How To Repair Hairline Cracks In Plaster Walls – Houses and apartments with plaster walls in great condition are often valued by both homeowners and homebuyers. They are gorgeous, sturdy, and particularly effective at soundproofing rooms.
Plaster walls, on the other hand, react to unavoidable foundation transitions and changes in weather. They may start to crack. Everyday life, with its bumps and bangs, wears down plaster walls. And certain key areas, such as above and beside doorways and windows, are well-known cracking hotspots.
Almost all homes with plaster walls will develop window and door cracks over time. Your cracked plaster walls are not beyond repair, despite their appearance. There is no need for a special plaster repair kit. In this article, we will tell you how to repair hairline cracks in plaster walls.
What it Plaster walls?
Hairline cracks may seem a small problem in your poster walls. But if you ignore it, it may expand become wider cracks.
Plaster walls are made up of two layers: the outer plaster and the inner wooden. When it comes to plaster, your best option is to keep the existing plaster and repair it rather than trying to tear it out.
Ripping out chunks of plaster can seem like an endless process, with one chunk leading to another. To repair plaster cracks successfully, take your time and be patient enough to apply multiple layers of drywall joint compound to the wall.
Read More: How To Repair Large Cracks In Concrete Driveway
How To Repair Hairline Cracks in Plaster Walls?
The smaller the crack, it should go without saying, the easier it is to repair. At least as long as the plaster is securely fastened to the lath within the wall cavity.
How can you tell if it’s coming undone from the lath? Giving it a gentle push is all it takes. However, if it feels like it’s going to hold, that’s great. But you must still repair it. The following are the steps to take:
Make it wider
The first step in repairing a small crack is to expand it. Insert a craft knife into the crack and open the edges to about 1/8 of an inch. This should provide some wiggle room for the joint compound later on.
Remove the dust
Remove any dust and debris that has accumulated on the affected area. Brush away any crumbs or debris from the crack with a medium-bristle brush dipped in a TSP and water solution.
Make tape strips
Cover the crack with short lengths of paper drywall tape or fiberglass mesh joint tape that have been measured and cut.
When cutting, use scissors to avoid ragged edges on the tape, allowing for smoother application and preventing the compound from invading the crack.
Use the joint compound
The use of a joint compound is a necessary step in achieving a high-quality finish. Dip your craft knife into the compound and sleek it over the tape.
Do this at least twice to ensure that the tape is properly adhering around the crack.
Put on the joint tape
Apply tape to the crack and smooth it out with a craft knife. Don’t overdo it, or you’ll risk scoring the tape. Allow the joint compound to dry for a few minutes after the tape has been applied evenly.
Cover the tape with another layer of joint compound.
You wouldn’t want the taped area to be visible once you’re finished, so apply another layer of joint compound over the tape, extending it a few inches past the tape’s edges.
When the joint compound is completely dry, sand it down with 8-grit sandpaper to make it blend in with the surrounding areas.
Create a prime
To help the topcoat paint adhere to the surface, apply a coat of latex primer to the area. When the primer has dried completely, apply the top coat over the entire surface.
Read More: How to Fix a Hole in Drywall Without a Patch
After you follow the steps above, then your cracked plaster walls will surely be fixed and leaving no more cracks in the surface. Goodluck on your try on how to repair hairline cracks in plaster walls!