Water Stains From Leaks
Stains need the source fixed, the board cut back to dry material and a stain-blocking primer. Paint alone 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 Pros does every week. We fix water stains, cracks, sagging board and failing plaster ceilings for homeowners and landlords across Kingston and the surrounding towns.
Ceiling problems almost always have a cause above them: a leak, truss movement, undersized board or plaster that has lost its grip on the lath. We find and fix that cause before touching the surface.
Kingston's housing gives us both kinds of ceiling every week, from century lath and plaster downtown to 1980s stipple ceilings showing truss uplift cracks in the suburbs.
- 20+ years
- 2,500+ jobs
- Licensed, insured, WSIB
20+ years of drywall
in Eastern Ontario
in Eastern Ontario
Service overview
Our Ceiling Repair Services
Ceiling repair is fixing damaged drywall or plaster overhead so the ceiling is sound, flat and indistinguishable from the original. We repair stains, cracks, sags, holes and failing plaster on ceilings of every age and texture.
It is for homeowners after a leak or a hard winter, landlords between tenants, and anyone with a ceiling that has started to bow or crack. A ceiling repair includes:
- Finding the cause, from leaks to truss uplift to loose plaster keys
- Re-securing or cutting back damaged board or plaster
- New board where needed, 5/8 in. or sag-resistant on wide joist spacing
- Taping and three feathered coats sized for overhead light
- Stipple, knockdown or swirl matched, or a smooth skim
- Stain-blocking primer and a clean, paint-ready ceiling
Problems we fix
Ceiling Problems We Repair
Most ceiling calls fall into six problems, each with a different root cause.
Sagging and Bellied Board
Sags usually mean 1/2 in. board on joists 24 in. apart, or an old glue-and-nail install that has let go. Mild sags can be re-screwed; badly bellied board is replaced.
Hairline and Corner Cracks
Cracks where the ceiling meets interior walls are often truss uplift, common in subdivisions built from the 1980s to the 2000s. We refasten and finish the corner so it can move without cracking.
Mould on Ceiling Board
Small surface areas are cut out and rebuilt. Larger growth spreading between joists needs a professional remediation contractor first, and we will tell you plainly which you have.
Loose Lath and Plaster
Plaster ceilings in pre-1940 homes sag when the keys holding them to the wood lath break. We re-anchor with plaster washers, then skim, or board over if it is beyond saving.
Old Fixture and Pot Light Holes
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.
Repair options
Ceiling Repair Options Compared
The right repair depends on how much of the ceiling is sound. Here are the four approaches we use and who each one suits.
| Option | What it involves | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Patch and blend | Cut out the damaged area, patch, finish and match texture | Isolated stains, holes and cracks |
| Re-secure | Add screws or plaster washers to pull loose board or plaster tight | Mild sags, nail pops, loose plaster |
| Re-skim | A full skim coat over the whole ceiling | Many small repairs or texture that will not blend |
| Replace or board over | New board on the joists, or thin board over the old ceiling | Widespread damage or failed plaster |
Why ceilings are different
Why Ceiling Repairs Are Harder to Hide Than Walls
Ceilings are harder because light from windows and fixtures hits them at a low angle, which throws a shadow off any high spot. Texture is also harder to match overhead, and gravity works against every patch.
So a ceiling repair needs solid backing, a feather 12 in. or wider on each side, and flatter sanding than the same repair on a wall. Sometimes a full re-skim is the honest recommendation, because a patch will never blend.
How it works
How We Repair a Damaged Ceiling
A ceiling repair runs in five steps, starting above the ceiling rather than on its surface.
- 1
Find the Cause
We check for active leaks, truss movement, joist spacing and the condition of plaster keys.
- 2
Protect the Room
Floors and furniture are covered, and dust containment goes up for larger repairs.
- 3
Secure or Replace
Loose board or plaster is re-anchored, or damaged sections are cut back to framing and replaced.
- 4
Finish and Match
Joints are taped and feathered wide, then texture is matched on a test board first.
- 5
Prime and Clean Up
A stain-blocking primer seals the repair and the room is left clean and paint ready.
Send us a few photos for a faster estimate.
Pricing
How Much Does Ceiling Repair Cost in Kingston?
Ceiling repair is priced by the size of the damage. Whether the ceiling is textured and whether the room has to be emptied change the price more than anything else.
| Damage band | Typical scope |
|---|---|
| Minor | Hairline cracks, a small stain, one fixture hole |
| Moderate | Several cracks, or 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
Ceiling Repair After a Leak or Insurance Claim
After a major leak, the ceiling is rebuilt only once the framing and remaining board read dry on a moisture meter. A restoration company usually extracts water and runs drying equipment first.
We document the ceiling for your adjuster with photos and moisture readings, replace soaked insulation above the ceiling through our insulation and drywall crew, then rebuild, texture and prime.
FAQ
Ceiling Repair Questions From Kingston Homeowners
Straight answers to the questions we hear on site visits every week.
Is a sagging ceiling dangerous?
It can be. A ceiling that is bellied, cracked along a seam or holding water can drop without warning, so keep people out of the room and call a plumber first if the sag is wet.
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 only that area.
How do you know the leak has actually stopped?
We take moisture readings on the board and framing before closing anything up, and confirm the fix with the roofer or plumber who did it.
Will the patch match my stipple ceiling?
We match the aggregate size and pattern on scrap board first. On older or painted stipple we will tell you honestly how close the match will be.
Why do ceiling cracks return every winter?
Usually truss uplift: roof trusses bow upward in cold weather and lift the ceiling off interior walls. The fix is changing how the ceiling edge is fastened, not refilling the crack.
Talk to a drywall specialist, not a call centre.
Related services and areas
Related Services and Nearby Areas
Wall damage is covered on our drywall repair page, and noisy ceilings under living space can be improved with drywall soundproofing. Lath and plaster ceilings are covered in depth under plaster repair.
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