Wall Cracking Solution
Carmen Kalua
The causes of cracks on walls or floors are diverse. However, the solutions are often similar. In order to choose the right answer, we must first understand the nature of the crack. We will analyze the main causes of cracks and their solutions in the following paragraphs.
On the wall, we often find unimportant cracks, such as those due to the phenomenon of shrinkage of the mortar, or to the peeling of the plaster. Despite being superficial, you must repair these cracks in walls before painting or plastering them.
On the other hand, we are sometimes confronted with active cracks. Active cracks are either due to deep breakages inside a wall or to the detachment of a panel in a plasterboard structure. They appear as long, normally vertical cracks. Sometimes, they show the shape of the bricks, highlighting the nature of the problem. Structural cracks, contrarily to superficial ones, are often noticeable on both sides of the wall. These types of cracks are always in motion. Therefore, you definitely have to repair these cracks on walls before painting them, otherwise, the cracks will eventually emerge again.
If you have to paint a wall presenting a crack, a solution would be to apply an elastic and over-paintable material inside the crack. Then, apply the paint. Since paints are very thin layers, the material will follow the movements of the crack and will not highlight the problem.
To create such a bridge, fix a fiberglass or polyester mesh along the crack with a fiber-reinforced plaster. Then, when it dries, apply your chosen plaster on it. A solution of this type is successful in most cases, especially when the cracks are not too large.
For larger cracks, we recommend a solution that proves successful in about 99% of the cases. First, apply a narrow mesh (about 6 cm) all along the crack with a fibrous plaster. Then, when the plaster dries, apply a wider one (around 30 cm) over it. Make sure you are using the right plaster to fix the mesh to the wall. We recommend a fairly elastic and fibrous plaster, like our Anti-Crack Plaster.
If the wall is full of cracks, the solution is certainly to cover it all with a mesh. First, apply a narrow mesh along the crack. Then, use 100 cm-wide mesh bands, placing them side by side without overlapping them, covering the whole wall.
In floors, the problem has several facets, but similar solutions. When we plaster a floor, we normally either work on new screeds or old tiles. New screeds must be cured for at least 3 weeks before applying a plaster coating. Indeed, this is the period in which important withdrawals occur, which can determine the formation of cracks.
In this case, the method to repair cracks on the floor is exactly the same as that we have seen for walls. First, apply a narrow mesh along the crack, and fix it to the surface using a fibrous plaster, like our Anticrack. Then, use 100 cm-wide mesh bands, placing them side by side without overlapping them, covering the whole floor.
When you apply plaster over a tiled floor, you should pay particular attention to cracks. Sure enough, tiled floors often present cracks. Nevertheless, they are hardly noticeable, as the crack rarely breaks the marble or ceramic tile. Most often, the crack will follow the tiles running along their edges. Usually, the operator does not notice it until the work is finished, when the crack appears clearly over the plaster.
For this reason, it is advisable to always apply a mesh on all tiled floors before applying a coating. We especially recommend it when you work on floors located above the ground floor, which, in a building, is the most stable one.
As for walls, you should use a fiberglass or polyester mesh with a weight of about 120 grams per square meter. The mesh bands should be one meter wide, and you have to place them side by side without overlapping them. Position the mesh over the tiles and fix it with the first coat of plaster. Our Gap Levelling Plaster (GLP) is the ideal plaster to incorporate the mesh and adhere to the tile.
Both in walls and in floors we will always have to respect the possible expansion joint, which is not easy to hide under a mesh. Just place the mesh at the sides of the expansion joint, leaving it uncovered by either mesh or plaster.
For example, the crack in this fireplace hood was created by the expansion of the internal metallic hood, on which the masonry structure had been mistakenly attached. The metallic hood and the bricks have two different responses to the sudden increase of temperature in the fireplace, resulting in cracks on the brickwork when this is leaning on the hood. The only solution we found was to cover the fireplace hood with plasterboard, gluing it with a flexible material. Then, we re-applied our Venetian Plaster over it.
It is a flexible plaster for interiors and exteriors. It reduces the risk of cracking on drywall and other plasters and considerably improves the impact resistance and durability of drywall construction. Anticrak is essential on drywall and on old plaster restorations. This is the ideal substrate for lime and gypsum plasters. You can use Anticrack also to repair structural cracks in walls before painting or plastering. First, apply a narrow fiberglass mesh tape (about 6 cm) all along the crack. Then, fix the mesh to the surface with a layer of Anticrack. Subsequently, when the plaster dries, apply a wider mesh tape (around 30 cm) over it, fixing it with Anticrack.
Cracks are common problems in walls, but how to repair cracks in walls can be an eternal question. With this comprehensive guide, you will learn how to repair cracks in walls with precision and dexterity.
If you own a home or have ever rented a property, you probably know that cracks in walls are almost inevitable. They can be caused by a variety of factors, such as settling of the foundation, temperature changes, or even just normal wear and tear. While small cracks may not seem like a big deal, they can quickly escalate into larger, more expensive problems if left unattended. Fortunately, repairing cracks in walls is a relatively simple task that can be tackled by homeowners with a little bit of knowledge and elbow grease. In this blog, we'll go over some of the basics of wall crack repair and give you the tools you need to get started. So roll up your sleeves, grab your spackle, and let's get cracking!
To sum up, cracks in walls are a common problem that can occur in drywall, concrete, or plaster walls. However, with the right tools and materials, fixing cracks in walls becomes a manageable DIY project that can save homeowners time and money. With a little bit of patience and effort and these tips to avoid cracks in walls, you can repair cracks in your walls and keep your home looking its best.
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You can use a multi-purpose filler on all these cracks. However, it would be best to also use plaster tape to reinforce the repairs. Without it, the cracks will likely return in a short time. I generally just use the filler, and many cracks won't re-appear. However, if there is any continuing movement, which is likely in a house of that vintage, the tape would be the way to go.
For those areas where you can see the previous repairs, you'll need to sand the areas back and re-patch them with a multi-purpose filler. The idea is to get the repair as smooth as possible, so it can't be seen through your paint coat.
The repair on the cornice can be done the same as the cracks on the wall, and there is no need to remove that piece if it is still well adhered. The repair will just be a little trickier since it is on a curved surface.
I am so confused with all these products & advice . I moved into a townhouse where every room has similar cracks as the pics above. I don't want a budget solution (I'm a total beginner DIY, e.g rapid patch is too quick for me) do I use Base Coat 45 with mesh / tape or Polyfilla Plaster Cracks Filler or Uni-Pro Multi Purpose Interior Filler or Multi purpose Joint Compound? I already have Base Coat 45 and Multi purpose Joint Compound plus paper and mesh tape. Thank you
Since you already have the Base Coat 45 and the Multipurpose joint tape, I suggest using the materials you have in hand. Just keep in mind to mix only what you need with the Base Coat 45 if you're only doing short repair jobs. Please note that when mixing plaster you are after the consistency of soft peanut butter. Too wet and the plaster slumps, too dry and the plaster cakes and cracks.
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