Wall & Ceiling Repair Simplified: 11 Clever Tricks | Family Handyman

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Home House & Components Parts of House Walls Brilliant Solutions for Repairing Ceilings

By Family Handyman

Family Handyman's Editorial Process

Updated on Apr. 08, 2025

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Repairing your ceilings can seem like a daunting task, but these simple and quick solutions will leave you feeling more confident in your carpentry skills. You should be able to use these items in tandem with tools already in your house, but Ezra Laniado, founder of Landmark Construction Crew Inc., recommends having certain essentials on hand.

“It depends on the circumstances, but to repair most drywall damage, a few must-haves are in order. These include a spackling knife and trowel, utility knife, drywall jab saw and a sanding block with ample sandpaper,” he says.

Read on to find the best DIY wall and ceiling repair tips.

Popcorn Ceiling Patch Texture

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Drywall Repair Clips for Patches

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Mini Texture Gun

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Stress Crack Tape

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Stain Blocking Primer

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What to Consider When Fixing Ceiling Cracks

Instant Patch

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Popcorn Ceiling Patch Texture

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$7.98 at Lowe's

$28.97 at Amazon

For small repairs on popcorn ceilings, such as hairline cracks in ceiling, dab on this stuff. Start with a light application, let it dry and add more if needed. With some careful brush work, you can perfectly match the surrounding texture and easily cover minor cracks in ceiling.

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Drywall Repair Clips for Patches

12.1421% OFF$9.51 at Walmart

$9.53 at Amazon

If you’re installing a drywall patch, you’ve got to screw the patch to something. Usually, that means installing wood backing. But here’s a quicker, easier way: Screw drywall repair clips to the surrounding drywall and screw in the patch. Then break off the tabs and you’re ready for mud.

Mini Texture Gun

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$24.97 at Amazon

We’ve had some good results using texture from aerosol spray cans—and some disasters. The texture blasts out fast and heavy. One wrong move and you’ve got an over-textured mess. This little hand-pump gun is much easier to control. It spits out just a little texture with each blast. So you can spray on a light texture, then add more until it looks right. Still, it’s best to practice on some cardboard first. Also have a bucket and sponge handy in case you need to wipe away a misfire and start over. We got good results matching orange peel, splatter and knockdown textures, but lousy results with popcorn ceiling texture.

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Stress Crack Tape

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18.986% OFF$17.88 at Amazon

Step Saver Stress Crack Tape sounds like the perfect solution for cracks. Just stick it on and paint over it. So we gave it a try. The tape was still visible from across the room—even under two coats of paint. If you take a few minutes to skim over it with joint compound, the tape disappears completely. But will the tape stretch and stay stuck through seasonal crack movement?

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Stain Blocking Primer

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17.3013% OFF$15 at Amazon

Shop Zinsser Covers Up

If you have a water-stained ceiling, a stain-blocking primer is mandatory to prevent the stain from bleeding through a fresh coat of paint. You could roll on primer, but there are two spray-can products you should consider first: Kilz Upshot and Zinsser Covers Up are both stain-blocking primers, and both have nozzles that shoot upward—perfect for ceiling work. Upshot is tinted to match aged, unpainted ceiling texture. Covers Up is a lighter shade of off-white. So if you’re lucky, the primer will blend in and you won’t have to paint the whole ceiling.

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Instant Patch

$21.64 at Walmart

14.9932% OFF$10.16 at Amazon

Every fix-it guy we know—DIYer or pro—loves selfstick metal patches. Just stick one over the hole and mud over it. Find them in sizes from 4 x 4 in. to 8 x 8 in.

What to Consider When Fixing Ceiling Cracks

There are lots of things to consider when fixing ceiling cracks. If you think it’s a bigger project than you can handle, it’s best to call in a professional. “You could patch your ceiling on your own. However, to achieve a perfectly smooth appearance that blends seamlessly into your ceiling, you might want to have a professional do it,” says Laniado. If you’re considering a DIY approach, to determine which products are necessary, consider the type and location of the damage on your ceiling, the size of the repair area and the texture of your ceiling.

Why You Should Trust Us

In addition to gathering tips from various Family Handyman editors, we sought advice from Ezra Laniado, founder of Landmark Construction Crew Inc. With an engineering degree from USC and a passion for construction, Laniado specializes in building energy-efficient homes that are cost-effective to maintain. His meticulous attention to detail sets his company apart and positions him as an authority on products for addressing ceiling repair cracks.

How We Found the Best Wall and Ceiling Repair Solutions

We researched various ceiling issues and identified the best products for addressing them. Our selection criteria focused on finding solutions that were simple to use and effective. Additionally, we consulted with a carpenter to ensure comprehensive coverage of wall and ceiling repair essentials. Lastly, we analyzed user reviews to provide insights into real-world experiences with these products.