New Build Apartment Plaster Cracks

Question

We have an apartment in a large, newly built apartment building. It is a monolithic structure with concrete block dividing walls. The block was covered in plaster and painted. We now have a crack in the plaster a few months later.

Our contractor said to wallpaper because plaster walls could crack due to building settling as the apartments are all built out internally. We wanted paint though. 

The crack basically follows where a channel was carved into the plaster for wiring. It is not one clean crack, but rather a series of many hairline cracks that from a meter or two away looks like one crack. 

It seems there are many opinions on how to fix suck cracks. I do not understand the best way though. How should I repair it?

James · Accepted Answer

Cut the cracks back 30mm either side apply PVA and Plasterers scrim tape, Re-plaster and make good.

Matt · Answer

If you go the wallpaper route as advised by the contractor you can line the walls with a fibre backed lining paper, failing that depending on how bad the cracks are and wallpaper is not an option I would scrim the more severe cracks but if they're only hairline I would rake out the cracks and fill as per normal.

Dafydd · Answer

Yes, I'd agree it's settling movements. It's just one of those things, unfortunately. Yes, wallpaper will cover it but not always the right thing for the decor of some properties. Myself personally I'd take a stanley knife and score out the skim finish of the crack, prime the wall either with PVA or blue grit, place skrim tape over the crack (it's a joint reinforcement), reskim the wall, and decorate to match with existing.

Denzel · Answer

It's best to take out the cracked plaster and re-plaster it. The cracks could be because there wasn't enough PVA on the wall or in the mix of the plaster or because it wasn't wet and trowelled enough to seal the plaster properly.

Dave · Answer

Hi Dave,

It's very difficult to give an accurate assessment of what is required to repair your wall without actually seeing it?
Do you have any photos?

Dave

Sean · Answer

A flexible filler or a good quality decorators caulk may help before re plastering.

Sam · Answer

I would wait for a while longer as it is more than likely new movement cracks so everything needs to settle. Once settled take out the cracks and fill or skim tape and replaster.

Daniel · Answer

I would use adhesive tape over all cracks then PVA  and plaster the wall again, problem solved.

Paul · Answer

I would fill it with an undercoat plaster, make crack wider, then use PVA glue, then replace.

David · Answer

Fill cracks with flexi crack filler leave to dry lightly sand and put your paint on

New Build Apartment Plaster Cracks

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