Drywall Repair & Installation in Lamont, CA
Bakersfield Elite Drywall helps Lamont families deal with the kind of drywall problems that come with living in the San Joaquin Valley — foundation cracks, stress fractures, and the damage that follows a roof leak or plumbing failure.
Our approach is methodical: find the root cause, address it properly, and finish the repair so it won't come back. We don't do surface-only patches on structural cracks.
Foundation Settling and Structural Crack Repair in Lamont Homes
Lamont sits on expansive clay soils that swell and contract with seasonal moisture changes. Over years, this movement stresses a home's foundation, which in turn transmits stress up through the framing and into interior walls and ceilings. The result is a familiar pattern: diagonal cracks at window and door corners, horizontal cracks along ceiling-to-wall junctions, and step cracks that follow the drywall board seams. At Bakersfield Elite Drywall , we see and repair these patterns routinely.
The key to lasting crack repair in a settling home is using the right materials for the movement involved. Standard all-purpose compound is rigid and will simply re-crack if used over an active crack line. Instead, we use fiberglass mesh tape bridged across the crack and reinforced with a flexible, fiber-reinforced setting compound. This system allows the repair to flex slightly with the ongoing minor movement in the structure, dramatically extending the service life of the finished repair.
After the structural repair is sound, we feather the joint compound out wide on both sides of the crack — sometimes 18 inches or more — and apply multiple thin coats rather than one thick one. This prevents shrinkage cracking in the compound itself and creates a gradual, invisible transition from the repaired area back to the original surface. The final step is texture matching, which we perform using hand-applied or spray techniques to replicate your existing wall finish.
Popcorn Ceiling Removal and Ceiling Restoration
A large portion of the homes in Lamont were built during the 1970s and 80s, when sprayed acoustic "popcorn" texture was the standard ceiling finish. These ceilings age poorly — they yellow with time, crumble when touched, collect dust and cobwebs in their rough surface, and make rooms feel lower and darker than they actually are. Removing this texture and replacing it with a smooth or modern knockdown finish is one of the most impactful cosmetic upgrades a Lamont homeowner can make.
Our popcorn removal process begins with proper containment. We seal the room with plastic sheeting, protect all flooring, furniture, and cabinetry, and then lightly wet the texture to prevent airborne dust during scraping. After the texture is removed, we skim the ceiling with joint compound to fill the small divots and board irregularities left behind, prime, and either apply a fresh texture coat or a smooth Level 4 finish depending on your preference. Homes built before 1978 are tested for asbestos before any removal work begins — safety is not something we cut corners on.
Beyond popcorn removal, we also handle ceiling repairs from water damage. In Lamont, damaged roof sections after rainstorms frequently send water through ceiling panels before anyone notices. We remove the affected sections, confirm the framing above is sound and dry, then rebuild with fresh drywall and blend the repair into the surrounding surface.
Serving Lamont and the Surrounding South Kern Communities
We work throughout the south Kern County corridor, covering communities that have historically had limited access to quality specialty contractors. Our crews drive out to where the work is — and that includes Lamont and the surrounding rural areas.
We're also the go-to drywall contractor for the residents of Golden Hills, CA. If you have neighbors in Golden Hills in need of drywall repair or a renovation project, they're welcome to reach out — we provide the same level of care across every community we serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cracks in my Lamont home walls a sign of serious foundation problems?
Not always — but they should be taken seriously. Hairline cracks at corners and along seams are often cosmetic, caused by minor settling or seasonal expansion. Wide cracks (greater than 1/8 inch), horizontal cracks, or cracks that continue to grow can indicate more significant movement that should be reviewed by a foundation specialist before drywall repair is completed.
Does popcorn ceiling texture in older homes contain asbestos?
Homes built before 1978 may have popcorn ceilings that contain asbestos fibers, which were commonly added to improve fire resistance. We recommend testing before any removal. We can refer you to a licensed asbestos testing service, and we will not begin removal work on pre-1978 ceilings until a clearance test confirms they are safe.
How long does it take to remove popcorn ceilings in a typical Lamont home?
A single room typically takes one full day for removal and initial skim coat. Allow an additional one to two days for the compound to dry and the finish coat to be applied. Larger homes can take three to five days total. We schedule efficiently to minimize disruption to the rest of your household during the project.
Fix Those Walls the Right Way in Lamont
Stop living with cracks that keep coming back or ceilings that date your home by two decades. Call us for a free inspection and estimate — we'll give you an honest assessment and a plan to make it right.