Any quick ideas on how to patch up a crack in the ceiling caused by something falling in the attic?
Asked by Yunnuel Cedillo 
6 months ago
Last Updated: June 17, 2024
Hi everyone! Just joined the group and hoping to get some input. Any tips on how to repair a crack in our ceiling? We’re looking for a quick and easy solution 😅😬🤞. A little mishap in the attic caused the crack. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!
Dealing with that old popcorn ceiling isn’t a walk in the park 🍿. I’d suggest applying caulk and calling it done
While quick fixes can be tempting, achieving a seamless finish requires skill and time. Plus, don’t forget the ceiling will need a fresh coat of paint.
Mike, I agree with you…I would also caulk it.
Take a look at it from the attic side, seems like the drywall is pretty damaged. Any repairs will have to tackle that issue first.
The drywall isn’t in bad shape,
Try out some Flex seal
First Step; late at night release the person in the attic and set them free Second step; Scrape off 4” of popcorn all around. Third: angle cut the crack at 45 degrees and apply wet tape. Forth: feather out Fifth: reapply texture Sixth: remove this evidence
The rule in my house is that whoever causes the damage has to fix it themselves! 😁
In an ideal world, , yes! My neighbors have all come by at some point to borrow tools, but I’ve had to say no because I wasn’t confident in their skills. Do they appreciate tools? Will they hurt themselves and sue me? Will they own up to messing something up before I use it again? Nope. Looks like I’m just the bad neighbor 😂😂.
This was for my kids, they all own homes and had some supervised practice.
A simple solution would be to use caulk and paint lol
Open up the cracks slightly! Fill with paintable latex caulk. Once dry, smooth the surface with spackle. Avoid excessive build-up of spackle! Prime and paint the area!
Many experts recommend using caulk, they’re absolutely right… scraping off the popcorn near the crack and identifying potential drywall damage are good suggestions from well-meaning individuals who may not have experience with this specific issue… run a thin bead of caulking, don’t spread it out, keep it at just 1/8” wide… you’ve got this
Rab one of these tubes and a damp washcloth, fill it carefully and lightly dab with the cloth to blend as needed
I would suggest diving a bit deeper into it… adding a few layers of joint compound… applying some joint tape… covering it with more compound until it’s no longer visible… sanding it down and smoothing out the edges… then painting over it with popcorn texture
Head up to the attic and find the damaged section of drywall. It’ll probably be between two ceiling joists. Cut a piece of 3/4″ plywood that’s long enough to cover the damaged area and wide enough to fit between the joists. Secure the plywood between the joists, making sure it’s not hanging below them. Then, head back to the room with the damaged ceiling. Clean up the damaged area so that the drywall screws can easily pull it up when you attach the drywall to the plywood. Be careful when installing the screws to ensure the drywall is pulled up evenly. This should bring the drywall back into place, leaving you with a simple cosmetic repair to finish up. I won’t tell you how I learned this trick.
Thank you so much, !
It’s most likely lath and plaster.
The repair method I suggested is suitable for drywall ceilings. Plaster and lath ceilings pose more challenges.