Drywall cracks occur because there is movement in the cracked area. Filling the crack will cover it up for a short time, but it will happen again unless the drywall around the crack is reinforced. Reinforcing the drywall will stop the movement and stop the crack from reappearing. When the crack is patched, you will have to retexture the patched area to match the surrounding wall space. The patching compound and texture will have to be primed and painted to match the existing wall color.
Instructions
1. Cut a groove around the crack with a utility knife to remove the undesirable contents of the crack. Remove the cuttings from the trimmed area.
2. Check around the area of the crack to see if there is a stud near it. If there is, screw or nail around the crack (with a drill or hammer) to keep the drywall from moving again.
3. Apply self-stick drywall tape over the top of the crack. Apply fast-drying joint compound over the mesh tape with a 10-inch taping knife. You can also use regular joint compound if you are nervous to use fast-drying joint compound. Apply the joint compound first to one side of the joint tape, from top to bottom, and then to the other side from top to bottom. Allow the first coat to dry.
4. Apply a second coat of joint compound starting from the crack and working to both sides two taping knife widths (called feathering).
5. Scrape down any ridges in the joint compound. Apply follow-up coats of joint compound until the wall surface is flat.
6. Sand the entire patch area lightly with a sanding block. Remove the dust with a cloth towel. Apply a coat of paint primer. Paint the patched area with matching wall paint.
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