Q: I have a crack in the drywall of the living room ceiling. When it gets cold, the crack widens. When it’s warm, the crack almost disappears. How do I fix it, so it never reappears?
A: If it’s a straight crack, then it’s probably a seam between the drywall panels. It comes and goes because during the winter materials shrink and dry out, pulling the crack wider. In the summer, things get moist and swell. One quick fix is to seal the crack with a paintable latex caulk, which will flex with the movement in the drywall. The crack may still be visible but won’t be as obvious. However, the best method is to re-tape the seam and re-spackle with three or four coats of good joint compound, sanding between coats.
