If you’re looking to learn how to fill cracks in the wall using minimal time and effort, our useful guide covers everything you need to know for simple, effective cracked wall fixes!
With a staggering amount of properties in the UK being 50 years old or more, wall cracks are an extremely common issue for the majority of homes! Cracks, holes and scuffs to the walls occur all too easily and have such a damaging effect on the overall aesthetic of the home. However, what many homeowners don’t realise is just how easy it is to resolve this common yet frustrating issue. Our short guide contains all the Harris expertise needed to complete the job with ease from tips on the best way to fill in a crack to advice on achieving a quick effortless clean-up operation.
On your marks, get set, go! Let’s repair those walls and get your home looking fabulous once more!
Before undertaking any DIY projects like when you’re tackling how to fill a crack in the wall, the first step is of course to suitably protect the room you are working in. Remove all furniture from the room or if this isn’t possible, ensure that the area you’re working in is free from furniture and other obstructions. Next, use a Seriously Good Double Protection Dust Sheet to protect the floor. Be sure to prevent any slipping or movement by taping this in place using some Essentials Masking Tape.
When it comes to the filling a crack in the wall, before you can fix and fill the crack in the wall properly you need to open it out to ensure that your filler has a surface to bind to. Take the Ultimate Chisel Knife to carve out the crack in your wall and open it out into a V shape. Once you’ve achieved this shape, use an Essentials Walls & Ceilings 0.5” Paint Brush to clean away loose dust or debris.
It’s essential to know that the process will differ slightly depending on the size of the crack in your wall.
For small cracks in good plaster, that is, plaster that is not falling apart, our decorating team recommends applying a quality filler directly to the area to ensure a successful repair. However, for larger cracks or cracks that have resulted in the plaster crumbling, we recommend first diluting some PVA glue in water in a small container. Next, you need to paint the PVA solution into the crack using the Essentials Walls & Ceilings 0.5” Paint Brush. This step ensures that the PVA seeps into the plaster, making the surface more solid and reliable ahead of the filler being added in during the next step.
Naturally when it comes to repairing a cracked wall, removing the imperfection with filler is the most crucial step to getting your walls back in good shape! Begin by applying a good quality filler with the Ultimate Filling Knife to achieve a flawless finish in minutes. Add filler into the crack by working the curved blade of your filing knife along the length of the abrasion. Ensure you scrape off excess filler by wetting the filling knife blade and scraping from the centre to the edge along the length of the crack. Remember it’s important to check the instructions on your filler packaging to achieve the best possible finish! Now it’s time to leave your filler to set and cure.
Remove any remaining dust and debris with a Seriously Good Microfibre Cloth and just like that, your newly repaired wall is ready for painting! If you’re looking to complete your paintwork like a professional, we highly recommend heading over to our guides on how to paint a wall and how to paint a ceiling to achieve enviable results the first time around.
Make completing your DIY checklist a pleasure with useful tips and incredible inspiration available in our How To, Let’s Plan and Tip Exchange sections today.
