Filling Cracks In Plaster Walls

Whether drywall plaster or concrete walls are susceptible to cracks even walls in newly built homes are prone to cracks which normally occur from settling.

Filling cracks in plaster walls.

The plaster keys holding it to the underlying lath can also crack and break over time causing the plaster to partially separate from the wall. No matter what the cause. Expansion and contraction of the wood studs as they shrink and expand with changing humidity levels can cause the plaster to crack. Repairing small cracks in plaster is easy compared to plastering a whole room.

Once repaired patch dried apply prime coat over the filled in crack and surface surrounding area. For more about how plaster walls are built see plaster wall construction over time these. Mix a batch of plaster and fill the. But plaster walls respond to inevitable foundation shifts and climatic changes and can begin to crack.

Plaster repair is much. To repair small cracks in plaster you ll need patching compound medium and fine grit sandpaper a sanding block a putty knife a masonry chisel a paintbrush a rag and a screwdriver. Plaster applied to wood lath is held in place by the keys that form when it squishes through the lath. However if the plaster separates from the lath or the structure of the wall it s called blown plaster and it requires a more extensive repair.

Expert advice and detailed instructions on repairing the most common plaster wall and ceiling problems including cracks holes and sagging. However if the plaster is pulling away from the lath you first need to shore up the wall with a two step process. This will hide the repaired area and gives a fine smooth finishing. When you hit lath stop the bit won t go through wood pull out the bit and drill another hole about 3 inches from the first and about 2 inches from the crack.

Using a 3 16 inch masonry bit drill a hole in the plaster about 2 inches from the crack. Cracks can appear for a number of reasons. Homes are constantly settling as different construction materials expand and contract at different rates. Drill into the plaster photo by david carmack.

For finishing you ll need primer and paint. Treat minor cracks in plaster similar to a drywall crack with joint compound. And certain key areas such as above and beside doorways and windows are classic areas of cracking. How to repair plaster walls 1.

Everyday life with its bumps and bangs also takes its toll on plaster walls.