Cracked Ceilings.

[kat-kin]

Advice needed please. I found a crack in my back room ceiling yesterday. It's roughly 15" long.What do I use to fill it in? the ceiling is artexed. I've got the same problem along the top of one wall in my porch which was damp but I had a new porch roof put on last week. TIA.

[The Builder]

Artex is very difficult, if not impossible to patch properly. You simply can't match its colour.

Usually, the answer is to repair, then paint the whole ceiling to get it to look right.

Fill with "decorator's caulk"..............

http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-decorator-s-caulk-white-310ml/57568

Applied using one of these...

http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-sealant-gun/83385

I wouldn't try to sand it. Just squirt, scrape off the excess, and smooth with a small paintbrush dipped in water. That's just one way to do it. :o)

[kat-kin]

Thanks TB! I've just ordered the caulk and sealant gun and I'll follow your advice for applying etc. Thanks again. kat.

[The Builder]

You're welcome, Kat

One last point.......... use a screwdriver or something similar to widen the crack enough to get some caulk in there, or it'll just stay on the surface, and get wiped off.

Have a practice somewhere. Its a useful skill to learn for future occasions.

[kat-kin]

Okay TB I will. I'll practise on my sons head:-) Thanks once again. kat.