Home Garden

How to Fill Small Cracks in Ceilings and Walls

Small cracks in ceilings and walls will affect the entire look of the room. No matter how well you decorate the room, your guests’ eyes will be drawn to the small cracks. Both plaster and drywall surfaces may develop cracks, and you can repair them in roughly the same manner. Typically, small cracks on walls or ceilings are nothing to worry about. However, if the cracks continue to reappear, your home may have an underlying problem that you should investigate and fix immediately.

Things You'll Need

  • Putty knife
  • Cloth
  • Plaster paint or joint compound
  • Sandpaper
  • Paint
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a putty knife to remove any sharp edges sticking out from the small cracks. Wipe the surface debris off the cracks and surrounding area with a dry cloth.

    • 2

      Scoop a dollop of either plaster paste or joint compound out of the container with a putty knife. Use plaster paste for plaster surfaces and joint compound for drywall surfaces.

    • 3

      Cover the small cracks completely with the paste or compound. Use the putty knife to smooth the repair material out as evenly as possible. Let the repair material dry for several hours.

    • 4

      Sand the dried repair cracks with sandpaper until completely smooth. Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth and let dry. Paint the repaired area to match the surrounding wall or ceiling.