Ceiling Repair That Actually Lasts
Ceilings are tricky. Cracks come back, patches sag, water stains bleed through. We diagnose the real cause before we patch — so you're not calling someone else in six months. Whether it's a hairline crack, a fallen section, or a mystery stain, we fix it properly.
When You Need This Service
- Hairline or stress cracks in the ceiling that keep coming back
- Water stain or yellow patch from a previous leak (once the leak is fixed)
- Sagging or bulging drywall from water or age
- Hole in the ceiling from a fallen fixture or upstairs plumbing access
- Nail pops, seams showing, or ceiling tape lifting
- Damage after removing a ceiling fan, light fixture, or old chandelier
What's Included
- Diagnosis of the real cause — structural movement, settling, humidity, old failure
- Removing damaged drywall and any compromised material behind it
- Installing proper backing and new drywall where needed
- Taping, mudding, and sanding with 3+ coats and feathered edges
- Stain-blocking primer for water marks (so they don't bleed through)
- Ceiling texture matching — smooth, stipple, or knockdown
- Priming and touch-up painting to match existing ceiling
- Full dust containment and cleanup
Our Process
Here's exactly what happens when you hire us for ceiling repair.
Inspection first
We check what caused the damage before we repair. Patching a ceiling without fixing the cause is how you end up paying twice.
Confirm cause is resolved
If water damage, we confirm the leak is fixed. If structural, we identify if settling is ongoing. No point patching if the problem is active.
Remove damaged material
We cut out anything compromised — wet drywall, failed patches, lifted tape. Clean edges make a clean repair.
Backing, new board, and taping
Proper backing, new drywall cut to fit, tape, and the first mud coat. This is the structural work that makes the repair last.
Mud, sand, texture
2-3 additional coats of mud, sanded between each. For textured ceilings we match the original stipple or knockdown.
Prime and paint
Stain-blocking primer for water marks, then ceiling paint (flat white usually, or matched to your existing colour).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does ceiling repair cost?
Small repairs start at $350. A hairline crack repair is typically $350-$500. Water-damaged sections or larger holes are $500-$1,500 depending on size and whether new drywall is needed. We quote the exact price after seeing the damage — quotes are always free.
Why does my ceiling crack keep coming back?
Two reasons. First, the cause wasn't addressed — usually seasonal movement or structural settling — so any patch eventually re-cracks. Second, the patch wasn't done with proper taping and feathering, so it failed. We diagnose the cause and use mesh tape reinforcement for cracks in movement-prone areas so they stay fixed.
Can you fix a water-damaged ceiling?
Yes, but only after the leak is fixed. If the source (roof, plumbing, appliance) is still leaking, any repair will fail. Once it's dry and the leak is resolved, we remove the damaged drywall, check for mould, install new board, and refinish to match. Stain-blocking primer prevents the old water mark from bleeding through paint.
Do you repair stipple and knockdown ceilings?
Yes. Textured ceilings are trickier than smooth because the patch has to match the texture pattern. We match stipple, knockdown, orange peel, and most standard ceiling textures. If the ceiling is very old, sometimes full re-texturing of a section is the cleanest approach.
Is the ceiling going to match the rest of the room?
That's the goal. We texture-match, prime, and touch-up paint. If you have the original ceiling paint we'll use it. If not, matched paint usually blends fine because ceilings are most often flat white, but colour-matched ceilings may need a full re-paint of the section to look seamless.
How long does ceiling repair take?
Most small-to-medium ceiling repairs are a one-day job, though mud needs dry time between coats. Larger repairs or water-damaged sections can take 2-3 visits because the mud has to fully cure before texturing and painting.
Do you handle old plaster ceilings?
Yes. Plaster ceilings in older homes (pre-1960s) behave differently than modern drywall. We have experience with plaster repair, including matching existing finishes and reinforcing cracks without causing more damage to the surrounding plaster.
Ceiling Repair Across the Golden Horseshoe
We provide ceiling repair throughout Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Hamilton, Mississauga, and Waterdown. Pick your city for local details.