While many people see a crack in a wall as a mild inconvenience, it is safe to say that the vast majority of homeowners don’t like seeing a crack in the wall because it’s not aesthetically pleasing, and on top of that, it can be a sign of jeopardized structural integrity. Either way, the most important thing here is the fact that you can fix many wall-related predicaments yourself without having to hire a professional and spend a fortune on renovations.
You’ll need some masonry tools and various other components such as sandpaper, adhesive tape, utility knife, and etc, depending on the material you’re trying to fix or patch up. In this particular guide, we will cover the process of fixing drywall, concrete walls, patching of plaster walls, and repairing deep cracks.
Fixing drywall
You’re lucky if you run into issues with drywall because it’s the easiest thing to repair on our list. The first thing you need to do is cut a V-shaped notch along the crack with a utility knife and vacuum the dust and debris. Once you’ve done that, cover the whole crack with self-adhesive fiberglass tape or mesh tape. Bear in mind, if you decide to use mesh tape, apply some joint compound before because it’s not self-adhesive.
Now that you’ve covered the crack with tape apply a layer of joint compound over the area, and extend it for 2-3 inches on either side. The reason behind this is simple – you have to make sure you’ve covered the whole crack as well as the freshly applied tape.
Allow the area to dry for at least 12 hours before you sand it and prepare it for painting.
Patching a plaster wall
The method of patching a plaster wall is quite similar to the aforementioned process of fixing drywall. However, that only applies to minor cracks. In case the plaster is pulling away from the lath, you’ll need to take additional steps in order to fix it properly. First, you need to drill a couple of holes that are going to go through the plaster but won’t damage the lath. Drill holes at approximately every two inches along the crack. Clean the area of dust and debris and make sure you vacuum the holes so that there is no leftover dust because that will affect the adhesive’s ability to hold.
Once everything is clean, spray the adhesive conditioner into the holes. Subsequently, begin applying the adhesive once the conditioner dries. It’s a good idea to attach plaster rings immediately after using the adhesive so that it pulls the plaster as tight as possible against the wall. After it cures, remove the rings, cover everything with joint compound and let it dry. Once it’s finished, sand it smooth. While this isn’t rocket science, some people simply don’t want to go through all the hassles.
Concrete walls
Messing with concrete walls is probably the most complicated process on this list. The good thing about it is the fact that you don’t need a pallet of different materials in order to fix it. Instead, all you need is an epoxy kit. These kits come in two parts, usually abbreviated as A and B. Before you start mixing the components, use a few 3-inch finish nails and tap them into the crack, keeping a 12-inch distance between the nails. Mix the epoxy and apply a small amount to every port tab. On top of that, fill up the crack with epoxy as well. Use a simple paintbrush to smooth out the rough epoxy edges. Let it dry for at least 8 hours.
Once it dries out, inject liquid concrete by using a caulk gun. Remember to start from the bottom and plug each port before moving to the next one. Let it dry for at least five days and cut the excess with a hacksaw.
Painting the cracks
When it comes to painting the cracks, it’s tricky. You can opt to paint just the crack, and to use tools like paint rollers, brushes, or you can do the next reasonable thing – paint the whole wall. The easiest way to do that is with a good paint sprayer and a little bit of patience. Just choose the perfect color for your wall and paint it. Don’t forget to take your paintings of the wall, though.
As you can tell, there is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on professionals, especially if you’re dealing with minor interventions. All you have to do is follow the instructions, and you’ll end up fixing the matter by yourself. On the other hand, if you stumble upon particularly large cracks, it’s a good idea to call for inspection and make sure the place is safe for living.
*Article courtesy of EiEiHome