Wall preparation
Cracks in the wall: harmless or a warning sign?
Almost every older flat has cracks somewhere. Most are a cosmetic problem that can be fixed well during a renovation. A few, however, point to movement in the building. A visual check gives first indications, but for conspicuous or recurring cracks it does not replace a professional assessment.
Types of crack
Fine hairline cracks in the plaster or paint are usually shrinkage cracks that formed while drying. Whether a repair is sufficient depends on the cause and the condition of the surface. Cracks right along the edge between wall and ceiling or at board joints occur because different parts of the building move very slightly differently.
More serious are cracks that run diagonally from window or door corners, are clearly wider than a millimetre or keep growing. They can indicate settlement and should be looked at by a specialist before any filling.
Monitoring a crack
Whether a crack is changing is easy to check: mark both ends with a pencil line and note the date. A photo with a ruler alongside records the width.
The record shows whether the crack has changed during the observation period. An unchanged crack is, however, no reliable proof that movement has stopped. The cause and appropriate treatment should be clarified before the repair.
- Mark and date the ends in pencil
- Photo with a ruler or tape measure
- Compare after a few weeks
Repairing properly
A crack is opened up slightly so that the filler can grip, then filled and sanded. For recurring cracks, reinforcing fleece or mesh helps by spreading the stresses over a larger area.
Cracks along the wall-ceiling edge are not filled rigidly but closed with something flexible, such as paintable acrylic sealant. Otherwise they reopen in exactly the same place.
Related service
Wall filling & preparation in Riesa
Would you rather have it done for you? We carry out the work in Riesa and the surrounding area. Send us a few photos and your preferred date, and you will receive a quote.