Cracked artex help

valleyboy22

Hi all,

I have some cracks in my artex, and one or two little bits are slightly hanging off.

Is the a filler that can help please, because I tries poly filler and it's a different non white colour. Any tips or advice to fill these would. Be great thanks.

EssexExile

valleyboy22 wrote: »

I tries poly filler and it's a different non white colour.

You have to paint it.

valleyboy22

That will work will it?

valleyboy22

Thanks. Was advised filler slightly watered down to a paste abd do it that way. Or I have purchased builders Cork which I read was OK to use to.

FreeBear

If your Artex has cracks in it and lumps are flaking off, you have an underlying problem. There is a good chance that the ceiling has cracks in it and is still moving - This would account for the Artex cracking.

With the Artex flaking off, this would suggest that the original preparation was inadequate and/or whitewash or distemper had been used in the past. Is this an older property ?

The quick fix is to whack a bit of polyfilla in and then slap a bit of emulsion over the top. This will need doing again in a year or three. Repeat until such time as you sell up and move, leaving the new purchaser to deal with the underlying problem.

I had an Artex ceiling with cracks and peeling - Grabbed the bull by the horns and took down the entire ceiling, denailed, and reboarded/skimmed. No more cracks in my lifetime, and a nice smooth ceiling that can be painted (I put a coat of polished plaster on instead).

PhilE

valleyboy22 wrote: »

Hi all,

I have some cracks in my artex, and one or two little bits are slightly hanging off.

Is the a filler that can help please, because I tries poly filler and it's a different non white colour. Any tips or advice to fill these would. Be great thanks.

If by artex you mean popcorn ceilings, then polyfilla is all you need. Then paint if necessary. I was told that by a professional asbestos company. I've had several actual holes in artex and had the air of my house tested for asbestos, which was passed. That was without the holes filled.

Get it filled, don't worry about it.

ceredigion

FreeBear wrote: »

If your Artex has cracks in it and lumps are flaking off, you have an underlying problem. There is a good chance that the ceiling has cracks in it and is still moving - This would account for the Artex cracking.

With the Artex flaking off, this would suggest that the original preparation was inadequate and/or whitewash or distemper had been used in the past. Is this an older property ?

The quick fix is to whack a bit of polyfilla in and then slap a bit of emulsion over the top. This will need doing again in a year or three. Repeat until such time as you sell up and move, leaving the new purchaser to deal with the underlying problem.

I had an Artex ceiling with cracks and peeling - Grabbed the bull by the horns and took down the entire ceiling, denailed, and reboarded/skimmed. No more cracks in my lifetime, and a nice smooth ceiling that can be painted (I put a coat of polished plaster on instead).

I've noticed you've used the term " polished plaster" several times.
Do you actually mean polished plaster or board finish / multi finish that is applied and set. As the two things are completely different. If the latter , we try very hard not to polish it as it serves little to no purpose and is a detriment to the decorators. Once its flat and smooth with no holes or shadows that is that. And is invariably smoother and the painted finish . Polished plaster on the other hand is the finish, its time consuming and difficult. Literally involves polishing with a large buffing machine. producing a high gloss effect ,almost like patent leather.

FreeBear

ceredigion wrote: »

Polished plaster on the other hand is the finish, its time consuming and difficult. Literally involves polishing with a large buffing machine. producing a high gloss effect ,almost like patent leather.

Like these -



Whilst you could use a buffing machine, it isn't necessary unless you want a high gloss finish. Yes, it is time consuming and labour intensive, but not a highly skilled job - If you can slap on a coat of gypsum plaster and get a reasonably smooth finish, you can do polished plaster.

As far as costs go, even going out to buy the stuff ready made, it works out around £6 to £10 per square metre - Way cheaper than tiling or even some wallpapers.

FreeBear

Beton Cerè is a cement topping with a final coat of polyurethane resin. Polished concrete is as the name suggests, a slab of concrete that is honed and polished - The former can be had in a variety of colours, the latter relies on the aggregate type and content for its interest.

If you like the industrial look of concrete, go ahead and have some fun.

FreeBear

Have fun with that, but do remember that you will need to seal the surface once it has been honed & polished.