How to Repair Hairline Cracks & Holes in Plaster Walls

Hairline cracks and holes in plasterwalls are unsightly, aren’t they?

But that’s not what worries you themost.

You’re probably thinking:

Has it gone kaputt?

Do I need to replace it altogether?

I can’t say we blame you. Damaged plaster has an aspect of finality to it. And the notion of carrying out repairs or replacing plaster walls sounds like it’s a lot of work, not to mention costly.

Thankfully, fixing hairline cracks in plaster walls shouldn’t be a major cause of concern. It’s at least the case most of the time. If you can believe it, it is easier to repair than its more popular counterpart. Yes, drywall is harder to repair.

Yes, you can patch it with minimal expense and effort. All you need is some knowledge on how to do it the right way.

As to that, we’ve got you covered.

Ready? But before we get started, here’s a bit of background on what it is. We’ll talk about how it’s made before we get started on repairing those hairline cracks in plaster walls.

What is plaster?

It can provide a more durable finish than even drywall if properly mixed. In the early days, it was made by mixing lime and sand. That was mixed with cattle hair and water until it’s turned into a putty substance. You get plaster once the mixture dries up and hardens.

What is thedifference between plaster and drywall?

For centuries, it had been the go-to material when constructing interior walls for homes. It was not until 50 years ago that construction professionals started adding gypsum into the mixture. It allowed the compound to dry up more quickly.

This mixture, as you might have already guessed, is called drywall. And it’s been the most popular material used for finishing interior walls over the last few decades. No surprise there. After all, modern construction practices favor using the material in terms of time and costs.

This begs the question:

Is drywall really much better?

The answer largely depends on your priorities as a homeowner.

If you want a wall material with a durable surface that can last a long time, then plaster is the ideal choice. The drawback is that it tends to absorb water easily, increasing the risk of water damage. Repairing it can be difficult and expensive. It sometimes requires you to remove big sections of the material when carrying out repairs.

As already mentioned, drywall is more cost-effective to use than plaster. Another big advantage is that it provides better sound and temperature insulation. One major issue with it is that it cracks more easily. Without using top-grade construction materials, installing it can be complicated and messy. And when not installed correctly, the joints between the sheets tend to show. It ruins the surface’s smooth and seamless appearance.

Okay, then. But howis plaster wall made?

It is durable. It’s not because of the material it’s made of, but because of the way it’s constructed. It is made of flexible material you can mesh together. It allows you to create a multi-layered coat system, sometimes called the three-coat stucco process system.

So, how do they pull this off?

It begins with the lath, which are thin wood slats attached to your wall’s framing. Three coats are then applied to the lath in an interlocking manner, resulting in a structural system that holds the wall together. You’re getting a system with good insulation for temperate and sound by layering three coats together.

The 3-coat system is comprised of the scratch coat, brown coat, finish coat. Therefore, the scratch coat serves as the system’s base coat and is the first one attached to the wall. The brown coat is then applied after applying the scratch coat, further strengthening the system. After the brown coat is cured, the finish coat is applied to give the entire system a nice finish.

Why Plaster Walls GetHairline Cracks

While durable, even plaster walls can incur damage through wear and tear and poor maintenance. Before we delve into how to repair hairline cracks in plaster walls, let’s go over why they happen in the first place.

To be sure we’re on the same page, let’s define what a “hairline crack” is. To put it simply, it is a line that appears along the surface of a wall. It’s not just plaster. It indicates a split that appears as if it is breaking apart. Small hairline cracks are not usually a cause for concern, but they must be addressed as soon as possible before they get worse.

A wide range of things can cause them, and they are:

Poor installation

Sadly, some contractors won’t follow building codes because they can get away with it. At the same time, some are not competent or diligent enough to do the job properly.

Either way, it’s you who loses.

So many things can go wrong when constructing it. For instance, a construction professional might forget to rake the background surface before applying plaster. Another possible scenario is when he or she overlays it without applying chicken wire mesh in the masonry first.

Whatever the reason for the poor installation, a crack is something you can’t afford to ignore.

Seasonal changes

One drawback of using it is that it’s vulnerable to moisture. Moisture becomes prevalent in the atmosphere when seasons change frequently. Allow moisture to come in contact with it regularly, and it will seep through. It causes it to expand and form damage.

Shrinkage

Water from freshly applied plaster tends to evaporate rapidly, reducing the surface layer’s volume. This volume reduction causes it to shrink, resulting in the formation of cracks in the surface layer. To prevent shrinkage from appearing, always check if the plaster has been cured and sanded thoroughly before application.

Corrosion

Using concrete that is of poor quality contributes to corrosion. Weak concrete has a porous surface, making it easy for moisture to seep inside. Once the moisture comes in contact with the cement for too long, the protective layer holding the structure together becomes corroded. It causes hairline cracks to form. Ones caused by corrosion can be even more annoying than the regular ones because of their rusty color.

Foundation shifts

Natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes can produce stresses in the wall’s foundation. It causes cracks not just on the surface but also the structure itself. Ones due to foundation shifts are more likely to expand since the source of the damage is coming from the subsurface.

Vegetation growth

Do you have large trees or vines near your home? You might want to check if they’re growing into your plaster. If cracks result from growing vegetation, you can trim the “excess growth” with pruning shears.

Settlement

Cracks can occur when the house “settles” long enough to create stresses in the home’s foundation, causing the plasterwork to shift. It leads to cracks. They are usually vertical and likely run along the home’s exterior. Ones caused by settlements should not be taken lightly because they may lead to structural problems. It will be wise to have them investigated immediately upon discovery to ensure that the structure of the home hasn’t been compromised in any way.

Fixing lead-painted plaster

Before you start repairing any cracks or holes, you must first check if the paint used on it is lead-based. Why? For one thing, lead is a harmful neurotoxin that can cause many health issues. As you carry out repairs, you will need to perform steps that may cause the chemical to spread into the atmosphere. It puts you and your loved ones at risk.

If your wall was painted before 1978, the paint likely contains lead.

Thankfully, all you need to do to check the presence of lead is to use lead paint test kits. You’re also better off buying them in bulk, especially if the extent of the damage is huge.

Either way, children or pregnant womenshould steer clear from the work area before you get started.

How to repair hairline cracks in plaster

It goes without saying: the smaller the crack, the easier it will be to repair. It’s at least as long as the plaster is still securely attached to the lath inside the wall cavity. How do you determine if it is about to break away from the lath? Simple: give it a gentle push. Is it moving in a way that seems like it will break away from its foundation? In that case, you must contact a specialist who can install a new plaster for you.

But if it feels like it’s going to hold, then good on you. However, you still need to patch it up. Here are the steps to do that:

The Inverted V Method

1. Open the crack to an inverted “V” shape (like a dovetail) and remove any excess dirt and debris. Doing this will give the patch a foothold to cling onto.
2. Cut strips of drywall tape and adhere it along the crack’s length.
3. Apply some moisture on the lath and plaster surrounding the area. This will allow the patch to stick to the surface.
4. Apply at least two layers of mixed joint compound over the crack. Then sand it down with fine sandpaper until the surface is smooth enough.
5. Gently push the compound with a trowel to make sure that the newly applied plaster is adhering securely to the lath.
6. Apply at least two coats of joint compound. Don’t forget to sand the surface between coatings.
7. Apply the final layer of joint compound to create a smooth and seamless base for the paint.
8. Paint over the surface if you like.

How to repair widecracks in plaster walls

Using a joint compound won’t be enough to patch up the damage for wider or bigger cracks. Do the following steps to repair bigger cracks in your plaster.

1. Using a masonry bit, drill 2.54centimeter-holes about 1.5 inches from both sides of the crack’sedges and 3 inches apart.

2. Apply some adhesive along theholes using a caulk gun before removing any excess adhesive with asponge.

3. Secure washers into the holes by driving a 2” drywall screw into each one.

4. Leave the adhesive to dry before removing the washers.

5. Patch it up with a drywall knife.

6. Install a crackstop fabric repairmesh over the damaged area.

7. Apply two layers of coating andsand gently.

Common Causes of Holes

Holes in the plaster can be just as annoying as hairline cracks. Of course, a hole is not something you can ignore. But before you carry out the necessary repairs, it bears knowing why they develop holes in them.

Nails popping out

When a nail is not hammered right in the center of a joist or stud, it tends to pop through the wall in due time. It can be incredibly tempting to pick a hammer and drive it back, but this will only damage further. Even if you drive it deep again, there’s a chance that the nail will pop out again. In this case, it’s always better to nail it through a different point so that it can be securely attached to another joist or stud.

Impact by accident

Numerous things can cause holes. Most are caused by impact from accidents, such as a door swinging too hard or someone bumping against the wall after tripping over his own feet.

Water damage

When a large amount of moisture comes in contact with the wall for too long, it can cause the material to soften or loosen. Allow that moisture to have its way for too long. It will eventually damage it, leaving holes in their wake. Expanding plaster is a good indication that the material is about to pop. Water damage often occurs because of roof leaks, causing water to run through the wall’s interior.

Termite Damage

As many of us already know, termites thrive in wooden structures. It makes your wall an ideal target for infestation. Once these critters gain access to the insides, they can do significant damage.

There are many signs to watch out for indicating that termites have invaded your walls, such as pinholes and hollow sounds. Look out for bubbling and more. You’d do well to contact pest control specialists as soon as you discover these signs.

Loose Joint Tape

Joint tape is applied to the wall to cover up seams in drywalls. Because of moisture or poor construction practices, a joint tape may loosen up and separate from the wall. It causes the one behind it to crack open.

Damage from furniture

Moving around heavy furniture inside the home’s interior can cause scuff marks. These scuff marks weaken the material, which may cause it to crack open sooner or later. To avoid such damages, always be careful when moving the furniture around in your home. Take care not to apply pressure too much when sticking them close to walls.

How to repair holesin plaster walls

Here are the steps to patching up holesin plaster walls.

1. Remove any excess debris, dirt, or plaster from the hole. Cut off any dangling pieces. If the edges are rough or jagged, smooth them out with sandpaper. To remove remaining dirt, wipe the hole’s interior and exterior with a clean rag.

2. Cut a portion of self-adhesivefiberglass mesh that is big enough to cover not just the hole butalso the areas extending 2-3 centimeters past around its perimeter.Center the mesh over the hole and make sure that it’s at least inclose contact with the wooden lath inside. If the mesh isnon-adhesive, nail the mesh to the wooden lathe inside the hole.

3. Apply a ready-mixed filler over the area with a spatula or a putty knife. Allow some of the filler to pass through the holes of the mesh until it’s all filled up. Make sure that the area around the sides of the mesh is completely covered. The idea here is to completely seal the affected area so that it will blend well with the surrounding area. Once the hole is fully patched up, remove any excess filler by brushing at them with a downward stroke of the putty knife or spatula.

4. Use fine sandpaper to gently sandthe area until it’s smoothed over.

5. Apply another layer of ready-mixedfiller over the area. Wait for it to dry.

6. Brush off any excess dirt or dustwith a clean rag.

7. Paint over the area if desired.

Mistakes to Avoid When Repairing It

Now that you know the steps to repair plaster walls, it’s time to get familiar with the common mistakes you need to avoid. After all, every human being tends to get careless when he or she gets too comfortable with a process. If you can avoid committing the mistakes described below, you’ll be able to repair them like a true professional.

Mistake #1: Painting over it even before it’s completely cured

Plaster takes longer to dry and cure, unlike most materials. As a general rule of thumb, you need to wait several days for the material to cure before you paint over it. Paint it too soon, and the moisture in the material will cause the paint product to bubble or bleed. This can result in a messy paint job.

Mistake #2: Skippingthe patching process

Some homeowners (and surprisingly a few professionals) conflate filling with patching. They’re not in any way similar. As a result, many tend to skip the patching process. They think that filling the breaks is enough to do the job.

That’s a big no, especially for big and extensive cracks. When you patch up plaster, you’re adding new material that will attach to the lath. Skip the patching process, and the end-product isn’t likely to last long.

Mistake #3: Notcarrying out the necessary structural repairs

As already mentioned, it is a durable material. In most cases, it takes something major like structural damage to cause the material to crack. Suppose you fill or patch it up without addressing the root of the problem. In that case, you’re likely to experience the same issue repeatedly. Don’t just cover up the damage. Get to the root of the problem and fix the wall once and for all.

Mistake #4: Ignoringthe lath or wiring

The thing with a weakened lath or wire mesh is that it won’t be able to hold the interior plaster together. It’s even if it appears like it’s been patched up completely. Before you patch up those cracks and holes, don’t forget to check if your lath or wiring structure has been compromised. If they’re misshapen or damaged in any form, carry out the necessary repairs to hold your patching and filling material.