Wondering whether you should hire a professional or buy a wall repair kit for repairing your walls?
Let’s weigh up the pros and cons.
You know, when you’re rushing out of the bathroom to answer that phone, and you accidentally punch a hole in the wall with the doorknob. So the first thing you do is start looking up plaster repair kits on Google right? Well let me give it to you straight when you’re looking up DIYs and wall repair kits, you see it may seem like a great plan at first. But did you know calling a professional plasterer can actually be a better idea than repairing walls yourself? Here’s why:
Saves Money:
Professional wall repair service may save you tons of money. Since they know what they are doing, they can do the right job with the right tools. Fixing damaged walls and plastering is more of an art. A well-trained professional can repair walls with precision and high quality.
Specialized tools to repair damaged walls:
Maybe the most striking difference is the pieces of equipment that a professional bears. Buying a wall repair kit may mean getting some knives and a few patches. But that’s not all. From drill machines to scraping devices, all of which are not cheap or easily usable. Professionals can do a way better job using these tools.
Appropriate anchors:
Not all holes and cracks are the same. Some holes can be deep enough to have no support from the other side, while others can be very simple hairline cracks. Applying a patch to repair walls does not solve the issue, rather complicates it sometimes. You need to apply appropriate anchors to hold the fillers in wall holes.
Paperworks and permits:
If you need some substantial changes made to your house, you may need permits. DIY or calling a local handyman means you have to get these permits yourself. Hiring a professional wall repair service means you get these benefits for free.
So when can you repair walls by DIY?
Of course, there are instances when you can DIY and get a perfect job done. Following are some tips to make a better decision:
The severity of the damage:
Before deciding to do it yourself or hiring a professional, you should first assess the severity of the damage. The damage may be a cut, indentations, cracks, or even mold. The more damage, the necessary it is to call a professional. Since small holes do not require much expertise, you can DIY small patch wall repairs. However, repairing a large hole requires the right tools and a steady hand. Drilling through a plaster wall or cutting the drywall to replace it with a new one is an important part of repairing large holes in walls. Calling the pros in these situations is a better option.
Things to look for before hiring a professional:
Before calling a professional handyman, it is essential to check if they are fit for the job:
Look for their area of expertise. Do they have experience in the task that you want them to do? Look for any special training that they may have gone through.
Check if they are insured for any loss that may be incidental to the work.
See if they can communicate enough like professionals.
Reviews and online ratings are a great way to understand the quality of work to expect.
How To Repair Cracks In Plaster Walls
Owners of a house with plaster walls praise it for its beauty, solid-state, and ability to kill the sound. However, plaster walls are prone to cracking because of climate change and foundation shits. Almost all houses with plaster walls are likely to have window or door cracks. Plaster walls consist of two layers: the other plaster and the wooden lath. It is always better to repair cracks in the plaster walls rather than replacing the damaged chunks.
What do you need?
- Scraper
- Spatula
- Sandpaper
- Knife
- Rag or paintbrush
- Plaster
- Joining tape
- Safety Glasses and Masks
Step #1 To repair cracks in the plaster walls, trim the edges:
To repair cracks in plaster walls, you have to trim the edges. If the cracks are thin or hairlike, make them wider using a scraper or utility knife so that plaster may fit in properly afterward. If the cracks are larger, cut the edges of the cracks a bit using the scapers. The purpose of scrapping is to get more adhesion upon applying the plaster. But don’t scrape into the cracks with too much power. Don’t forget to use safety apparatus while repairing cracks in plaster walls like Safety Glasses, Masks, and ladders if you need them.
Step #2 Getting more adhesion to repair cracks using sandpaper on plaster walls:
The next step in repairing cracking in your plaster wall is using sandpaper upon the cracks and around. It will help in removing any loose flakes and get us some good bonding.
Step #3 Cleaning to repair the cracks of plaster walls with rag or old paintbrush:
Take out your joining tape and apply it to all the cracks. Use fiberglass tape. Placing it over the cracks will give extra support to the plaster that we will apply later. You can use a Stanley knife or scissors to cut the tape.
Step #4 Apply joining tapes on the cracks of plaster walls:
Of course, there are instances when you can DIY and get a perfect job done. Following are some tips to make a better decision:
Step #5 Put the plaster compound on the cracks:
After you have your plaster compound ready, take out your spatula and scrape your plaster into the cracks.
Smooth it with the spatula as much as you can.
Step #6 Let it dry down:
Allow some time to dry down the material. Only a professional knows the importance of this step, and he may tell you that no time is enough for this.
Step #7 Repeat the Sandpaper:
After the compound dries down, you need to give your material a tone. Use the sandpaper on the compound, making it plain and smooth so that the paint can be applied.
Step #8 More compound:
You should repeat step #7 and step #8 for a better finish. But this time, spread the compound a bit further, not just applying on to the cracks. Let it dry again. Thereafter, you should use sandpaper and make the surface a bit more smooth for painting.
Apply a quick wipe of the rug over the wall. Your wall is ready for paint.
Cracks in Plaster Walls - What Causes Them?
Cracks in plaster walls are usual. They usually result due to the settling of a new house. However, cracks can also result because of larger structural issues. Some cracks can actually be a product of some other related issues like drainage or leaking water. Here are the top 10 causes of cracks in plaster walls:
#1: Movement of foundation causes cracks in plaster walls
The movement of the foundation causes random cracks in your plaster walls. Frequent drying and wetting of the soil near the foundation may result in such movement. The foundation movement may also be caused by unequal distribution of the load, which can be a structural problem. Sometimes, earthquakes, flooding, tornados or other natural disasters can cause the foundation movement. It is always better to contact a pro builder for such issues promptly.
#2 In Plaster walls, corrosion of reinforcement causes cracks
Poor quality of plaster lets water penetrate inside, also known as water infiltration or seepage. The moisture reacts with the metal and corrodes the reinforcement bars. Such corrosion may lead to an outward force causing cracks in the plaster walls. That cause is considered a structural issue, which should be repaired as soon as possible.
#3 Loose plaster causes cracks
Whether old or new, Houses use standard plaster walls that can weaken as it becomes loose from the lumber that is affixed behind it, weakening the plaster from tension. Such issues can be fixed easily.
#4 Humidity:
The wood frames of a house can expand and shrink with the increase and drop in humidity. Such a movement causes stress and thrust. Such stress causes cracks in the plaster walls. However, these problems can easily be resolved.
#5: New House Settling Down
The lumber that is still green is moist inside. As the lumber dries out, it tends to move slightly from its original position. The movement causes cracks in the plaster walls. People may plan instant fixes, but they should fix these at least after a year to give the wood enough time to dry out completely. Then re-tape the crack joints with no worry of subsequent changes.
#6: Vacant house:
Leaving a house vacant for an extended period causes cracks in the plaster walls. In an empty house, the atmosphere is not maintained. Fluctuation in temperature and humidity can cause the wood to move, eventually causing cracks. In an occupied home, the temperature is usually maintained, hence, not susceptible to cracks.
#7: Foundation failure:
Cracks may be the sign of a bigger problem in the house. Sometimes, when the foundation starts falling apart, cracks are usually formed in the process. The foundation failure may have resulted due to years of neglect for an underlying cause such as water leaks or design problems. However, the cracks can be followed by other issues such as bulging walls, sagging ceilings, and collapsing ceilings. It is better to call a pro as soon as possible in such situations.
#8: Drying shrinkage:
It is otherwise a different kind of cause. If the plaster wasn’t formed with a mixture of the compound not containing proper water ratio, cracks are most likely the result. Some cracks can also come due to the drying and hardening of the plaster.
#9: Water Leaks:
When water leaks and runs down inside the framing, the structure is likely to get moist and weaken. There are noticeable yellow or brownish stains around it. Before fixing the walls, it’s essential to find the source of the leakage and repair it.
#10: Settling of studs
Old houses are affected by subtle movements. It usually results in hairline cracks that are partly caused due to the removal of the wood frame for creating windows and doors. Therefore, such cracks appear generally close to windows and doors. There is nothing to worry about – these cracks can be repaired with re-taping and paint.
Cracks In Plaster Walls - When to worry
