How to Repair Walls & Ceilings | Wall Crack Repair Guide

No matter how careful you are, you are bound to come across dents or cracks in your home. Thankfully, repairing a plaster wall is an easy task anyone can do with the right know-how.

We know that DIY projects can feel daunting at first, but we have broken down the process into simple, manageable steps so you can be proud of the job you do. We are here to guide you through the steps to fix a damaged interior wall, covering everything from a simple wall or ceiling crack repair to repairing a large hole in a plaster wall.

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You will need a tape measure, hand saw, cordless drill, replacement plasterboard, timber batons, interior filler, and protective safety gear.
Fix the damage by cutting away loose pieces, creating a clean hole, and securing a new piece of plasterboard to a support baton inside the wall cavity.
Finish the repair by taping the edges, applying a smooth layer of mixed interior filler, sanding it down once dry, and painting the surface.

Repairing ceiling damage

Whether you need the best way to patch ceiling damage, how to repair a hole in a ceiling, or you are tackling a plasterboard ceiling repair, we have you covered. Before starting, identify the type of ceiling damage you have. If you are looking to repair a water-damaged ceiling, ensure you fix the leak first.

For standard holes, our guide gets your home looking fresh. Make sure that you always wear a dust mask and protective gloves when tackling a ceiling repair.

How to repair a wall or ceiling

First, create a safe space to work in. Use a cable detector to ensure there are no pipes or wires behind the breach.

Use a utility knife to cut away loose pieces until the hole is clear.

Measure the size of the hole, giving 2cm to 5cm excess. Mark down the size so you remember what size to cut the new piece.

Mark your measurements on the plasterboard, then score into the lines using a utility knife. This should then snap clean along the line with a light knock.

Alternatively, you can use a handsaw to cut out the block ready for replacement.

Make sure to tidy up the edges with a utility knife.

Place your freshly sawn block against the hole to create an outline.

Score from each of the four corners to the middle.

Use your saw to cut into those four scored lines.

Cut into the outline again, and the central pieces should become loose. Pull them out, or use a hand saw if they are stuck. Tidy up the outline before testing if your plasterboard cut fits. If it does not fit, cut away a small amount.

Cut a small piece from your timber slightly wider than the hole to act as a support baton. Insert it into the hole to hold your replacement plasterboard in place.

Drill a screw into the centre of the baton so you can grip onto it whilst drilling screws into it through the wall. Remove this screw once you have secured the baton.

Use a drill to drive screws through the wall and into the support baton. Bear in mind that for larger holes, you may even need two support batons.

Insert the replacement plasterboard piece so it fits snug. Depending on the repair hole size, secure the replacement plasterboard using two or three screws.

Apply plaster guard repair tape to the four sides of your repair.

Fill your mixing bucket with water and add the filler powder solution in accordance with the instructions on your packaging.

Use a drill mixing bit to mix the solution together until it has a smooth consistency.

Use a plastering trowel to coat the repair area. Smooth it out until it is nicely feathered at the edges. Leave it to dry for two to three hours.

Once dried, use a sanding block to smooth it out and eliminate any high areas. Place a vacuum hose below the repair to catch the compound dust as you are sanding it.

When you are happy with the smoothness, it is time to get painting. After you have finished painting, you are all done, and your wall should look good as new.

Looking for a guide to take you through painting techniques? Our guide on how to paint a room is ideal for completing the project.