Water Stains From Roof and Plumbing Leaks
Source first, then cut back to dry board, then seal with a stain-blocking primer. Paint over a water stain always bleeds back. See water damage drywall repair.
Ceiling repair in Kingston, ON
Ceiling Repair in Kingston for Water Damage, Cracks and Sagging Drywall
Ceilings are the hardest surface in a home to repair invisibly, and it is work Kingston Drywall does every week. We fix water stains, cracks, sagging board and failing plaster ceilings for homeowners and landlords across Kingston and the surrounding towns.
More than 20 years on the tools has taught us that ceiling problems usually have a cause above them: a leak, truss movement or undersized board. We fix the cause first, then the surface.
We are licensed, insured and WSIB covered, and we protect your room before any cutting starts. The finished ceiling is primed and ready for paint.
- 20+ years
- 2,500+ jobs
- Licensed, insured, WSIB
20+ years of drywall
in Eastern Ontario
in Eastern Ontario
Why ceilings are different
Ceilings Are the Hardest Repair to Hide, and the Easiest to Get Wrong
Light from windows and fixtures rakes across a ceiling at a low angle. That exposes every high spot and edge a wall repair would get away with.
Texture is harder to match overhead, and gravity works against every patch. A ceiling repair needs wider feathering, better backing and more careful sanding than the same repair on a wall.
That is why we treat ceilings as a specialty, not an afterthought.
Problems we fix
Ceiling Problems We Repair
Sagging and Bellied Ceiling Board
Usually 1/2 in. board on joists 24 in. apart, or an old adhesive-and-nail install that has let go. Mild sags can be re-screwed; badly bellied board is replaced with 5/8 in. or sag-resistant ceiling board.
Hairline and Structural Ceiling Cracks
Cracks along the wall-ceiling junction are often truss uplift, common in Kingston subdivisions built from the 1980s to the 2000s. We refasten and finish the corner so it can move without cracking.
Mould on and Behind Ceiling Board
Small surface areas are cut out and rebuilt. Larger growth or mould spreading between joists needs a professional remediation contractor first, and we will tell you plainly which you have.
Cracked and Loose Lath Plaster Ceilings
Common in Kingston's pre-1940 homes. We re-anchor loose plaster with plaster washers, then skim coat, or board over when the ceiling is beyond saving.
Holes Left by Old Light Fixtures and Pot Lights
Openings from removed fixtures, fans and track lighting are backed, plugged and feathered so the ceiling reads as one surface.
Free written quotes with the finish level spelled out.
Texture
Matching an Existing Ceiling Texture
Kingston ceilings carry every texture: sprayed stipple, knockdown, hand swirl and smooth. We match them on a test board before touching the repair.
Sometimes a patch will never blend, because the old texture has yellowed or the damaged area is large. In that case we will recommend re-skimming or re-texturing the whole ceiling, and explain why that is the better value.
Prefer a smooth ceiling? Our popcorn ceiling removal service can take the texture off while we repair.
Pricing
What Ceiling Repair Costs in the Kingston Area
Ceiling repairs are banded by the size of the damage. Two things change the price more than anything else: whether the ceiling is textured and whether the room has to be emptied.
| Damage band | Typical scope |
|---|---|
| Minor | Hairline cracks, a small stain, one fixture hole |
| Moderate | Several cracks, a stained section cut back and replaced |
| Major | A sagging ceiling re-secured or large sections replaced |
| Full ceiling | Whole ceiling replaced or boarded over and finished |
After a water loss
Repairs After a Leak, Working With Your Restoration Contractor
After a major leak, a restoration company usually extracts water and runs drying equipment first. We come in once the framing and remaining board read dry.
We document the ceiling for your adjuster with photos and moisture readings, then rebuild, texture and prime. If insulation above the ceiling was soaked, it gets replaced before we close up.
Our insulation and drywall crew handles that step, so one trade finishes the whole assembly.
FAQ
Ceiling Repair Questions From Kingston Homeowners
Straight answers to the questions we hear on site visits every week.
How much does ceiling repair cost?
It depends on the size of the damage, whether the ceiling is textured and whether the room needs emptying. Send photos and we can usually give you a range before visiting.
Can a water damaged ceiling be patched or does the whole thing come down?
Most can be patched. We cut out the wet and stained section back to sound board and replace just that area. The whole ceiling only comes down when the damage is widespread or the board is sagging throughout.
How do you know the leak has actually stopped?
We take moisture readings on the board and framing before we close anything up, and we confirm the repair with the roofer or plumber who fixed the source.
Will the patch match my stipple ceiling?
We test the stipple on scrap board and match the aggregate size and pattern. On older or painted stipple we will tell you honestly how close the match will be.
Is a sagging ceiling dangerous?
It can be. A ceiling that is bellied, cracked along a seam or heavy with water can drop without warning. Keep people out of the room and call us, or a plumber first if the sag is holding water.
Do you repair plaster ceilings in older Kingston homes?
Yes. We stabilise lath and plaster ceilings with plaster washers, repair cracks with setting compound and skim coat or board over where needed. See plaster repair.
Related services and areas
Related Services and Nearby Areas
Smaller wall damage is covered on our drywall repair page, and noisy ceilings under living space can be improved with drywall soundproofing.
We repair ceilings well beyond the city, including cottage and village homes around Gananoque and lakefront houses near Sydenham.
Free written quote Prefer to talk it through? Call us (343) 504-7975
Get a Ceiling Repair Quote
Send photos of the damage and a wider shot of the ceiling, and tell us whether the leak has been fixed. We will reply with next steps and a visit time.
- Hours
- Mon to Sat: 7:00am to 9:30pm
- Sun: 9:00am to 8:00pm
- Service area
- Kingston and towns within about 45 minutes, plus larger projects further afield.
- Licensed
- Fully insured
- WSIB covered
- WHMIS trained
- Working at Heights trained
- Drywall specialists