Patching and Plastering - Patching a Vaulted Ceiling

Question: I had a leak in my vaulted ceiling, the roof was repaired but the damage on the inside of the house still needs work. Water got in along the seem of the drywall on the vaulted ceiling and seeped through and left a water mark and about a 12" crack along the seem in whatever it is that is covering the drywall (textured paper covering of some sort?).

I've already sanded the area, and was prepping it for one of the steel drywall patches, but gravity is working against me and the patch isn't staying put.

I also have the textured finish ready to go...just need to figure out how to fix the seem before I finish it.

There is no actual hole, Can I just mud and tape it?

Thanks in advance,
Chris

I don't think you can do that. The patch isn't staying due to the dampness. You have to cut out the damaged sheet rock to the next joists on either side. Replace it, then tape and spackle.

Alright...I asked around and got the fix. For anybody else that may need it:

The "paper" on the water-marked seem that I was hesitant to remove turned out to just be the tape. I wasn't sure since it was so thick...the house is older and has a few layers of paint on it.

So, I removed the tape about to about 6" outside both sides of the damaged area, applied the mud, taped, and will sand and re-mud after it dries. I was also told to use a wet sponge to smooth the seem after it partially dries.

After that I apply my textured coating and I'm done.

It was one of those things where you're thinking to yourself: "Okay, I could either save myself $200 doing this myself, or cost myself an extra $200 by screwing it up more"

You really don't have to sand between the coats of mud. Just go wider on the second coat.


What? I have to wait 180 seconds between posts?
Who's idea was that?

Glad you took out the damaged part of the drywall. It would have created problems down the line, so it's good to take care of it now.