Your home is one of your most valuable possessions. You need to take care of it and make sure that any damage is repaired as soon as possible. If you have a cracked or damaged wall, don’t panic. There are several things that you can do to fix it up yourself. In this blog post, we will discuss the different ways to deal with walls cracking.
Figure Out Where the Damage is Coming From
The first step in repairing a crack in your wall is to figure out where the damage is coming from. This can be done by gently running a flat head screwdriver along the crack. Follow the screwdriver with your finger and feel for bumps or ridges that may not be consistent with how you think the crack should look. When you find the source of the problem, it will usually feel like another crack branching off from the original one. If this is what you come across, you’ll need to remove whatever material caused it and repair it separately before tackling the original.
After you know where the damage comes from, it’s time to deal with it. There are several different ways to fix a crack, and each option has its own pros and cons. It doesn’t matter which method you use as long as you remember that the key point is to stop the crack from getting any bigger. The longer you leave it, the more damage will be done. If your problem is located on an outside wall, you don’t want rain or pests such as roaches making their way inside because of no repair work being done.
Spackle for Small Cracks
One of the most popular methods for dealing with cracks in walls is using spackle which can be purchased at any major home improvement store. Spackle is a type of putty that dries to a hard finish and can be painted over. You simply apply it to the crack, smooth it out with your finger and let it dry overnight before applying another layer. Repeat this process until you have filled up the whole crack. Be sure to allow time for each layer to dry because if you apply too much spackle at once, it will crack or crumble when drying up and will not stay in place.
After you have applied several layers of spackle, create a cross pattern along the center of the crack by running a paint stirrer across it. The cracks in your wall should then be sealed properly without any signs that they were ever there in the first place. This is one of the best ways to deal with cracks in walls because it is affordable and easy.
Joint Compound for Large Cracks
Another thing that you can use as a substitute for spackle is joint compound. The joint compound is thicker than spackle, so it holds up better against weight or pressure from furniture being pushed against a wall or kids hanging pictures on it. You can also sand the dried compound to create a smooth finish, and it won’t take as much time to dry up either, which is great for your pocket.
The downside to using joint compound instead of spackle is that you’ll need more tools for application. For example, you’ll need tape, sandpaper, and several types of knives, such as the one pictured below. A good idea would be to apply some painter’s tape across the crack before applying any compound so that you get an even finish when everything has dried up.
Plaster of Paris Method
Another way to deal with hairline cracks in walls is by mixing plaster of Paris with water until it takes on a thick, peanut butter-like consistency and then placing it into the crack. You’ll need to use a trowel or something similar to smooth the surface of the compound so that there are no areas with too much or not enough plaster.
You’ll need several layers of this mixture before you can paint over it, but if done correctly, there will be no sign of cracks on your wall once everything has dried up. Just apply some painter’s tape across the crack first, though, just in case because if you’re too heavy-handed with the trowel when applying the plaster, you might end up pushing some through the crack.
Remove Wallpaper Method
A final way to deal with cracks in walls is by removing any wallpaper that might be present in the affected area. Once the wallpaper has been carefully removed, fill up any holes with joint compound or spackle, and you’re all set. You can then paint over this newly-repaired wall with regular house paint to cover up any imperfections.
If you’re worried about removing wallpaper yourself because of bad experiences in the past, just know that it doesn’t have to be as difficult as some people make it out to be. Just apply a little bit of water onto the paper before peeling it off, and use a flat tool such as a scraper blade instead of ripping at it with your bare hands.
If you see a crack in your wall, try to figure out what is causing it and just how severe the damage is. If it’s minor, then spackle should do the trick. If not, there are more complicated repairs that you can undertake. Make sure that whatever problem you have does not compromise the stability of your home or any fixtures before going ahead with a major repair project.
