Recessed light holes
Abandoned can-light cutouts are backed, plugged with new board and finished flat so the old layout disappears.
Overhead drywall repair
Ceiling Drywall Repair in Fort Collins
Ceilings take damage that walls never see: roof leaks, attic foot traffic, truss movement and the holes left when recessed lights are moved or removed. Fort Collins Drywall Pros repairs ceiling drywall in homes across Fort Collins and has since 2011. Overhead work is a specialty inside our broader drywall repair practice, built over more than 1,300 completed jobs in Northern Colorado.
Homeowners call us about a crack that opens every winter, a stain that came back through the paint, or a sag between joists that seems to be getting worse. Landlords and property managers call when a unit needs ceiling holes patched before a move-in. Electricians and remodelers call when a new lighting layout leaves a ceiling full of abandoned cutouts that need to disappear before the painter arrives and the room goes back into use.
Ceiling repair needs more setup than wall repair: plastic over furniture, lifts or scaffolding, and a texture that blends when you look up from across the room. We find the cause of the damage before we patch it, so the same crack does not reopen next January. Every repair is quoted in writing before we start, and the dust stays inside the work area.
Diagnosis first
What ceiling cracks usually mean
A crack is a symptom. We figure out the cause before we patch, because a repair that ignores it will simply crack again.
Straight cracks along a seam
Usually a joint that was under-taped or finished in cold weather. We cut out the failed tape, re-bed it with paper tape and setting compound and refinish.
Cracks where ceiling meets wall, worse in winter
The classic sign of truss uplift, common in trussed-roof homes across Northern Colorado. Gypsum Association guide GA-227 covers the fix: fasteners moved off the wall's top plate and a flexible corner detail so the joint can move.
Spider-web or diagonal cracks
Often movement in the structure below or settling. If cracks keep widening, we recommend a structural check before cosmetic work.
Cracks with a stain
Water got there first. We find out whether the leak is fixed and the board is dry before we repair. See water damage drywall repair.
Common jobs
Ceiling repairs we handle
Sagging ceilings
Board that sags between joists is re-fastened or replaced. Common where 1/2 in. board spans 24 in. framing under heavy insulation.
Nail pops overhead
Popped nails are driven home and new screws are added beside them before we fill and blend.
Leak stains
Stains bleed through latex paint. We seal them with a stain-blocking primer and replace board that was soaked.
Attic foot-throughs
A foot through the ceiling from the attic is cut square, backed from above and patched from below.
Texture blending
Knockdown, orange peel, stipple and popcorn patches blended over a wide area so they do not outline under lights.
Before and after
Recessed light holes, patched and gone
Crack over your head again this winter?
Send a photo and tell us when it appears. We will tell you what is likely causing it and what the fix costs.
Overhead process
How we repair a ceiling
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STEP 01
Cover and contain
Furniture and floors are covered, and the room is sealed so dust does not travel.
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STEP 02
Open and inspect
We cut to sound board and look at framing, fasteners and moisture before deciding on the patch.
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STEP 03
Back and patch
New backing and board are installed flush with the surrounding ceiling.
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STEP 04
Finish and blend
Tape, thin coats and a texture blended wide enough to disappear from floor level.
Protection
Working safely overhead in a finished room
Ceiling work in a lived-in room is mostly about protection. We move or wrap furniture, lay drop cloths and plastic, and use HEPA vacuum sanders so the dust does not settle on everything you own.
For tall ceilings, stairwells and vaults we bring scaffolding or a rolling platform rather than balancing on ladders. Most single-area ceiling repairs take two to three short visits because each coat has to dry before texture.
Keep exploring
Related drywall services
Drywall Repair
Holes, cracks, nail pops, torn paper and corner bead, patched and textured to disappear under paint.
Water Damage Drywall Repair
Stained, bulging and soaked drywall cut out, dried, replaced with the right board and finished to match.
Texture Matching
Knockdown, orange peel, skip trowel and hand textures matched to your walls, plus full texture changes and smooth-wall conversions.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal
Asbestos testing first, then contained wet scraping, skim coating and a smooth or textured ceiling ready for paint.
Service areas
Ceiling Repair beyond Fort Collins
Our crews run ceiling repair jobs across Northern Colorado. These towns have their own pages, written around the homes, codes and permit offices there.
FAQ
Ceiling Repair questions
Straight answers to what people ask us most. Have a different question? Call or send a photo with the quote form.
Why does my ceiling crack in the same spot every winter?
Most often it is truss uplift. Roof trusses bow upward in cold, dry weather and pull the ceiling off the wall. The fix is re-fastening and a flexible corner detail, not more mud.
Is a crack in my ceiling a structural problem?
Usually not. Straight cracks along seams and corner cracks are cosmetic. Cracks that widen over time, run diagonally or come with sticking doors should be checked by a structural engineer.
Can you patch holes from old recessed lights?
Yes. We back each opening, fit a new drywall plug, tape and finish it, then match the texture so the old layout disappears.
How much does ceiling drywall repair cost?
It depends on the number and size of repairs, ceiling height and texture. Ceilings take more protection and setup than walls. Send photos and we will send a written price.