There are many reasons why you might need to fix an area of drywall on your ceiling. Cracking in your ceiling can be fixed fairly easily with joint compound, but holes should be cured with additional support. Using the correct tools and materials are essential to patching your drywall and creating a smooth, safe finish for painting. Here are the steps you need to take in order to patch your drywall ceiling, depending on how large of an area you need to patch.
Instructions
Patch Small Cracks and Dents
1. Sand the area you will be patching with a medium grit sanding block to remove any surface imperfections or loose paint. This will rough up the area and allow the joint compound to adhere more efficiently. Make sure the area around the crack or dent is sanded.
2. Fill the area with a layer of joint compound by spreading it evenly across the damaged area with your putty knife. Don't worry about small lines in the compound, as you will be able to sand any imperfections to create a smooth finish. Make sure the crack or dent is completely filled with joint compound.
3. Wait for the compound to dry and then sand the area using a sanding block. Once the area is dry, prime the area and you're ready for a fresh coat of paint.
Patch Small Holes
4. Sand the area to remove any loose debris and remove any loose drywall that is hanging from the hole.
5. Apply a layer of mesh drywall tape to the damaged area. Allow at least an inch of overlap around each side of the hole to allow the tape to secure the area.
6. Fill the drywall tape with a layer of joint compound and spread the compound evenly across the area with a putty knife. Be careful not to catch the corners of the drywall tape as this will ruin the taped area and you might have to start over again.
7. Wait for the compound to dry and sand the area using a sanding block. Don't sand too deep or you will expose the drywall tape. Prime the area and you are ready for painting.
Patch Large Holes
8. Cut a square around the hole using a utility knife. Be careful not to damage the drywall outside of the space you are repairing, especially if you are repairing an area without any stud support.
9. Prepare two strips of plywood that extend at least three inches beyond the hole. These will be used as a support brace for attaching a new piece of drywall. The strips should be at least 3 inches wide.
10. Attach the two strips of plywood to the existing wall inside of the hole using drywall screws. Screw in the drywall screws above and below your hole to each support strip. Make sure to sink your screws into the drywall deep enough so that you can run a layer of joint compound over them.
11. Measure the hole and cut a piece of drywall using your utility knife to fit the hole. Attach the piece of drywall to the plywood support strips using drywall screws.
12. Apply mesh drywall tape to all four seams and cover them with a layer of joint compound using a putty knife. You may need to use more than one coat of joint compound. After applying the first coat, let it dry and determine whether or not you will need a second coat. Sand the area and apply a coat of primer.
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