After having your plaster ceilings for years, you suddenly realize that there are cracks on it. Do not worry as this is a pretty normal phenomenon and it is something you can always fix on your own.

1. REPAIRING SMALL CRACKS
   i. Wearing safety glasses, take a lever-type can opener, screwdriver or a utility knife to widen the crack to about 1/8 inch.
   ii. Blow out the plaster dust. Using a medium-bristle brush, scrub the area with a solution of water and tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) or a non-phosphate detergent.
   iii. Cut short pieces of self-adhesive fiberglass mesh joint tape to cover the groove.
   iv. Dip a sponge in clean water and dampen the area.
   v. Mix setting-type joint compound and apply it over the tape and groove using a 3-inch-wide putty knife. Smooth it out evenly and allow it to dry.
   vi. Apply another coat of joint compound with a drywall knife or wide-blade putty knife. Apply it smoothly and “feather” the edges so that they taper into the undamaged area. Allow the compound to dry and then sand lightly to blend the patch into the wall at the edges.
   vii. Prime with a high-quality latex primer and then paint.
2. REPAIRING LARGE CRACKS
   i. Widen the crack with the can opener and dampen the edges of the crack with a sponge.
   ii. Fill the crack half full with patching plaster. When it has dried a little, score the plaster with a nail to give the next layer of plaster something to hold onto.
   iii. Dampen the patch again and apply another layer of patching plaster to about 1/4 inch of the surface.
   iv. Allow the patch dry and apply a coat of finishing plaster.