If you think that patching drywall is already difficult, it’s even more so when gravity’s not on your side i.e., drywall ceilings.

All you need is to get a new piece of drywall, secure it to the joist beams, and apply small amounts of joint compound to the seams or just use spackle, depending on the size of the hole.

Having the skill to repair drywall will save you a ton in terms of labor cost. After all, if you can do it yourself, why let someone else handle it?

What is drywall?

Drywall is an item of convenience. It’s cheap and easy to install, making it a popular material for those who are on a tight budget.

It’s also a great material to work with in terms of repairs. A key ingredient is a joint compound which should always be applied after the mesh tape and drywall sheet.

What type of drywall is used in ceilings?

The usual type, the same one that you would attach to your walls. The only difference is that there’s a suggested thickness for ceilings to ensure that the drywall doesn’t droop down.

Gypsum is a material that can easily be used/attached since it’s already a premade product that can be installed through gluing items, hence its popularity.

It will make your ceiling sturdier and more durable due to the natural rigidness of the material. It’s also cost-efficient which is the cheapest out of the other drywalls.

Preparation

Being prepared ensures that projects will run smoothly and efficiently. I can’t tell you how many times people would forget stuff, taking them numerous minutes to amend.

Know your drywall

Which section was damaged? Does it have wiring, plumbing, or gas lines behind it? If so, it’s much better to call a professional than attempt to DIY the repair.

It’s also important to note the thickness of the drywall and if everything’s secured already.

Materials

Once you’re positive that there’s nothing noteworthy behind the drywall, you can start prepping all the materials that you’ll need for the project

This depends on the size of the hole you’re patching up. Some would require heavy materials while others would only use hand-held tools for the most part.

Patching the hole in the drywall ceiling

This step is dependent on how big the hole is. Of course, you’ll need additional steps and materials the larger the project is.

Less than 1 inch

Step 1: Spackling

The first thing that you must do is fill up the wall with spackling. The best type to use is vinyl spackling since it is produced specifically for patching up ceiling holes.

Step 2: Sanding

Sand it out until you reach a point where the texture is smooth. You should use a fine-grit sanding block and wipe the dust off afterward.

Step 3: Painting

You can paint and decorate it however you want.

More than 1 inch but less than 12 inches

Step 1: Wall texture

Use a putty knife to scrape the wall texture 2 inches beyond the hole. Be careful and don’t be too brash with the scraping.

Step 2: Drywall compound

Next, apply a drywall compound around the perimeter of the hole. You’ll need a mesh patching material that’s about 1 inch bigger and apply it by pressing the edges into the drywall compound. After that, apply a thin layer of compound over the patch.

Step 3: Sanding

Sand out the patched area until you reach a smooth texture. Use a fine-grit sanding block for the job. You’re allowed to apply another layer of the compound in case of recessed patches. Just make sure to sand it again and remove any dust afterward.

Step 4: Texture

It’s bound to look like it’s been patched up so make sure to texture it out by spraying on the area with a texture spray can. The instructions vary between products so make sure to follow the manufacturer’s guide as a reference.

Step 5: Painting

You can apply some primer to the patched area. Allow it to dry completely before applying your chosen ceiling paint – make sure it’s two coats!

More than 12 inches

Step 1: Safety checks

Double check everything and see if there’s something behind the hole, as suggested in the preparation. If you’re unsure of your skill level then it’s better to leave this one to the professionals.

Step 2: Joist beams

Locate the two nearest joist beams on the other sides of the hole. Use a drill with a long bit, preferably cordless, to mark the locations of the beams.

Step 3: Cut a square

Based on the mark, cut a square (use a drywall knife) and remove the affected drywall so that the joist beams would be exposed.

Step 4: Drywall sheet

Measure the drywall piece before cutting a new one that’s slightly smaller from a fresh drywall sheet. If you’re unsure of your measurements, you can cut a bigger one and adjust it afterward.

Step 5: Securing the cut drywall sheet

Position the placement over the hole. The screws should then be placed an inch from the drywall’s edge. Secure it to the joist beams using the drill.

Step 6: Joint compound

Apply a thin layer of joint compound to the seams and use a drywall taping knife. Afterward, cut mesh drywall tape based on the length of the seams and press it into the wet compound. To embed the tape, apply a layer of joint compound over it and let everything dry.

Step 7: Sanding

Sand down the patched area. When dealing with recessed seams, apply more compound and let it dry before sanding it.

Step 8: Painting

Apply texture, primer, and paint to the patched area (in that order). Always let everything dry completely and make sure to use two coats of paint.

The usual drywall ceiling thickness

Most of the time, 5/8 inches of drywall is used for the ceiling. This is due to its sturdiness of it which prevents sagging in the area between the ceiling joints.

A thicker panel is preferred for drywall ceilings. However, it’s also acceptable to use any type of drywall for the ceiling if it was installed correctly.

How to check the thickness

If the hole is not big enough to measure, you can cut an inspection hole that allows you to measure the thickness without much hassle.

Can you patch a plaster ceiling with drywall?

Yes, it’s possible to patch a plaster ceiling with drywall. You should cut out the damaged area first before patching it up with drywall and securing it with drywall screws.

Drywall ceilings tips and tricks

There are common problems in the drywall that comes with easy fixes. Some may already be familiar to you if you’re a long-time DIYer.

Protective gear

Time and time again, protection gears have been consistently mentioned. This is because, in DIY, it’s normal for little accidents to happen, especially for newbies.

That’s why it’s important to take extra precautions when doing these types of projects. That and to minimize the damage done to your hands with all that lifting.

Support board

This is a great way to add additional support to your ceiling. Just attach some by securing it to the joist beams before attaching the drywall onto it.

Texture

Very old ceiling textures (Ceilings made in 1977) may contain asbestos, a harmful chemical that can cause lung cancer. For your safety, do not do anything and call a professional for help/advice.

Common problems with drywall ceiling
(and how to fix it!)

It’s normal to encounter problems and need repair jobs. Sometimes, a sheet has been installed incorrectly, other times, it’s due to old age.

Cracks

To fix any cracks, sand down the paint and other loose drywall. Apply mesh tape over the crack before spreading the joint compound and then smoothing it out.

Nail pops

Use screws and drive them into both sides of the stud, where the nail is in. Make sure to remove the damaged material and replace/remove the old screws. Afterward, spread the joint compound.

Conclusion

Repairing drywall is easy once you’ve got all the basics down. It’s a bunch of repeated processes that you can easily get used to if you’ve done enough of it.

While the process may be similar, there are still variations in terms of the size of the hole you’re repairing as you’ll need to do more the bigger the hole gets.

And lastly, any type of wiring, plumbing, and gas lines should be left to the professionals. It’s very tricky to navigate this situation especially if it’s your first time with DIY drywall ceiling repairs.