Plastering - professional against DIY. Cracks.

Nine_Lives

So we'll be getting our own place next year. While off work i've been gandering at homes under the hammer & looking at nice transformations that have been done & how good the plastering job looks.

My uncle did time as a builder. I'm not sure whether he fully qualified as one, but when he was a youngster he worked under a builder for a short while. As such, he does odd jobs for the family.

He's done plastering for us, but it's often cracked. The walls up our stair way were re-plastered as they were suffering from a lot of damp (when i say damp, i actually mean water trickling down the walls). It's an old old (few 100yrs) cottage.

Anyway, as i say, the plaster has cracked in places, and i'm wondering what this is likely down to.
* old house?
* wall being road side - so a lot of vibrations from the traffic that passes (it's a main road) such as wagons etc?
* That he may not be a fully qualified builder, so will perhaps only know the basics & not how to do a job to a top standard?
* other factors


Because if we require building work done (not just plastering) then on a cost level, we'd be looking at him as he's the only one we know out of family/friends who can do building work.
But as i like a job done "right", i would rather spend more if it's the fact that it's likely my uncle as to why the plaster has cracked (it's been on the walls approx 12-18 months).

Nine_Lives

up onto page 1 we go

Leif

It would help if you describe these cracks.

I had some ceilings done this summer, and there are cracks in one of them, thin cracks about 1m long. Some cracks appeared in old ceilings no doubt due to trades bouncing around in the loft. And the kitchen wall has cracked where a chimney flue vent was sealed, only fine cracks easily repaired. There are also cracks near the new boiler, especially round the flue presumably due to heat. So in my experience hair line cracks are common, though it might be something to do with my house e.g. flexing ceiling joists.

DVardysShadow

As Leif says, a description would be helpful. Plaster can crack for a multitude of reasons

• old cement render base blows from wall
• new cement render base blows from wall
• plaster dries too quickly
• overplastering wood
• wall riakety

external vibration
Some will be the fault of the plasterer and some won't

Nine_Lives

I could get a photo if needs be.

The cracking is very thin & zig zags out from top of wall to bottom.

As i say, i can get a photo if it would help - not a problem.

DVardysShadow wrote: »

• plaster dries too quickly

I can't be 100% sure on this one, but i know my mum loves to stick the dehumidifier on the bottom of the stairs & leave it running. I can't quite remember if it was on regularly right after the plastering got done or not. IF it was then i guess this could be cause.

mazza111

can confirm that may dry it out too fast. Can you believe my new plaster has cracked behind where my pc was sitting on at the time. I did notice that the fan was drying it out but didn't think it would cause the damage. Will need to do a cover up next time we decorate.

Nine_Lives

I just assumed that it didn't crack with the pros but i guess this isn't necessarily the case. Plus on the TV shows, they never show you close ups anyway.

What's the solution when you get unsightly cracks (other than wallpapering)?

AdmiralX

Depends also how many coats and how thickly the are applied. Also if the plaster dries rapidly it looses strength and cracks. Or if the layer is thick and dries fast, cracks could happen. Depends also on the substrate that absorbs the water... A plasterer quoted to me for 2 thin layers for a large lounge ceiling so that we avoid cracks.

There is however lime render and lime plaster (on top) that might not develop cracks over a large surface. it is breathable and surveyors recommend also for damp proof work. But takes time to dry. You might find this link of use http://www.lime-mortars.co.uk/lime-plaster

Nine_Lives

There's a lot of lime mortar work here. I assume because of the age of the house - i'm guessing that's all they used back then??
We have an old pig hut which has been DIY converted into a shed which is constructed of lime mortar.

AdmiralX

K_P83 wrote: »

There's a lot of lime mortar work here. I assume because of the age of the house - i'm guessing that's all they used back then??
We have an old pig hut which has been DIY converted into a shed which is constructed of lime mortar.

It depends how one uses lime mortar; and what type of lime one uses.. If it is not prepared and used properly it may crack. I am not craftsman. There are other renders too like stucco. Now some surveyors recommend use of lime render on the bricks for damp proofing because it breathes. It is not general. But the transport cost of lime is high because it is produced in certain regions. One can get small ready pots. It takes long to dry.

DVardysShadow

K_P83 wrote: »

I could get a photo if needs be.

The cracking is very thin & zig zags out from top of wall to bottom.

As i say, i can get a photo if it would help - not a problem.I can't be 100% sure on this one, but i know my mum loves to stick the dehumidifier on the bottom of the stairs & leave it running. I can't quite remember if it was on regularly right after the plastering got done or not. IF it was then i guess this could be cause.

Yes, a photo would help.

And if mother used a dehumidifier with the intention of drying the plaster, that was a big mistake. Plaster does not dry, it sets and the water is chemically bonded in.