Filling cracks in walls

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Sun Jan 26, 2025 9:39 am

I have a couple of cracks in walls which I intend to paint over (possibly having them skimmed first).

What is the best way to fill these and stop them reappearing?

moderator2 · Post by **moderator2** » Tue Jan 28, 2025 8:08 am

Moved to P&D

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Tue Jan 28, 2025 8:59 am

It looks like a natural movement crack so I would gently rake the crack with the edge of a filling knife to remove any loose plaster. Fill with flexible filler wiping smooth as you go to minimise sanding back. Leave to dry out and then cover the filled areas with a dilute emulsion to seal it and minimise different absorption rates that could look patchy when you paint the wall.

DWD

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Sat Feb 01, 2025 7:37 am

dewaltdisney wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 8:59 am It looks like a natural movement crack so I would gently rake the crack with the edge of a filling knife to remove any loose plaster. Fill with flexible filler wiping smooth as you go to minimise sanding back. Leave to dry out and then cover the filled areas with a dilute emulsion to seal it and minimise different absorption rates that could look patchy when you paint the wall.

DWD

Thanks, I wonder if the gaps is too thin to get filler in (it's about half a mm, if that). Would it be worth raking it open to a couple of mm?

hiace_drifter · Post by **hiace_drifter** » Sat Mar 15, 2025 3:15 pm

I was intending to have the cracked wall skimmed over (once the crack is dealt with). The walls will then be painted ... is it recommended to using lining paper first?

stevei · Post by **stevei** » Sun Mar 16, 2025 7:42 am

If you are having the walls skimmed there is no need for lining paper. Remember to use a mist coat, 50/50 paint and water, on fresh plaster.