How to Fix a Hairline Crack in Textured Drywall

Textured drywall cracks must be repaired in two separate steps. First, the crack (and its cause) needs to be addressed. Once this problem is fixed, the second issue of adding texture is the next order of business. Small drywall cracks are common, especially over doors and windows and can't really be prevented. These cracks appear due to the house's natural settling. A more severe problem is cracks caused by water damage. In this case, eliminating the root problem is essential before attempting any repair.

Utility knife
Drywall mud
Sandpaper
Paint
Texturing materials

Instructions

- 1
  Scrape around the crack with a utility knife. Small imperfections in the drywall paper can ruin your patch. Use a utility knife and scrape away the drywall around the hairline crack.
- 2
  Apply a thin layer of mud to the crack. Load up a small amount of mud on a drywall trowel and smooth it over the crack. Press down to get the mud into the actual crack. Scrape away any excess with the side of your trowel.
- 3
  Apply drywall tape over the mud. Press this down into the mud to get a firm seal and let it set for a few minutes. Scrape off any excess mud.
- 4
  Mud over the tape. To ensure a secure bond, apply one more coat of drywall mud over the tape. This can be a thin coat, but the tape should not show through it. Let this set.
- 5
  Sand over the mud. Sand over the drywall patch until the mud is smooth and even.
- 6
  Texture the drywall. Use a textured paint or your own preferred method and add texture to the drywall patch until it matches the rest of the wall.

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