How to Fix a Textured Ceiling

When you repair cracks, stain damage and other ceiling problems on a textured ceiling, you need to match the ceiling texture as well. If you have the right tools, products and some artistic flair, it is fairly easy to fix a textured ceiling.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Safety glasses
• Drop cloth
• Putty knife
• Drywall sandpaper
• Drywall sander
• Drywall compound
• Stain sealer
• Spray texture repair kit
• Texturing brushes
• Paint
• Paint brushes

1. Cover the floor with a drop cloth before working on the ceiling. Scrape away any damaged ceiling texture around the repair area with a putty knife.

2. Use a sander with sandpaper to sand the edges around the damaged area.

3. Take the putty knife and apply a small amount of drywall compound on the area. Fill it with a smooth coat of this compound and then let it dry.

4. Reuse the sander on the area until you have a smooth surface. If it was a stain due to water damage then apply stain sealer over the area and then let it dry. This can prevent bleed through problems in the future.

5. Re-texture the area by using a spray texture repair kit. There are many kits available such as acoustic (popcorn effect), orange peel, splatter and knock-down that should match your ceiling texture. Follow the kit instructions and first practice to achieve the desired effect; then begin to work on the ceiling.

6. Recreate a splotchy-style texture look by applying drywall compound on the area and then use texturing brushes to achieve a match to the surrounding ceiling texture. You can use this method if you are unable to use a kit for this particular texture style.

7. Repaint the repaired area to match the rest of the ceiling. It might be necessary to repaint the entire ceiling to ensure a perfect match.

[scampf]

on 6/3/2009 If the existing texture is very light, and not well defined or heavy; this method may work in a few cases, but my bet is that the repair will be obvious and will stand out against like a bruise. In my 22 years of construction experience, I have only met 2 people who were able to consistently match existing textures when making repairs. If your like me, and you want an unblemished repair that is invisible, you need to sand or scrape the existing texture as close to smooth as possible. Then apply new texture to the entire area until you reach a natural break, such as a corner or door opening. Most insurance adjusters will measure and pay for texture 'line of sight' for the same reason. If they did not, they would have to pay for it once the customer complained of the mismatch. Nothing irritates an Insurance company more, than paying twice for the same work. Do it right the first time a...