired area. Be sure to drive screws into wood lath above.

For finishing you ll need primer and paint. Expert advice and detailed instructions on repairing the most common plaster wall and ceiling problems including cracks holes and sagging. For larger cracks you may need two coats of spackle because of its tendency to shrink as it dries in large gaps so double check before priming and painting. Drive screws into both sides of the stud the nail is in.

Follow these easy tips along with the video to make quick work of repairing your ceiling from cracks nail pops or large holes. Subscribe to this old house. Spread joint compound over the tape and smooth it out. The cause of your ceiling crack depends on various factors such as the ceiling material and the home s age.

If there s an issue with the trusses that could create a crack between the ceiling and the interior wall. Ask this old house general contractor tom silva helps a homeowner repair a cracked plaster ceiling in an older home. Following the crack create a v notch by removing the plaster along both sides of the crack cutting at an angle until you see the substrate. You want to open up the v notch so that it is approximately 1 4 to 1 2 wide at the opening and as narrow as possible next to the substrate material.

Apply mesh tape over the crack. Sand away any loose paint and drywall. Screw plaster washers to ceiling along and around cracked area. No matter what the cause you can repair the plaster cracks by using drywall tape and joint compound.

In this video this old house general contractor tom silva explains how to repair a plaster ceiling. Repairing small cracks in plaster is easy compared to plastering a whole room. To repair small cracks in plaster you ll need patching compound medium and fine grit sandpaper a sanding block a putty knife a masonry chisel a paintbrush a rag and a screwdriver. The plaster keys holding it to the underlying lath can also crack and break over time causing the plaster to partially separate from the wall.