Cracks may appear in the walls due to humidity problems. Rehabilitating this surface requires some DIY skills to cover the gap that has expanded. Thanks to this guide, the ceiling or any other surface in the room will be smooth and without imperfections.
Cracks in walls can be worrying if not repaired. To do this, you don’t need a bricklayer but basic DIY knowledge to fill the holes. For a good seal, you must follow this tutorial step by step.
Crack repair requires a sense of observation.
Before proceeding with repairs, it is necessary to carefully analyze the extent of damage when cracks appear. And for good reason, a problem that requires wall repair is not trivial. Filling the hole with putty is not a long-term solution to repairing a cracked surface. It is important to know the reason why the cracks appeared and understand their origin. Understanding where the lack of waterproofing comes from, instead of applying a layer of plaster mechanically, will serve to improve the strength of the walls and avoid these inconveniences. Taking care of your home makes us feel better. A few storage tips can quickly clear your head.
Solving cracking problems depends on several factors
When you want to proceed with the treatment of cracks, you have to look at the particularities of the latter. And for good reason, depending on whether they are outside or inside, visible cracks will need different repairs . It is also necessary to take into account the size of these holes but also their depth. These elements affect the filling and renovation necessary to smooth the wall.
How do you know if the wall has dangerous cracks?
As explained previously, to fill these gaps that may be due to water infiltration, several particularities such as size or depth must be taken into account. It is also important to understand the severity of this hole in the wall because there are several types of cracks. Microcracks are superficial and measure less than 0.2 millimeters wide. While they may be harmless, it is important to monitor them if they have appeared recently. The second category is small cracks that are between 0.2 and 2 millimeters wide. It is necessary to be careful with the latter because they can be caused by inherent damage to the house. In this case, the intervention of a professional is necessary. The size of the cracks, also called cracks , is greater than 2 millimeters and is symptomatic of a structural problem such as a construction or foundation failure. And for good reason, this hole can deteriorate the strength of a roof or wall.
It is essential to keep an eye out for cracks in the walls.
Covering a cracked wall should precede assessing the hazard of the hole. Hiding the latter is not enough because repairing it without analyzing the underlying reasons is a ticking time bomb. And for good reason, even small visible cracks can be the result of a serious cause, even if they are repaired. When these exceed 0.2 millimeters, they have the potential to become cracks. In this case, it will be necessary to anticipate by requesting advice and repairs from a construction professional. And for good reason, these large cracks can cause the support to collapse. Sometimes it is mold that damages them. Fortunately, it is possible to get rid of it with several techniques.
How are cracks in ceilings and walls evaluated?
During the intervention of a specialist, he begins by analyzing the severity of the cracks in the ceiling or wall. He will use tools such as a plaster mount to measure the depth of the hole. He can also analyze the latter with a graduated crack gauge to measure the width of this crack . The construction professional can also use a sample cup for the same purpose. It is thanks to these devices that the expert will be able to know if repair work will be required.
How to fill a plaster wall?
Generally, walls with this material are found inside the home. The cracks that can damage them are usually superficial. Fortunately, cracking can be stopped with DIY knowledge and the right tools. To do this you will need a brush, a scraper, a putty knife, sandpaper and a putty cartridge. The first step is to widen the hole with the scraper. . Then use the brush to clean the plaster residue and sand the sides with the inside of the crack. It’s time to use the putty to fill the latter and wait for it to dry. Use the sandpaper to smooth the wall or ceiling. For a more aesthetic appearance, it will need to be repainted in white or the color of your choice. Magic, right?
My wall is concrete: how do I fix it?
This more fragile wall material requires more extensive repair work. If the crack is superficial and shallow, you can plug the hole in the wall by equipping yourself with the essential tools for this action. Filler, which you can easily find at DIY stores, can seal the gap and make it disappear if the width is not very high. The smoothing or finishing coat smoothes the wall before painting or wallpapering it. To facilitate the gesture, you can use a spatula. It is important to respect the drying time indicated on the packaging.
What forms of coating are available?
There are several types of coatings available on the market to effectively seal a crack in a wall. When a wall starts to crack, you can choose powder or paste. The former is suitable for larger cracks, while the latter has the advantage of having a longer lifespan and being ready to use. On the other hand, it acts against superficial cracks sporadically. If you have a layer of powder, read the packaging carefully to find out how much water you should mix this DIY product with. Then it will have to be poured into a medium container to be able to mix it. The preparation should be smooth and homogeneous. The final touch is to work the putty knife into this liquid and seal the crack. Remove the excess with the tool and you just have to let it dry. When your coating is ready to use, it will be easier for you to repair the opening cracks . Whether vertical or horizontal, these holes must be filled with the coating that requires no prior preparation. Apply this clay product on a spatula that you will spread over a surface that extends beyond the grooves. Make sure the liquid fills the latter by passing the tool several times. When dry, it will be necessary to sand to remove residue and give the paste time to dry. After these actions, the wall will be sealed again and the potential damage from the small crack will be eliminated!
How to carry out finishing after filling?
The final touch is to lightly sand the area with fine sandpaper. If the wall has irregularities, it will be necessary to apply a specific putty to smooth the support. This liquid applied after the first coat will help you paint the surface better. Let it dry for a few hours.
How do you fill a crack in an exterior block or brick wall?
Unlike other materials, an exterior wall made of cinder block or brick that has cracks requires caution. And for good reason, it can quickly cause damage to the house. That is why before carrying out any work yourself, it will be necessary to consult a building specialist. This expert will be able to carry out a diagnosis of the façade to assess the masonry of the home. If it is important to call a professional, it is because a repair on bricks or cinder blocks requires know-how that is not available to DIY enthusiasts and because it can damage the walls. Cracks in these can be caused by moisture. There are techniques to prevent it permanently.