How To Repair Cracked Ceiling Plaster

Typically plaster ceiling cracks have two causes.

How to repair cracked ceiling plaster. House settling and temperature or moisture fluctuations in an attic which result in the expansion or contraction of framing members. Be sure to drive screws into wood lath above. Use mesh tape to cover the crack.

Plaster repair is much. Use trowel to spread joint compound onto ceiling covering the repaired area. Score the crack with a utility knife to remove any loose plaster or other material that may be inside the crack.

The plaster must be firmly anchored to the lath behind it. This will allow the mud to bond directly to the plaster which will make the repair stronger. 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.

Small cracks in plaster are relatively easy to repair with one condition. In this video this old house general contractor tom silva explains how to repair a plaster ceiling. If when you push on the wall it flexes as though it has broken away from its support base call a plaster specialist the repair will involve removing the loose plaster and replacing it.

Ask this old house general contractor tom silva helps a homeowner repair a cracked plaster ceiling in an older home. For finishing you ll need primer and paint. No matter what the cause you can repair the plaster cracks by using drywall tape and joint compound.

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. If the plaster ceiling feels firmly attached to the lath then you can do the same repair as for the small cracks above. It s normal for cracks to appear in plasterboard walls from time to time.