How to Fix a Crack in the Ceiling

By
Lee Wallender
Lee Wallender
Lee Wallender

Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 12/21/22
Reviewed by
Deane Biermeier
Deane Biermeier
Reviewed by Deane Biermeier
Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board.
Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
Five-in-one tool poking crack in ceiling

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 30 mins - 2 hrs
  • Total Time: 1 - 2 days
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Estimated Cost: $25 to $50

While it can be alarming to look up and see cracks in the ceiling, not all cracks indicate serious structural problems. Cracks in the ceiling are a common occurrence, and often their impact is more cosmetic than structural.

Learn how to differentiate minor ceiling cracks from more serious cracks that need immediate attention. Plus, find out how to fix a minor crack in the ceiling from below, without doing major drywall work.

What Causes Cracked Ceilings

Damage From Above

Ceilings aren't just the room-facing part that you see most of the time. Ceilings have a top side, as well. Up in the attic, the ceiling is usually unprotected. With just loose-fill or fiberglass insulation over the drywall, the drywall is prone to damage from anyone who moves around or anything heavy that drops.

Improper Taping Joints

Long, straight cracks that follow the direction of the joists are often the result of improperly taped drywall seams. The tape may not have been applied well before it was covered up with additional joint compound.

Water Damage

Water from the roof, flashing, or vents may leak down onto the top of the drywall ceiling. Water damage may manifest itself as yellow or brown stains or as bubbled paint. Cracks are often part of water damage, as the water may leak into the seams between drywall panels and loosen the joint tape.

Structural Damage

While foundation settling is to be expected, structural damage isn't. A home's structural damage can begin in the basement, with the joists, beams, foundation wall, band joist, and sill plate. Working upward, damage can affect windows and doorways, walls, and then eventually the ceiling.

How to Know If a Ceiling Cracks That Are Serious

Long ceiling cracks that run in continuous lines, especially those that match up with wall cracks, often indicate serious problems. The issue, then, goes far beyond the crack. It's a foundation problem, with the ceiling crack being only a minor byproduct. With this type of problem, you will usually have doors that stick in their doorframes and windows that open and close with difficulty. In some cases, the effects are even seen on the exterior, with gaps developing between the house and masonry staircases, pathways, or patios.

If the ceiling crack is accompanied by a significant bow in the ceiling, this usually means a serious problem from above: the attic joists or trusses.

Safety Considerations

When moving around in the attic, be careful not to step on the drywall between the joists. Attic insulation called vermiculite may contain asbestos. If you see small grayish silver or brown pebbles, call an asbestos mitigation company for testing and removal.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Utility knife
  • Five-in-one tool
  • Putty knife
  • Drywall knife
  • Sandpaper
  • Paint roller and tray
  • Drywall jab saw
  • Drill
  • Circular saw
  • Ladder

Materials

  • Drywall joint compound
  • Paper drywall tape
  • Primer
  • Ceiling paint
  • 1/2- or 5/8-inch drywall
  • 1/2-inch plywood
  • Drywall screws

Instructions

Materials and tools to fix a crack in the ceiling

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

How to Fix Minor Ceiling Cracks

  1. Clean Ceiling Crack

    Use the utility knife and five-in-one tool to pry off loose paint and drywall compound. Remove old mesh or paper tape, too. Work lengthwise with the crack, not sideways.

    Loose paint and compound pried off ceiling crack with five-in-one tool

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Spread Joint Compound

    With the drywall knife, spread the joint compound on the crack. Spread about 3 inches wide. Spread thinly.

    Joint compound spread over ceiling crack with putty knife

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Apply Tape

    Apply the paper tape to the wet joint compound. Center the ceiling crack with the tape, as much as possible. Press the tape with the drywall knife.

    Paper drywall tape added over joint compound with putty knife

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Apply Joint Compound

    Apply a thin layer of joint compound over the tape. Feather out the edges to cover up the edges of the tape.

    Joint compound applied over drywall tape with putty knife

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  5. Touch up Joint Compound

    After the joint compound has dried, sand off any high spots. Touch up any missing areas of the joint compound. This may require a full second coat. Allow to dry and sand to smooth.

    Dried compound lightly sanded with fine-grit sandpaper

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  6. Prime and Paint

    After the joint compound has dried, prime the area, then roll on ceiling paint to match the existing ceiling paint.

    White paint primer added over dried compound with roller

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

How to Fix Major Ceiling Cracks

  1. Clear Attic

    To fix major ceiling cracks, you need to access the attic. Attic access doors are usually found in bedroom closets, hallways, or garages. With the flashlight, find the area of the crack. Clear loose-fill or fiberglass batt insulation.

    Attic insulation removed to access major ceiling crack

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Cut out Cracked Drywall

    Use a drywall jab saw to cut out the area of the crack, plus 1 to 2 inches beyond the crack.

    Tip

    It's helpful to cut a regular shape with parallel sides (such as 6 inches wide by 48 inches long) rather than irregular shapes that follow the crack.

    Drywall jab saw cutting around ceiling crack

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Measure Joists

    Before leaving the attic, measure the distance between the joists. On most homes with joists spaced 16 inches on-center, the distance should be 14 1/2 inches.

    Tape measure measuring distance between attic joists

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Create Plywood Backer Board

    Below, cut 1/2-inch plywood 14 1/2 inches wide by the length of the hole you created in the drywall plus 3 or 4 inches extra on both ends, up to 8 feet. Add extra plywood if necessary.

    Pencil marking plywood to cut as backer board

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  5. Cut Drywall Replacement Section

    Use a utility knife to cut out 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch drywall to match the thickness of the existing drywall. Cut a piece to fit the ceiling cutout.

    Tape measure measuring cut drywall replacement section

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  6. Place Plywood Backer Board

    Move the plywood backer board into the attic and place it over the cut-out area. Temporarily place a heavy item on the board before you go downstairs. The heavy item will hold the plywood in place while you drill from below.

    New backer board added to cut area with heavy bucket on top

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  7. Attach Replacement Section

    From below, screw the drywall replacement section onto the plywood with drywall screws. Install additional screws through existing drywall and into the extra plywood backer at each end.

    Drywall replacement section attached to ceiling with electric drill

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  8. Finish and Paint

    Finish the edges of the repaired section with drywall tape. Apply joint compound to cover the edges. Sand. Roll primer over the patch, then paint to match the ceiling paint.

    Drywall tape and joint compound covering replacement section

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

When to Call a Professional

Call a foundation repair company or general contractor if you suspect that the home has foundation damage or damage to the rest of the house.