Cracks in walls happen and shouldn’t be considered an immediate cause for concern. To assess the severity of the crack you’ll need to assess the size and direction of the crack. Thin cracks are rarely anything to worry about, they are usually a result of the materials drying out.
However, larger cracks, especially those around 25mm wide and larger, can be an indication of structural damage. If you have a crack that is large and horizontal there is a good chance that it is serious. You’ll want to contact a reputable building consultant Sydney and have the crack, and your property, assessed as soon as possible.
This will help you to get the professionals to repair the crack and save your property!
The good news is that, in many cases, the cracks are not serious and simply need to be repaired.
Assess The Wall
The first step is to work out what your wall is made of. In most cases, it will be drywall or plaster. These are the simplest cracks to repair. You just need a few tools and a little time, along with some patience.
Clear The Crack
The first step to eliminating the crack is actually to make it bigger! You will want to insert any object that fits into the crack and remove any loose material. Once you have done this manually it is a good idea to use a vacuum to suck any remaining debris out and make sure the crack is clean and free of dust.
Make sure you test the wall on either side of the crack. If it is moving then you need to widen the crack to eliminate the issue. If you don’t do this the crack will simply reappear.
Sand It
Part of crack filling is adhesion. To get good adhesion you will want to sand the area around the crack. This roughens the surface and helps the filler to adhere properly and will make it easier to get a good finish.
Filler
You can purchase standard filler that will go in the crack and help bond it together. You’ll need to decide which type of filler to use based on your wall type and the size of the crack. If it is very small you may prefer to use an injectable sealer. This is often epoxy.
Larger cracks can be filled with filler, make sure you overfill the crack. You will then have to wait for the filler to dry before you can sand it.
By overfilling the crack you can be certain that it has been filled completely.
Sanding will help you to get a perfect finish. Once you have it smooth you will be able to add the paint to blend it back in with the rest of the wall.
If necessary, you can repeat the filler and sanding process to get the perfect finish. It is also worth noting that a crack that reappears can be a sign of a bigger issue. If in doubt, get it checked by a professional.