Drywall & Plaster Crack Repair Services in Philadelphia, PA

Cracks in your drywall or plaster can detract from your home's beauty and may indicate underlying structural issues.

At Philly Home Improvement, we specialize in professional drywall and plaster crack repair services throughout the Philadelphia area, ensuring your walls and ceilings are both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound.

Why Chose us for Crack Repairs?

  • Experienced Professionals: Our team has years of experience in all phases of construction, and has a fundamental understanding of why drywall and plaster crack over time, and how to repair walls and ceilings in a way that addresses the underlying issues so they don’t keep coming back.

  • Clean Repair Process: We mask off the entire room or area with plastic sheeting and floor protection to minimize disruption to your home and ensure your space is clean and tidy when we finish.

  • Fast, Efficient Service: We use rapid setting products so we can be in and out same day. Most small crack repairs can be completed in under two hours including site prep, and clean-up

  • Seamless Results: We ensure that your repairs blend perfectly with the surrounding plaster or sheetrock, so you’ll never notice where the cracks were.

  • Local Expertise: Most Philadelphia row homes are over 100 years old, were built with products made before modern building code and safety regulations. As a result, it can be very difficult to combine modern, regulated products, which are only designed and tested to work in buildings constructed after 1983, Fortunately, we’ve been working on these older homes for over a decade, and know exactly how to do this.

  • Licensed and Insured: Philly Home Improvement is fully insured, and licensed to do work in the state of Pennsylvania, the city of Philadelphia, Delaware County, and Montgomery County

Plaster Repair Philadelphia
Drywall Ceiling Repair Philadelphia

Understanding Drywall and Plaster Cracks

Types of Cracks:

  • Outside Corner Cracks: Drywall cracks in straight lines along the outside corners of the walls because we use what’s known as a “corner bead” in drywall finishing. It’s usually a metal 90 degree angle, to protect the sheetrock from bumps and dings. What you’re seeing is a crack along the outside of the corner bead.

  • Straight Line Cracks: Usually indicate your house has sheetrock walls, and someone took a shortcut when finishing the drywall

  • Ceiling Cracks: If they are on the first floor they can be a result of subfloor deflection from the floor above

  • Stair-Step Cracks: Diagonal cracks resembling stair steps usually indicate your home has plaster walls, and are a result of structural movement or foundation settling.

Common Causes:

  • Temperature and Humidity Fluctuations: Changes can cause the framing behind the drywall, or the lathe behind the plaster to expand or contract, leading to cracks.

  • Structural Settling: Over time, buildings naturally settle, which can result in cracks.

  • Poor Installation or Workmanship: Inadequate installation techniques can make walls more susceptible to cracking. Common causes are not taping joints properly, or using the wrong types of joint tape, or corner beads with the wrong types of drywall compound.

Drywall Repair Philadelphia

Preventative Measures

To minimize future cracking:

  • Maintain Consistent Indoor Conditions: Regulate temperature and humidity levels to prevent material expansion and contraction.

  • Regular Inspections: Periodic checks from a reputable inspection company can catch early signs of structural damage allowing for prompt repairs before they get worse

  • Hiring The Right Contractors: Who have the knowledge and experience to get it done right the first time

Contact Us

If you're experiencing cracks in your drywall or plaster, don't wait for them to worsen. Contact Philly Home Improvement today for a free consultation and let our experts restore your walls and ceilings to their original condition.

Our Comprehensive Crack Repair Process

  1. Site Prep: Before doing anything we mask the entire area off with plastic sheeting, to minimize the disruption to your household and streamline the cleaning process

  2. Inspection: We begin with a thorough assessment to identify the type and cause of the cracks.

  3. Repair and Reinforcement

    For Drywall Cracks:

    • We will attach additional fasteners to the framing behind the drywall, to minimize joint movement during seasonal changes.

    • We use a technique called “V-Grooving” where we cut out any loose sheetrock around the crack, so we can apply stronger setting-type joint compound to the crack, which will bond the surfaces together

    • We always use a high-strength, fiberglass reinforced drywall joint tape along the surface, paired with a chemically hardening repair compound

    For Larger Plaster Cracks:

    • Plaster is a little bit more complicated as it’s coating applied to strips of lathe, and usually has oil or lead based paint, which modern products following don’t adhere to as well

    • For smaller repairs, we use a similar process as we do with modern sheetrock, but after applying a multi surface bonding primer to the repair area, so the repair lasts long term

    • For larger repairs, we use 6 inch to 36” repair fabric, to cover the entire cracked area with a new wall surface, and smooth out the repair so it blends seamlessly with the original plaster

  4. Finishing Touches: We sand down any tool marks or ridges, and clean up the area so it’s nicer than before we arriived

Plaster Crack Repair Philadelphia
Drywall Crack Repair Philadelphia
Drywall Crack Repair Philadelphia
Drywall Ceiling Crack Repair Philadelphia

Recently Completed Jobs in the Philadelphia Area

Areas We Service in Philadelphia

Areas We Service in Delaware County

Areas We Service in Montgomery County

Services We Offer

  • Drywall Repair Philadelphia

    Drywall Repair

    We fix damaged drywall, from small holes to big cracks. We use industry best practices to stop future problems.

    Most patches can be done the same day with quick-setting joint compound.

    Drywall Repair
  • Ceiling Repair Near Me

    Ceiling Repair

    Got water damage, cracks, or sagging ceilings? We fix and replace ceiling drywall for a smooth, lasting finish that matches your current ceiling.

    Ceiling Repair
  • Water Damage Drywall Repair Near Me

    Water Damage Remidiation

    Water-damaged drywall in your basement?

    We will take out damaged materials and put in new moisture-resistant drywall. This will help stop future damage. We will also make sure it blends well with the existing drywall.

    Our fast-drying techniques allow for quick restoration with long-lasting results.

    Water Damage Remidiation
  • Drywall Crack Repair Philadelphia

    Stress Crack Repair

    Over time, homes settle, leading to stress cracks in drywall and plaster. We use advanced techniques and very specific materials to reinforce the joints to prevent cracks from reappearing, providing a long-term fix.

    Crack Repair
  • Drywall Patch Service Philadelphia

    Drywall Patching Service

    Need a drywall patch? Our experts ensure repairs are strong, smooth, and blend well with your wall.

    We cover the whole area to keep your house clean. We can usually do 3-4 coats in one day to finish the job In one trip to the house.

    Drywall Patching
  • Drywall installation philadelphia

    New Drywall Installation

    Whether you’re remodeling or building new, we offer full drywall installation services, including framing, hanging, taping, and finishing. Our expert craftsmanship ensures smooth, professional results.

    Learn More
  • Popcorn Ceiling Removal Philadelphia

    Popcorn Ceiling Removal

    Get rid of outdated popcorn ceilings with our expert removal services. We can safely remove, replace, or install new drywall over existing popcorn ceilings for a smooth, modern finish.

    Ceiling Repair
  • Plaster Repair Philadelphia

    Plaster Restoration

    Older homes in Philadelphia often have plaster walls and ceilings that crack over time. Our team specializes in repairing and reinforcing plaster to extend its lifespan and maintain your home’s historic charm.

    Plaster Restoration
  • Plaster Skim Coating Philadelphia

    Skim Coating

    Textured surfaces? Uneven Drywall? Preparing an old room for new paint?

    We can apply a thin, flat, even layer of joint compound to create a perfectly smooth surface.

    This is ideal for restoring plaster walls, hiding imperfections, or achieving a modern, clean look in your home.

    Skim Coating