How to Repair A Ceiling After A Leak.

Leaks happen no matter how hard we try to keep things running smoothly, water gets where it shouldn't be. Once the plumber is finished, there will be a hole left behind. A few simple steps can save the money spent to have a handy man or carpenter fill it in for you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• 1 piece drywall
• Spackle knife
• Spackle compound
• Straightedge
• Drywall screws
• Utility knife
• Screwdriver

1. Find the beam closest to the leak area that is dry. If the stain is larger then the hole the plumber cut to access the pipe try to find a beam in a dry part of the ceiling. One the beam is located find another beam in a dry area directly across from the first beam out past the wet area. This might be several beams out.
2. After finding the beams, using the utility knife cut a square out to the beams, using the straight edge to mark your way. This can be awkward, and drawing a square may not allow for how the beams bow somewhat at times. Use the straight edge and slowly cut as square a patch as possible around the hole the plumber made. Make sure you cut to the center of the beams you chose in the beginning.
3. Once the hole is cut, measure to the dry beams across whatever other beams might be exposed. Remember, you want to take out all water logged plaster, so the bigger the hole the better. Once you have the measurement you can move to cutting the drywall.
4. Lay the drywall on the floor in a space big enough to walk around it, rather the in the room where . Most professional sheet rock installers cut the pieces standing up right, the novice should lat the sheet flat on a surface that won't mar from cutting, such as a garage floor or a driveway.
   Using the utility score each line until you are all the way through the drywall.
   Draw a square using the measurements you took making sure to leave
5. Once you have the piece of drywall, check it against the square opening you cut in Step 2. If the drywall isn't perfect don't stress, as long as each edge covers the beam half way you are fine, the rest can be made up using drywall Spackle. The edges that do not line up with the beam can hang free if the hole is small, or can be screwed to the other beams that are exposed. Screw all sides, and make sure the drywall is firmly in place.
6. Using the Drywall tape and Spackle compound place a generous amount of Spackle around all the edges. Wait for one day, then sand smooth. Apply again as needed, allowing at least eight hours for the Spackle to dry. This will save you the cost of having a professional in to do the work.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a wide Spackle knife and lay the Spackle on very thin, over several coats for a finished look that no one can tell where you made the repair.
• Always wear some kind of eye protection, especially when working above your head, such as with ceilings or high up on walls.