They are beautiful, solid, and especially good for soundproofing.
Everyday life, with its bumps and bangs, also takes its toll on plaster walls.
Nearly all homes with plaster walls will eventually develop window and door cracks.
The Spruce / Lisa Ruschioni
Though they may look ominous, your cracked plaster walls are not beyond repair.
You do not even need a special plaster repair kit.
What Causes Cracks in Plaster Walls?
The Spruce/Hilary Allison.
Hairline and minor cracks are common as a home settles in its first 10 years.
Drastic weather changes or homes without climate control that experience extreme temperatures are more prone to plaster cracks.
Most cracks are cosmetic and can be easily fixed.
The Spruce / Lisa Ruschioni
In many cases, the smaller it is, the smaller the issue.
A damaged wall with a large gap can signify subsidence.
Ripping out chunks of plaster often becomes a seemingly endless process, with one chunk leading to another chunk.
The Spruce / Lisa Ruschioni
While opening the crack may seem counterintuitive, you oughta increase the area for the joint compound to stick.
Do not vigorously scrape into the crack; be gentle and go slow.
Use a shop vacuum to remove all crumbs and dust from the crack.
The Spruce / Lisa Ruschioni
Spread the Joint Compound
Mix the drywall joint compound, as needed.
Move immediately to the next step, as the joint compound dries rapidly.
Premixed is more convenient but usually has to dry overnight.
The Spruce / Lisa Ruschioni
Be careful not to overwork the tape and tear it.
Let the joint compound dry completely.
Smooth the compound so it is flush with the surrounding surfaces.
The Spruce / Lisa Ruschioni
Let the joint compound dry completely.
Do not sand so hard that you expose the tape.
This is an optional step that helps blend the repair into a very smooth wall surface.
The Spruce / Lisa Ruschioni
An additional coat should take the joint compound out as far as 12 inches.
Allow the joint compound to dry completely, then sand lightly to smooth out the repair area.
Always prime new joint compound or texture before painting.
The Spruce / Lisa Ruschioni
If you notice sudden cracks all over the home, it can signify that the foundationis gently shifting.
If the cracks are minor, this shifting is normal and expected to occur.
However, larger cracks (1/4 inch or wider) can signify a major structural issue.
The Spruce / Lisa Ruchioni
Minor or hairline cracks are usually not a sign of structural issues.
Also, windows and doors become harder to open and close as the frames become unaligned.
The Spruce / Lisa Ruschioni
