How To Fix Cracks In Old Plaster Walls

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How to fix cracks in old plaster walls. Plaster repairs are an occasional requirement if you own an old home. Otherwise the cracks come back no matter how many times you patch over them. In the case of larger cracks with plaster falling out remove the damaged plaster to reveal the binding course. These old plastered walls bring so much character to a period home but to keep them in good condition it s essential to be on the look out for early signs of damage.

Understanding how plaster walls are constructed will help you fix your cracked plaster wall. Both can be repaired but one is a much more serious problem. An overview photo by david carmack. When the bond breaks the plaster cracks.

The key to any fix is to reunite the plaster with the strips of wood lath underneath. Following the crack create a v notch by removing the plaster along both sides of the crack cutting at an angle until you see the substrate. How to fix cracks bulges loose plaster and damp. How to fix loose or cracked plaster.

Whether found in drywall plaster or concrete a crack in a wall is an eyesore. Fixing loose or cracked plaster is usually quicker easier and cheaper than the alternatives of ripping out the old plaster and hanging new drywall or blueboard. Use a five way tool or other scraping device image 1. Knock old plaster through keys in the lath to establish a better binding course for the new plaster to adhere to image 2.

The integrity of a plaster surface depends on the bond between the plaster and its wood lath. Generally caused by the natural settling of a house over time you can repair. The first step in repairing cracks is cleaning them out. You want to open up the v notch so that it is approximately 1 4 to 1 2 wide at the opening and as narrow as possible next to the substrate material.

Here tom silva shows how to repair plaster walls to make them look as good as new. The process is different for plaster than for drywall.