How to Fix a Drywall Crack in Ceiling or Wall FOR EVER!!! Tutorial

Don’t use the color changing paint on a bathroom ceiling if you like hot showers. The moisture brings the color back every time. Learned the hard way.

I like many here that have commented are grateful for this video and I also have done drywall/taping and finishing for almost 35 years (Damn, did I just type that? WOW) Anyway, the trick with the food coloring is genius. I didn't even think of this. The purple Valspar ceiling white I didn't know about either. That is absolutely brilliant. This video will change some of the ways I've done my repair work for over 3 decades. This is what Youtube was supposed to be about, helping people. Thank you for this.

I do tell everyone that they can do it themselves. However, I tell them to look at the journeymen drywall and texturing guys. These guys have been doing installations and repairs every day for their employment .They have seen it all and know how to repair the worst cracks, breaks, and other stuff the right way. There are too many short cuts that will not work or last. Thanks for such a great video of a crack repair that will last.

Great video. None of that 60 second intro BS that so many people foist upon us. And no crappy music. Lot of good ideas. I don’t know about all that sanding, though. I wet “sand” with a sponge, towel or rags as much as possible.

Great video thanks for no half hour intro telling life experiences and no crappy music blasting. Also inch and a quarter Fender washers work well as drywall screws lay flat in them while grabbing more surface area.

Adhesive caulk has come a long way. Whenever I have a seam crack that shows up. I clear the seam out completely and even take off the original tape. I have found Loctite powergrab works the best. Apply a bead in the seam and down either side. Press the seam paper into the adhesive using a 2 or 3 puddy knife. Allow to cure and mud as usual. I have never had a crack reappear in ten years using this method. It was a game changer when I decided to give it a try. Ever since this is how I do all my seams from the very start because I HATE rework.

I have been mudding for decades, and have never heard of the food coloring idea. It's good to learn something new. Thanks.

3 different compounds spread out 3 feet...ugh. I still say this is an art and not a trade. Wish I had that gift.

Very helpful info! That purple-to-white ceiling paint is great! Beware of drywall dust, though. Please use plastic draping! No matter how careful you try to be, sanded compound dust floats and gets EVERYWHERE! I noticed your unprotected TV and furniture in the background and cringed. Drywall dust can damage both, either right away or over time, as it settles deeper into the components & fabrics. The way you explain things is clear & in depth. I'll check out a few more of your videos. I've been at this for years, and it's nice to learn new techniques & tips!

Very well done, I learned some good tips here. As a painter myself driving paintable caulking in the crack and then spackling on top followed by sanding always has worked well for me. The caulking is flexible and will not crack once in side the cracked ceiling. I think using your methods will provide and even longer lasting fix. Thank you.

Awesome job of explaining this procedure. I've watched the last 2 guys who did work here and a number of cracks have returned. They definitely didn't do things like you did. Many thnx.

I have repaired a lot of drywall in 40 years of finishing. The paper tape failure is 99% user error and not being shown how to thin the mud prior to use. With this type of repair I would always do my best to get down to the drywall and remove all the old tape from being damaged by the moisture. I totally agree with the bed coat and Durabond whether you use paper or mesh (IMO mesh should only be used with a fast setting compound), but I then use the Easy Sand quick set on the first coat to add another layer of hard setting compund to the joint. Then on to the Plus3 and float out till it's no longer noticable

as a 47 yr plaster @ drywall vet, I agree with re-screwing the the board, however, I V- out the crack, vacuum , fill the crack with gun foam (not cans), leave it proud till set, then shave down with a fine notched trowel, ( lays flat), then a skim coat of mud (no tape), sand and paint with good paint that has a little flex. I have a 110 old victorian, and I have found that houses have "favorite places to crack do to expansion, etc. these cracks need to be filled and finished with materials that can flex since they will continue to move...foam will do this

A great video. I wish my painter, who has painted for 30 years had done this. Two days after crack repair and painting, the cracks were back not repaired. He thought I was being irrational about it

As a painting contractor, I have seen this method fail all too many times. In my area there is a massive temperature differences from 15 degrees in the winter to 120 degrees in the summer. Because of this almost every house around here has a crack on the living room celling. I have tried repairing them the way showed in the video but they generally come back. The only way I have got them to stop once and for all is to add backing behind the cracking area. Sometimes you can access it in the attic, if not you may have to cut a whole and replace the drywall with more wood behind it. It really sucks having to cut a whole in perfectly good drywall but its really the only way i have found to permanently fix the problem.

In my experience, the paper tape lasts a hell of a lot longer than the mesh tape if you have cracks like that forming from the sheets moving around.

As a home DIYer, I loved this. I'm hoping the materials come in smaller sizes. Thanks for the great video.

Excellent instruction! I taught school for 30 years. I know what I’m talking about. Lots of self-help videos give good information, but are still not enough for true novices. Lots of guys who “know what they’re doing” will benefit, too. Adding food coloring to the mud is brilliant! I’ve had a crack in my wall for years. Now I feel like I can fix it. Thank-you!

I love watching an experienced craftsman at work. Great work.

Hey folks, Barbie, the Builder from the UK 🇬🇧 here. What a wonderful video, absolutely spiffing. I'm absolutely killing my ceiling cracks, loving my USA 🇺🇸 imported mesh tape, and building thin layers for that perfect finish. You'd never know there was a ceiling crack. I love the idea of lilac paint. Incredibly jealous we can't get it here, nor tinted polyfilla (mud) and certainly no pink spackle, what a shame. Thank you, I'm loving this team USA 🇺🇸 ❤