How to Repaint Cracked Walls

Smaller Cracks or Stress Cracks

• 1

  Scrape out the crack with the blade of a utility knife. Widen the crack slightly with the knife; the extra width will help the joint compound adhere to the drywall.

• 2

  Vacuum the area to remove any dust or other loose material.

• 3

  Apply some drywall joint compound to the crack with a putty knife. Allow the joint compound to dry. Fill in the crack until the dried joint compound is slightly higher than the surface of the wall.

• 4

  Sand the joint compound down until it is flush with the surface of the wall. Wipe the area clean with a rag.

• 5

  Paint over the cracked area with paint that matches the color of the wall.

Larger Cracks

• 6

  Clean out the inside area of the crack with your utility knife. Scrape the sides with the blade to remove any loose or flaking drywall material. Vacuum any dust from the area.

• 7

  Widen the crack with the utility knife so that you can form a flat indentation. Press down inside the crack and flatten it with the tip of your finger.

• 8

  Fasten drywall screws on both sides of the crack. Use a drill to drive the screws into the wall. The screws will help anchor the drywall to the backing board behind it. Large cracks often result from drywall that moves, and the screws will prevent this from occuring again in the future. Sink the screws down into the wall until the screwheads are flush with the surface of the wall.

• 9

  Cover the entire crack and the heads of the drywall screws with fiber mesh tape.

• 10

  Apply some drywall joint compound to the crack and on top of the screwheads. Allow it to dry. Repeat this process until the dried joint compound is slightly higher than the surface of the wall.

• 11

  Sand the joint compound down until it is flush with the surface of the wall. Vacuum the area again to remove the dust.

• 12

  Coat the area with a layer of primer. Allow the primer to dry.

• 13

  Paint over the primer with a coat of paint that matches the color of the wall. Allow it to dry, then determine if you need a second coat of paint.