Many homes and buildings have textured ceilings that both add to the internal decor, as well as absorb sound. If ceiling repairs are required, such as in the wake of a roof leak, the texture of the ceiling also requires repair. While matching the existing ceiling texture is a straightforward task, it takes some practice to blend the repair site in with the surrounding ceiling. The supplies, however, are relatively inexpensive and homeowners can accomplish the project themselves.
Instructions
1. Spread plastic drop cloths over the floor under the area of ceiling you are repairing. Position a ladder under the area so that you can easily access all areas of the repair site.
2. Fill a spray bottle with 1 to 2 cups of warm water and spray the ceiling area with a fine mist, just until it is wet. Wait until the texture feels soft and scrape off all damaged or discolored texture using a putty knife.
3. Wait until the ceiling is completely dry and apply a white primer over it using a paint roller to prepare it for the texture material. Wait until the primer dries completely to the touch.
4. Open a tub of joint compound, also called drywall mud. Scoop out 3 to 4 cups and place it into a 1 gallon bucket. Add water to the bucket a little at a time and stir using a trowel. Continue adding water until the joint compound mix is the constancy of syrup.
5. Apply the mixture using a 3- to 4-inch-long brush and dabbing the bristles against the ceiling if you have a popcorn texture. If the ceiling is a swirl texture, spread it on in a 1/4-inch-thick layer with a drywall trowel. Then move the bristles of the brush in semicircles to match the swirls. If the ceiling has a crow's feet or "slapbrush" pattern, apply the joint compound to a long-bristled paint brush and tap it against the ceiling to match the texture.
6. Wait 24 hours to allow the joint compound to dry and then or cream-colored paint over the entire ceiling with a thick-napped roller to further blend the textures together.
Tags: joint compound, Wait until, against ceiling, apply white, repair site