How to Patch Holes in a Plaster Ceiling

Small Holes in the Ceiling

• 1

  Scrape loose paint and crumbling drywall away from the hole in the ceiling. If the hole is due to a nail pop, hammer or screw the fastener back into the ceiling joist. If you don't secure the nail or screw, it will continue working its way loose and will pop out again.

• 2

  Apply lightweight spackle with a putty knife. Unlike drywall joint compound or vinyl spackle, the lightweight or "no-shrink" spackle will stay in place on a ceiling. Very deep holes may still need two applications to be flush with the surrounding surface.

• 3

  Sand the hole with a sanding pad or 120-grit sandpaper until it's smooth.

• 4

  Match the ceiling texture if necessary. Most ceiling textures, including acoustic "popcorn" texture, knock-down and orange peel are available in spray cans from paint and hardware stores. Follow label directions.

• 5

  Prime the repair with water-based primer or with the ceiling paint. Follow up with another coat of ceiling paint, rolling it out to blend with the rest of the ceiling.

Large Holes in the Ceiling

• 6

  Clean out the hole as above. For holes about 1 inch in diameter, apply lightweight spackle (it's OK if you can only get it to adhere around the edges of the hole) and press a square of fiberglass mesh drywall tape over the repair. Smooth off the excess spackle and let it dry.

• 7

  Use a metal drywall patch for larger holes, up to 6 inches wide. They're adhesive on one side -- press it over the hole. There's no need to use spackle before putting a metal patch on.

• 8

  Apply one or two coats of joint compound over the tape or metal patch using a drywall knife. Extend the joint compound beyond the margins of the hole so it blends with the ceiling.

• 9

  Sand, texture and prime the repair.