Common problems with cracks

Fibre-glass scrim tape may be used to reinforce the cracks and 'reduce' the chances of reappearing, there must be no movement when the ceiling is pushed up by hand.

Alternative Solution.

Secure any movement,. Use fibre-glass scrim tape with jointing compound over cracks for extra reinforcement and plaster skim.

Best Solution.

Overboard with new plasterboard and skim finish.

Cracks in Artex (heavy pattern)

Solution.

Alternative Solution.

Best Solution.

Remove and re-board or overboard with new plasterboard and skim finish.

Cracks in Artex (light pattern)

Solution.

Secure any movement,. Use fibre-glass scrim tape with jointing compound over cracks for extra reinforcement and plaster skim.

Alternative Solution.

Best Solution.

Remove and re-board or overboard with new plasterboard and skim finish.

Movement on one side of crack

Solution.

Secure any movement, use fibre-glass scrim tape to reinforce the crack and 'reduce' the chances of reappearing.

Alternative Solution.

Secure any movement,. Use fibre-glass scrim tape with jointing compound over cracks for extra reinforcement and plaster skim.

Best Solution.

Overboard with new plasterboard and skim finish.

Movement on both sides of crack

Solution.

Secure any movement,. Use fibre-glass scrim tape with jointing compound over cracks for extra reinforcement and plaster skim.

Alternative Solution.

Best Solution.

Overboard with new plasterboard and skim finish.

Cracks due to large area of movement

Solution.

Secure any movement,. Use fibre-glass scrim tape with jointing compound over cracks for extra reinforcement and plaster skim.

Alternative Solution.

Best Solution.

Overboard with new plasterboard and skim finish.

Walls

Cracks around windows and doors

Solution.

These are the usual stress points especially in newer houses, the cause must be addressed first.

Alternative Solution.

Best Solution.

Use fibre-glass scrim tape with jointing compound over cracks for extra reinforcement and plaster skim.

Around where an interior door has been blocked up using timber and plasterboard.

Solution.

Cracks may appear where timber stud work meets existing brickwork especially if impacted, because the timber/plasterboard will give slightly but brick will not.Use fibre-glass scrim tape with jointing compound over cracks for extra reinforcement and plaster skim. (may recur if impacted).

Alternative Solution.

Dot&Dab plasterboard to the whole wall, both sides.

Best Solution.

Remove plasterboard, timber stud and brick up opening then re-plaster.

Plaster on timber

Solution.

Alternative Solution.

Best Solution.

Plaster will always crack on timber and should always be covered will plasterboard first.

Larger cracks on older walls (house age +25 years)

Solution.

Loose or blown plaster that could be due to subsidence will have to be removed and then made good.

Alternative Solution.

Remove loose or blown plaster. Fill with backing plaster. Use fibre-glass scrim tape with jointing compound for extra reinforcement and plaster skim.

Best Solution.

Old plaster may have come to the end of its life. Test if it comes away from the wall easily with a scraper. If so remove whole wall(s) back to brick, 'Float' with backing plaster / 'Dot & Dab' plasterboard and skim

Larger cracks on newer walls (house age -25 years)

Solution.

Usually down to loose plasterboard or movement in the walls. Secure and reskim.

Alternative Solution.

Best Solution.

Secure any movement,. Use fibre-glass scrim tape with jointing compound over cracks for extra reinforcement and plaster skim.

Small hairline cracks or 'crazing' on older walls

Solution.

Fibre-glass scrim tape may be used to reinforce the cracks and 'reduce' the chances of reappearing before plaster skim.

Alternative Solution.

Use fibre-glass scrim tape with jointing compound over cracks for extra reinforcement and plaster skim.

Best Solution.

Larger cracks on old 'lathe and plaster' walls (these are usually room dividing walls and are hollow when tapped).

Solution.

Fibre-glass scrim tape may be used to reinforce the cracks and 'reduce' the chances of reappearing before plaster skim.

Alternative Solution.

Best Solution.

Badly cracked walls may need to be removed down to the timbers and reboarded with new plasterboard.

Google Sites

Report abuse