Once the structural problem is resolved, you can This involves scraping away the loose tape and crumbled bits of drywall mud, sanding the surface smooth, and then filling the crack with drywall compound and The spackle does not provide the same reinforced surface coverage you’ll get by re-taping, and any slight settling will cause the crack to show up again. Cracks in drywall (also called wallboard, gypsum board, and Sheetrock) are common because its surface is made of paper. If it's a small hairline crack, you won't have to worry about this, but larger, deeper cracks will have debris in them that should be cleaned out. I've used DAP ElastoPatch with good results. No matter what the cause, you can repair the plaster cracks by using drywall tape and joint compound. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our This commenting section is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page. It is crucial to repair the break as soon as you notice it […] The best way to fix a small drywall crack is with flexible silicone caulk.

You don’t want to run along the crack or straight against it or you will pull caulk out of the crack rather then force it in.After the caulk has had about 5 minutes to setup use a damp not wet paper towel and remove any excess caulk from around the crack without actually going over the crack its self.Painted surfaces especially ones that have paint applied by a roller have a texture so it is important to remove the extra caulk the best you can so the texture will remain.It it best to wait a full 24 hours before you paint your wall. The texture blasts out fast and heavy. Cracks in a drywall ceiling are caused by wood movement in the framing due to shrinkage of improperly dried lumber or seasonal changes in temperature and humidity.

If the tape doesn’t have enough mud underneath to stick firmly, it can start to pull away from the wall over time. Reasons for the recurrence of these cracks which can be annoying may be as a result of shoddy repairs or use of the wrong materials for reconstruction. If your patch job doesn't keep drywall cracks from coming back, here's what you should do.Seasonal cracks in drywall and plaster are tough to repair. Before fixing the crack, which will require replacing the damaged section of drywall and then re-taping, it’s important to Jagged or diagonal cracks indicate that the foundation may have shifted or sunk, or another problem has occurred, such as the deterioration and collapse of supporting wood members due to termite damage. Repairing small cracks in drywall is also easy. If you have an older home and the cracks appear after water damage to your foundation you may need to take closer notice.Small cracks thinner then a dime that run a few feet are not that much of a problem and show the force that home settling can have on drywall by pulling it apart.If you have cracks that vary in size and at any point are larger then a half inch wide then you most likely have a structural problem that needs to be inspected.

Repairing cracks in walls can be a hassle especially when the breaks keep coming back.
Popular Mechanics participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. For long-lasting repairs, re-tape cracks rather than filling them with spackle.Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Home centers carry oversized plates for common configurations like single and double switches and outlets.If you’ve got ceiling tiles, check out how to cut them in the video below, if you need to repair them.Some cracks keep coming back no matter how well you repair them. These cracks warrant bringing in a reputable builder or engineer to inspect your home’s structure and pinpoint the cause.

Deep Crack Repair. You may be able to find more information on their web site. The common approach is to fill the crack with spackling then paint over it, but this is at best a temporary fix, since the crack will usually come back as the seasons change.

When this happens, you’ll see a fine crack where the tape has lifted.

They could also be from locating something too heavy in the area such as a safe or whirlpool bath.And remember that cracks can be caused from problems below or above the room you are in.The easiest material is a 100% latex caulk and this type of caulk just so happens to be the least expensive too.You will need to use a small rubber spatula to force the caulk into the crack.First apply a bead to the crack then using a crosshatch pattern work the caulk into the crack. This gives the wood time to dry completely. Structural problems can be from a rotted sill plate at the base of a wall, foundation problems, even termite damage. Watch video of this step. The best way to repair a crack in drywall is to re-tape the joint. Additionally, drastic changes in interior temperature and humidity or poor drywall tape installation often causes drywall and drywall surface coatings to develop cracks.