Hairline cracks

Oct 21, 2003 3 Replies

I painted the walls four months ago, using Homebase/Dulux Emulsion (whatever I hadn't used up). I treated several hairline cracks beforehand with flexible filler out of the gun (the kind that is overpaintable after about an hour). But because the cracks were really hairline ones, I just smeared the filler on with a palette knife, forcing it into the crack, then wiped over with a damp sponge.



Now the cracks have reappeared. What can I use to prevent this from happening again? Maybe I *should* have used the gun and really forced the gunk into the crack. However, they really ARE hairline ones!



Cheers!



MM


Use a flexible filler or mastic.

dg

Aren't you meant to widen hairline cracks (into a V shape) and then fill them. AFAIK, attempting to fill hairline cracks with filler is difficult/impossible to do properly.

D

In article , Mike Mitchell writes

I have an old house with lath and plaster ceilings & walls & this is an ongoing problem. There are small movements going on all the time which mean that cracks just open up again & again. I am just about to try some wall repair tape from screwfix:

formatting link
is very thin and has a flexible self adhesive backing with a tissue paper like top layer. Haven't tried it yet, but it looks like it will flex enough to absorb movement and is paintable.

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required