Hi,
How would i go about repairing ceiling cracks that spider out from a source?
Thanks in advance
Hi @mooglett,
What you’re seeing there is fairly typical of old plaster. Those spider cracks usually mean the top layer has lost adhesion in spots. The fix is not just filling over them, because anything loose will keep moving and crack again. You’ll need to chase the cracks out first, which means running a scraper along them to remove any loose or flaking material. Do not be surprised if small sections chip away as you do this. Sometimes it is just the immediate crack edges, other times it can open up into a wider problem area. It will almost always look worse before it looks better, but that is necessary to get back to a solid base.
Once everything loose is removed, you can assess the depth. For shallow areas, a standard patching or finishing compound will do. For wider or deeper cracks, it is worth embedding some mesh tape before filling to help stop them from reopening. Build the area back up in thin layers rather than one thick fill, letting each coat dry and sanding between passes to keep it flat. After that, prime the repaired area and repaint, ideally the whole ceiling so the repair does not stand out.
Here's a helpful guide: How to fix a water-damaged ceiling.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
