How to Fix Cracked Drywall Tape on an Exterior Ceiling

An exterior ceiling (one without a story above it) will often have problems with cracks because of the temperature variations that can occur that close to the exterior. If your ceiling is drywall, any cracks that appear will be along the taped joints. Re-taping those joints with mesh tape, which stands up to movement better than paper tape, will solve the problem and make it less likely to happen again.

Stepladder
Drywall knife
Razor knife
Drywall tape (self-adhesive mesh)
Drywall joint compound
Drywall sanding pad

Instructions

- 1
  Scrape the damaged tape off the entire seam of the drywall with the drywall knife. Cut away any of the tape that doesn't come off easily, using your razor knife. Get the seam completely exposed from end to end.
- 2
  Press mesh tape along the full length of the seam, affixing it tightly.
- 3
  Cover the tape with drywall joint compound, spreading it on with your drywall knife. Make the line of compound just wide enough to cover the tape (about four inches). Get it completely smooth and flat.
- 4
  Allow the compound to dry for about six hours. Spread a second coat of compound over the first, making the line of it slightly wider (6 to 8 inches). Let it dry for about six hours.
- 5
  Apply a third and final coat of compound, making the seam about 10 inches across, and very thin and flat.
- 6
  Let it set for six hours. Sand it smooth with a drywall sanding pad. Repaint the ceiling.

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