Cracks in a wall can be a real source of concern for homeowners. Not only do they detract from the aesthetics of your home, but they can also indicate more serious structural problems. Fortunately, repairing cracks is not always a daunting task and can often be done by yourself with the right tools and advice.
In this article, we’ll take you step-by-step through the process of effectively repairing cracks on a wall. Whether you’re an experienced do-it-yourselfer or a home improvement novice, this guide is designed to help you restore your walls to their original condition.
The need to repair wall cracks before painting
Before undertaking any painting work, it’s essential to treat any cracks in your walls. These imperfectionsno matter how small, can rapidly worsen if neglected.
Fortunately, you don’t need to be a DIY expert to remedy them. Simply determine the type of crack and the material of the wall to be repaired. Cracks generally fall into three categories: microcracks (less than 0.2 mm), medium cracks (less than 2 mm) and large cracks (more than 2 mm). Each has its own characteristics and can cause different problems if not treated correctly.
To repair a crack on an interior plaster wall, you’ll need certain tools and materials: a triangular scraperthefillera painter’s knifea large coating knifea brusha spongea calico roll and a abrasive sheet.
Start by opening the crack with the scraper and removing any loose particles. Then clean the wall with a brush and dampen the edges of the crack to help the plaster adhere. Apply the plaster perpendicular to the crack with the painter’s knife and smooth it out with the wide knife.
If necessary, reinforce your filling with calico. Allow to dry for 24 hours, then sand lightly to remove any irregularities. Finally, apply a levelling compound and paint.
Procedure for filling a crack in a concrete wall
To repair a crack in a concrete wallYou’ll need a hole punch, wire brush, rust inhibitor, cement, sand, water, paintbrush, trowel and polystyrene float.
Start with creating a groove in the wall using the perforator. If your wall is made of reinforced concrete, dig down to the reinforcement and remove any potential rust with the wire brush. Then apply a anti-rust product and leave to dry.
Prepare your repair mortar by mixing cement, sand and water. Moisten the area to be filled to facilitate mortar adhesion, then fill the groove with the trowel and mortar. Finally, smooth the mortar with the polystyrene float to level the surface and leave to dry.
