How to Repair Slight Water Damage & a Crack in a Textured Ceiling

Working with textured ceilings to repair water damage from, let's say, a leaking bath tub drain upstairs, is always tricky business. Purchasing the right type of texture is the most important aspect whenever there is more to repair than small hairline cracks and a stain. Popcorn or acoustic, orange peel, knockdown, and splatter are just a few types of ceiling texture available at a hardware store, and being certain when selecting which type is most like what you have will be the defining factor in how well it matches. Taking in a picture, or a sample piece of texture, can be a large help.

Textured ceiling spray for every 2 square feet of repair
Interior stain blocking primer, white
White latex caulk
Caulking gun
2-inch putty knife

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the popcorn and use the putty knife to scrape any loose material from the ceiling. If there is no loose material, and only small hairline fractures and a water stain, continue to step 2. If there is missing texture and a large crack, skip to step 7.
- 2
  Caulk a fine bead of caulk down the fractures, using as little as possible.
- 3
  Wipe the caulk into the small cracks and smooth it out to remove as much caulk as possible and try not to dislodge any of the ceiling texture when rubbing it off.
- 4
  Allow the caulk to dry for approximately five minutes.
- 5
  Spray a thin coat of primer over the entire area, covering the stain and caulking completely.
- 6
  Allow the area to vent the fumes and dry for up to 24 hours, or until the smell is mostly gone, and the cracks should be invisible.
- 7
  Repair the crack with the latex caulk. Use backing if the crack is wider or deeper than ¼ inch. Fill the crack with the caulking and smooth it out using your fingers. Try to make it even with the drywall, and as flat as possible. Using a slightly damp square sponge can help a lot.
- 8
  Allow the caulk to dry until tacky and firm; this may take a few hours, depending on the amount of caulking used and the size of the crack.
- 9
  Spray a coat of primer over the entire stain, and everywhere that the texture came loose. Allow the area to vent the fumes and dry for up to 24 hours, or until the smell is mostly gone.
- 10
  Spray a thin coat of ceiling texture over the areas missing texture. This will not match yet, and it is going to look thin. Allow it to dry and ventilate, then repeat, spraying another thin layer, much like the first. Continue to do this until the texture matches, and the repair is complete.

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