Key Takeaways
old homes often have lath - and - plaster walls . Plaster is both a durable and good - depend surface , but there is one drawback : Plaster inevitably evolve scissure .
latex paint paint will enshroud hairline cracks in plaster , at least temporarily . The coverup , though , may last only a few hours or a few month . Small adhesive plaster cracks have an bothersome room of show up again and again . It may be smarter to enlarge them and set up them properly once and for all .
Making a small flaw bighearted may voice like reverse logical system , but it ’s easier to fix big crack in sticking plaster than minuscule ones . function plasterwork of paris , which does n’t shrink as it dries , or purchase premixed sticking plaster repair chemical compound . Repairing enceinte plaster crack take these gradation :
footfall 1 : Cut away loose plaster with public utility tongue . Turn knife to make opening all-embracing and more clean - seamed . withdraw debris while keep up morphologic integrity of surface around it . clear away loose plaster of Paris and junk with void cleaner .
Step 2 : mix in thick paste of plaster of paris and water supply , and wet cracking thoroughly with paintbrush dipped in water . Pack plaster of paris ( or repair compound ) into sozzled whirl to its full depth , and smooth surface with scraper or trowel . Let fill crack wry at least 24 hours .
Step 3 : softly sand patch when plaster is dry with intermediate - or fine - degree sandpaper wrapped around wood stop . If cranny was wide , replaster it at least once more to make surface fluid , rewetting daub expanse each meter . Let arena dry for at least 24 hours after last plastering .
Step 4 : Lightly sand piece again , and ground it with thinned coating of pigment or primer . When fusee is wry , paint entire rampart .