DIY: Bedroom Wall Crack Above the Door

Cover the area under the door with a plastic tarp. Run a spackle knife briskly over the cracked area, wiping away any loose plaster. Look for any loose nails or lumps in the plaster and fix the problem by pounding the nails in place and scraping off the lumps.

Dip the trowel in the drywall compound and smooth the compound on the cracked area. Spread the compound inside the crack and smooth at least 2 inches around all sides of the crack. Add more compound to the knife as needed.

Unroll the tape and cut a piece large enough to fit on the crack. Press the tape against one end of the crack and gently smooth the remaining tape across the crack. Move the trowel across the tape, pushing out any air bubbles or extra compound.

Apply a second layer of drywall compound once the first layer dries. Accurate Building recommends adding a third coat as well. With each coat, spread a thin layer of the compound and let dry. If you use a third layer, then apply more tape over the second coat of compound.

Rub the putty knife over the dried compound, wiping away any excess compound. Sand the wall with fine-grit sandpaper, creating a smooth surface on the wall. Wipe down the wall with a soft cloth, removing any dust or compound that comes loose.

Paint the cracked area with primer and a paint roller. Let the primer dry and follow up with a layer of indoor house paint that matches the paint used on the surrounding areas of the wall. Feather the edges of the paint with the paintbrush, making the repaired area blend with the rest of the wall.