Problem: A leak from your skylight has damaged your textured ceiling.
Solution: After you fix the leaking skylight, you can repair any damaged areas in the ceiling and reapply the textured paint.
Equipment list:
paint roller with textured sleeve
utility knife
sanding block and fine sandpaper
putty knives in several different widths
joint compound container
joint compound
joint tape
masking tape
latex paint
dust mask
safety glasses
drop cloth
* Joint compound is sometimes referred to as "mud."
* Textured ceilings can hide many drywall imperfections, so don't worry about getting professional results on your repairs.
Repair the damaged ceiling
- Spread a drop cloth around the area.
- Use a putty knife to scrape damaged paint from the ceiling. Hold the putty knife at about a 30-degree angle for the best results. Remove all the paint from the ceiling to avoid mismatched textures.
- Use the utility knife to remove any damaged sections of drywall. For small areas, remove as little drywall as possible. For larger damaged areas, cut out the entire damaged area and replace it with a patch using standard drywall repair techniques.
- With a small putty knife, spread a thin layer of joint compound along each seam.
- After smoothing the compound, cut a piece of drywall tape to length and apply it to the wet compound.
* Drywall tape has no adhesive and must be applied while the joint compound is still wet.
- With a clean putty knife, smooth the tape to remove air bubbles.
- Apply a layer of joint compound on top of the tape. Allow the compound to dry, and sand it smooth. Use a wider drywall knife to apply a second layer, and sand the compound smooth after it dries.
* For smooth drywall joints, keep the blade as steady as possible and maintain consistent pressure.
Apply the textured ceiling
* Textured rollers are available in a variety of patterns.
- Mix joint compound and latex paint until it reaches the consistency of cake batter.
- Use the textured roller to apply the paint to the ceiling. Use short strokes to apply the paint. Cover a small area with paint in one direction, and then roll across it for a random texture look.
- Use masking tape to protect the walls near the ceiling. Remove the tape after the paint is dry.
- Use a damp sponge to clean up any spills or residue.
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