Working one -handed, holding a camera, up a ladder. I love it when people risk their lives to teach me stuff - respect.

I’m a single woman with a ceiling that has a crack in it. I’ve avoided dealing with it because I just don’t want to pay somebody to fix it, but now that I’ve watched this video, I feel very confident in fixing it myself. Thanks!

Love this! I’m a single woman who loves to learn to diy stuffs! Thank you!

Absolutely well done video, Bill. Now I'm about to tackle a few cracks in OUR ceiling after watching this! Cheers .

This is how you make a DIY” how to” video! Informative, easy to follow and perfectly narrated. Well done, sir! I’m off to repair the cracks in my ceiling.

I've been a remodeling contractor in NorCal for 40 years. Your video shows that no matter how much you think you may know about the trade, there's always more to learn! Thanks for the tip about running a line perpendicular to the main crack to end the repair - I'll be using that technique on the next ceiling crack I have to deal with!

Omg...This is money well spent to hire someone who knows he/she's doing.....Thank you SO MUCH for sharing!!!!!

The end of the crack has infinite stress, which is why the crack will continue. Try to find the end of the crack then drill a hole at the end instead of the cross cut, which is better than nothing, but a hole is the best. This dissipates the stress along the circumference of the crack, and prevents the crack from continuing. Doesn't need to be a large hole - 5 or 6 mm drill would be fine and easy to patch up. Great repair and video.

Good point to end the stress rip with a cross line - you can also drill a hole at the end of the crack - the reason to do this is stress relief. Used to be done in Aluminium / steal as well to create a strong (round) end where the stress in the material cannot easily propagate.

An old Italian masonry worker showed me a trick to do away with the streaks from the larger scrapers. He said to Ben the edges in both ends up and when you load mud make sure to always use the opposite side of the bent edges. Perfect trick!

I didn't listen to this video, but I quickly watched it in fast motion, and I can vouch for the way he fixes this. This is the correct way.

You wore this amateur out, but now I know to get that 10 inch blade out, and put on the third coat. All those cracks need opened up too. I have a lot of work left to do. One 12 x 9 foot wall had 13 pieces of drywall on it and a couple places without wood under one side of the joint. I just flooded the low side and plan on a good tape job and wide float , to hide the mess. At 73 years of age I don't need to do it right... to much work. Besides there's another 35' by 9' wall, ....and above the garage door. This ain't the Garage Mahal... 5 star video. Thanks.

I've been staring at a crack in my drywall like this for a year but lacked the motivation and knowledge to do something about it. I guess I know what you'll be doing on my days off 😂👍🍻

Thank you for sharing ! I’m a single female & can’t afford repair ppl as I’ve found they rip me off. I feel totally confident to do this…thank you again ❤️

Contractors are expensive, now watching these very helpful diy videos, I can save money and get it done myself, I have leaking and a falling ceiling, from now on I,ll be doing all of them myself, thanks for sharing 😊.

I’m a 66 years old female. Your video was phenomenal. I am very confident that I would be able to repair my own wall. Thank you so much!!

So glad this video was recommended to me. I've been delaying this repair for far too long. It's about time I address it. Thanks for sharing

Ive been fixing drywall professionally for over 20 years. This crack will most likely come back if you use mesh tape. Never use mesh to fix cracks in drywall or plaster board. Use hot mud with taper tape.

This is guy is better than 99% of pros out there. So rare to have such attention to detail, thoughtfulness and diligence AND to be taking the time to teach others. When Bill fixes something it stays fixed. Give this man the attention he deserves!

great video, great knowledge. I've been filling cracks in walls for 20 years or more, this technique is fantastic

One of the best examples of how to deal with a crack in a smooth ceiling on KZfaq . Thanks from a UK decorator.

Bought a house in an Andalusian village in Spain earlier this years & it's chock full of cracks like this. Your video has given me the confidence & knowledge to bring it back to perfect condition. Cheers, mate. You've just earnt a new subscriber from the UK. 👍

Brilliant and easy to follow Video. Thank you so much. I have watched other video's on KZfaq how to repair ceiling cracks this is the best. Thank you! Have purchased all items required as I have the same crack. My husband has terminal pancreatic cancer and is too sick to do this. I have watched your video 3 times and will watch prior to attempting this myself. Kindest thoughts to you and your family and Furbabies from Victoria

We have been Trying to get a tradie out to do this work on repairs in every room ....we can’t even get them out to quote let alone do the work....so I thought stuff it I will learn to do it myself. Thankyou great video.

That's great! I think I might be able to do that. BTW, that trick with cutting across the crack is similar to something done on airplanes. If plastic cracks (say a wing fairing or something like that), the mechanic will drill a small hole at the end of the crack. That usually prevents the crack from propagating any further. So what you did is a good practice.

Thank you. I have been insanely frustrated with these types of ceiling cracks. I have several that need attention and your video just gave me the upper hand in fixing them. Much appreciated

As a diy'er I always thought I would be criticised for feathering by going across the plaster rather than lengthwise, Good to see my "home grown" method is actually a legitimate way used by professionals. I had never seen anyone do it before.

I'm the daughter of a construction owner and grow up having to work as a child for my father, but he never made us fix cracks he had us puting up drywall and taping and bonding and sanding and helping with demolition and so many other things, he was so hard on is kids teaching us how to work all the time. Then working with my ex husband also many years in construction I still never seen it done by my ex like that. Only see it done ones before but they put wholes also all over both sides of the line like stitching the wall. Then washing the walls with a Sophie spray then filling the wholes with a bond paste Then the ceiling them the mash type then the bond again and mash take same process as yours the only difrence was the wall was scrape to make deeper opening and the drill small wholes on both side of the crack lines then clean and then done all the same procedure as yours. Thank you so much for your video and your time to teach many of us new was to fix cracks on are walls. Really appreciate the time everyone wants to chare with others there knowledge. May the Lord Bless You and Your Family Always with the best so you keep sharing more videos like this one with many of us.

Thanks Bill, appreciate you washing us how to do these things. This video will come in very handy for so many people including me. I've got a couple of cracks I've been a meaning to fix for years. Now I feel confident in giving it a go.

Thank you for showing such an easy step by step problem solving process for a novice like me . I've watched your other videos on how to repair a peeling ceiling and am now confident to try and fix it myself! And as a mother and carer of 3 children, two of them with special needs , I really couldn't afford to pay a painter to do it so Thank you !!!

Lemme just say, as a home owner myself, THANK YOU for this video. I have some cracks i need to fix

Thanks Bill - excellent tutorial and now no more crack in my ceiling! So if a 5’3 8.5 stone gal like me can do it following your method- Anyone can 😂 Thank you ❤️👊🏼🙏🏼

Great tutorial! Finally, a video that is for a regular person! Fabulous results! 🙌🏻

There is something satisfying about mudding and skim coats. I finished about 1100 sq ft in my basement by using channels like this to pick up pointers and I saved about 40k by doing it myself. Keeping up with home maintenance is a task for anyone, but guys like you that take the time to share knowledge make it much easier. Thanks for the advice!

Everytime i was thinking "what do you do when...!" This guy explained it. This is proper video

That looks fantastic, and the tip about etching a line along the end of the crack is priceless. I've never dared use tape as I always assumed that it would create a conspicuous hump - but evidently not! Thanks!

I always created 1000 other cracks so it doesn't stand out but this is kewl also

Perfect timing that this popped up today. I have two cracks to repair and now I feel totally confident doing it! Thank you so much.

Homie, you’re badder than Shaft! That was a smoooth finish, done belt and braces too. Chapeau! I'm off to fix the pigs ear eyesore I made of my bedroom ceiling crack!

Absolutely brilliant 👏🏻. I've just bought my own home and I have a few 'cracks in my conservatory extension. After watching your tutorial in how to correct these cracks I'm actually quite looking forward to trying this myself👍🏻. Thanks and looking forward to more of your DIY videos.

Randomly stumbled across this channel, wasn't even looking at renovations or repairs but here I am subscribed and learning something new.

Intersection point. Brilliant! Fantastic tip and goes to show there is always something to learn. Thanks so much.

Thank you so much for explaining and demonstrating fixing a ceiling crack. Plus with the extra added things you personally do and why. From your video I was able to confidently fix my ceiling crack. Again thank you so much!

Wow! Where would modern civilization be without the University of KZfaq? Thanks much. Very useful!

😅 timing couldn't be Better. Thanks Billy

I would suggest one thing: try using fiberglass patch, since it is very resilient to reformation of cracks. It saves a whole lotta taping. Been doing it this way for many years now, and yes, it does work. Gave up taping most cracks for about a decade now.

Very impressed with your thoroughness and work intregrity! So many people nowadays cut corners and just dont care about finishing up properly. This was a very well explained and demonstrated video! Thank you

This guy was great. No ‘just alright’ allowed! He’s a bit OCD, just as I am. Would use him any day.

The end line to avoid further cracking, reminded me of repairing the crack on a hoof of a horse or cow, they do a little circle hole at the end of the crack that prevents it from going any further.

This was exactly what I was looking for, thanks for breaking this down with detailed descriptions and good video work.

If I can make a couple of suggestions. I was a drywall contractor for over 30 years with loads of experience from installing drywalling and taping new homes to renovating and fixing plaster finishes. Cracks appear because of some movement which is why adding some more screws into the joists around the crack will prevent this from reoccurring. While your technique is spot on, the first coat if using mesh tape should be either be durabond or sheetrock. The powder can easily be mixed by hand for small areas to create a smooth paste which will be stronger than simple drywall compound. The final two coats can be using the regular drywall compound as it is easy to sand and polish. This will guarantee the problem is permanently fixed.

I've been painting 40years and I've just learnt something new 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿.

I found this video at the right time. I'm repairing cracks. The tip you gave to prevent the crack from spreading further is a gem 💎 that will help my repair process tremendously!😉 Thanks for sharing.

Such a massive job for such a small crack. Thank you for the very helpful and detailed video!

Thank you so much. 70 year old woman here who had no idea how to go about fixing cracked walls in my house. 🥰

Thank you, thank you for the timely video. Many blessings to you and yours... 🙏🙏🙏

Love your work Bill. You make these tasks very simple to follow and replicate. Thanks !!!

No patch material used will stop the house from moving. You will be repairing it the next year or 2. Tell the customer this from the start, if you are reputable and guarantee your work. The crack in this video will 100% reappear. If the ceiling is textured, you can clean out the joint as done here then just caulk the joint with a Paintable, Flexible caulk and paint over it if the caulk doesn't match the ceiling color. If the ceiling is on the transition between a hall and an open room, add a header & drywall both sides for a permanent fix. You could also use a decorative styrofoam fake beam or a foah beam. For wall cracks in an open concept house with walls taller than 12ft, I have successfully fixed these by cutting out a 4x8 area and hanging a new piece of drywall only attaching it to the wall around the perimeter of the new drywall piece, letting the wall freely move behind the drywall.

This is so good. Thank you! I have a crack in the bathroom wall, I will be applying these steps to fix that myself soon. Excellent guidance, thank you again. 😊

Bill, you're an artist. Thanks for the video.

I love how through you were throughout this repair. Just about the time I might question something, you were already answering it. You made this seem completely doable. Thank you!

Great video, Bill...thanks for posting it. I may have a better solution for stopping the crack based on years working as an aircraft mechanic mitigating windscreen cracks. The issue is that the drywall (or windscreen) is stressed beyond where the crack ends, so the crack has already potentially continued past that point. I would drill a 1/4" hole at the visible end of the crack making a larger gap between what is already cracked and what is stressed. I am currently renovating an old house with it's share of stress cracks and will be using your method of patching. Thanks

I’ve been a homeowner for 5 year and own a rental property this video is excellent diy going to now knockout my home repairs and rental paint repairs outstanding job. Thank you for the great info and thank KZfaq for these platforms❤💯💯👍👍

I had a crack split across the whole bedroom ceiling. After watching your video I bought the multi tool and followed your advice. The first coat looks okay a few ridges. Thanks for your easy way to go about sorting this. Second coat when dry

Ahhhh this is so cool! I have to do all the repairs in my house because my boyfriend doesn’t know how to do anything, it’s so nice to see a man who can do something very well!!! Thanks for teaching, I’ll try my best 😊😊😊

I am so thankful for folks like this. They make home improvements much easier.

That was an excellent demo and explanation. I have done this before and definitely learned something new with the cross to prevent further cracking. Thank you.

Thank you for making this. It saved me some money not needing to hire someone. Also, the small suggestions you have make a big difference. Thanks!!

Guess what I am doing over Christmas break? This looks great, and thanks for the easy to follow instructions.

We had a mild earthquake in Mineral, Virginia. This cracked houses all over central Virginia. I have a stucco ceiling so I can't use tape. I had to take a razor knife & just V notch everything. I built the crack up with several coats. Primed & painted it. Still looks good. It's been 10 years or so. A blister in paint is hard to fix unless you rough sand the slick area or put tape in it. Best to cut a square & peel the paint back. Then add the tape with a glue back. You could scratch little lines in it to help it stick without the tape. Feather as you did, prime, & paint.

So good, I agree with Chuck Haas, I needed this video many years ago, but thanks for putting it up, this is definitely going to be useful to many. Especially loved how you did not talk to much, you just got straight into it.

Great instruction. I didn't know it could be that easy. We will get ours fixed now by ourselves! So much value. Thank you

Excellent job. That was a good demo. Simple, easy and well executed. Most residents encounter such nuisance, and now they have a simple solution to try. I am facing such a problem and I tried fixing it without the tape and probably the repair did not last long because I was unaware of this simple technique. Thanks Bill, wishing you good health... 👍

Seriously dude, you did a great job teaching me this. I'll do anything other drywall (and tile), but this makes me feel I can do it and get good results! Thank you!

With this information I repaired cracks on my house (walls cracks). House is almost 100 years old and cracks appeared after major renovations, because I filled the curvature of the walls in a hurry, which later made cracks on some walls painting. If you have curved walls, instead of using broad trowels one has to opt for smaller tools. Thank you very much, the repair succeeded splendidly.

Great video mate! Simple, informative and to the point. Thank you.

A few secrets of the trade... 1. If you want to speed up the process use cornice cement/basecoat 45 and add a sprinkle of gypsum to the mix ( will go off in 5 minutes) 2. Get the scraper instead of tapping it in with your hands run the scrapper along the tape it will go into the mud nicely. 3. In ten minutes you can literally do the second coat, wait till it goes firm, doesnt need to be fully dry 4. Use a hair dryer or heat gun to speed up the process even faster (be weary of the heat gun not to be so close) 5. Skim coat will be minnimal and will dry very quick. Add some gypsum to your fine finish top coat to go off faster aswell.. 6. You can even finish with cornice cement or base coat because they are ceilings and the paint is flat especially in areas where theres not much light. 7. Level each coat with the scrapper as its still wet but firm, ( it will shave off nicely like butter) that way save you time sanding in betweeen coats, dont have to sand and create dust. 8. Level and ramp the edges as smoothly to the gyprock as possible, that way not much sanding is required at all. 8. When finished use a vac sander. 9. If edges are done well and you dont have sand paper, you can even use a wet rag to smooth off the edges.

Im faced with the identical issue. As you mentioned, never knew that this was a common problem. Thanks for the tip of getting the repair done right the first time. It was a great video, and I will follow all the steps you went over to perform the repair of my ceiling. Thanks Bill, and good luck 🤞 with your future projects!

Hey Bill I see this video is a year old but man I wished you could come help me do some rooms in my 1876 home. I am a diy’er and I am going to attempt skim coating in one of my upstairs rooms. My husband passed away 7 yrs ago from brain cancer at age 60. I was 54. Darn I miss him helping with all things house. I need you as my clone lol !!! Nice work ! Well done✌️✌️✌️

I'm helping a buddy of mines do a job tomorrow with cracks on walls and ceilings and he's going to have me fill the cracks now I feel confident going in tomorrow thank you sir!!!

Excellent video you made all the key points look so simple. There was nothing there; that anyone would feel was to difficult 😞 I feel that I’m armed, with the right information; to tackle my crack in the ceiling. Thank so much, precise and to the point.

This was incredibly helpful, thank you so much for sharing this!

Followed this and super pleased with the result. Never done anything like this before, the video was great.

Dude, great video! I've got a crack that's been staring at me, daring me to try to fix it. I'm ready now.

brilliant lesson Bill, full of all the information needed to do it correctly and what a finish !

Just what I needed to see! I had a new house built 7 years ago. It developed a crack that ran across the ceiling. It has traveled more and gotten a littler wider over time. Now I know why it happened and how to fix it! Happy New Year!

Thank Bill, looks just like my 2nd floor ceiling. I'm heading up to do the job now. Great tutorial !!!

Totally doable. I was about to hire a mason. Now, amma do it myself. Excellent tutorial 👌 👍

I wish I had seen this video earlier. What a great teaching video!! Thank you for taking the time to film it!

Bill thank you for taking the time and effort to produce this excellent tutorial. Very much appreciated as with all the other comments I especially appreciate the way you explain the steps with why they are important for a proper result. Cheers

I thought my smoke detectors needed batteries, then I remembered I don't have smoke detectors, haha. Nice work man!

Perfect video. Gave me all the info and confidence to do my sister’s roof crack. Thank you from Seattle. ❤

Thanks for the video. I definitely feel confident doing my living room ceilings. I wasn't sure how to go about it, but your instructions helped alot. Thank you again

Bill, your attention to detail and demand for perfection are a thing of beauty. It's a work of art.

Yes! Thank you! Our crack is above our fireplace. The ceiling is a one large room where we had to put in support beams as there wasn’t enough support or another bearing wall. Our hope is when cracks are fixed, it doesn’t come back.

Thank you for the easy diy info. I've been holding off repairing my cracks around my house since it will be my first time, but your video assured me it's not rocket science to do. Subscribed!

Great step-by-step! Would love to see a video repairing a crack on a textured wall.

Great video, thanks. I had to do this exact same repair, but I didn't know the proper way. I only did one layer with the tape and it looks bad, now I can fix it properly :)

This is called excellent workmanship no one can tell there was a crack in the roof Good 👍 work

Hello , thank you for sharing great helpful tip on fixing a ceiling. I have watched this video a few times to get the hang of repairing my ceiling. Thank you so much for posting.