How to Fix a Crack in a Swirled Ceiling

Place a ladder under the ceiling crack and put on a dust mask and eye protection before proceeding. Lay a tarp on the floor to protect it and to make clean up quicker.

Climb up onto the ladder and use the flat edge of a putty knife to scrape away the texture at least 3 inches past either side of the crack.

Open a tube of paintable caulk and place the tip directly up to the ceiling crack. Squeeze the caulk tube to apply a thin bead of caulk along the entire length of the crack. Smooth the caulk out using your finger until the crack is full but no excess caulk is on the ceiling.

Allow the caulk to dry completely and paint the entire exposed area of ceiling with a latex primer and a paintbrush. If the exposed area is large, use a paint roller instead.

Allow the primer to dry completely and then open up a tub of ceiling texture material, which you can find at a home supply store. Insert a dry wall knife or a wide putty knife into the material and apply it to the exposed ceiling area in a smooth coat.

Insert the knife back into the mixture and scoop up another 1/4 cup full. Spread the mixture onto the ceiling in a swirling pattern that is similar to the one on the remainder of the ceiling. If needed, use a sponge to create the swirled pattern.

Remove your dust mask and eye protection. Fold up the tarp and place it into the trash can.