Filling stepped plaster cracks

danrv

Megaross said:

Personally I'd knock the plaster back and investigate the cause of the cracks, get a structural engineer is probably your best bet. Those look like structural deterioration - diagonal zig zag, wider at the top. I'd air on the side of caution, particularly given there are major cracks elsewhere in the property.

Even if they turn out to be innocuous I'd probably install helical stitching bars for good measure before replastering. Easy and cheap to do yourself.


But if you're taking the "We'll pretend that we didn't see that" approach. Rake out the cracks and easifill. Odds are they will crack again though.

Thanks.
The plastering and decorating job on some walls and in cupboards is quite bad with ridges and blown areas. A challenge to redo when property is occupied. 
It’s not really that old, mid seventies but ex rental.
I’m hoping the Flex Fill that I’ve bought will keep the cracks at bay at least for the kitchen/diner repaint.

[Deleted User]

plumb1_2 said:

Pointless filling in the cracks, the wall needs to be tied together otherwise it will keep opening up.

Hi - jacking here ......
@plumb1_2 How easy is this for a builder .... is it a large job, small, problematic ??

FreeBear

[Deleted User] said:

plumb1_2 said:

Pointless filling in the cracks, the wall needs to be tied together otherwise it will keep opening up.

Hi - jacking here ......
@plumb1_2 How easy is this for a builder .... is it a large job, small, problematic ??

Vertical/diagonal cracks, it is easy to rake out a horizontal mortar joint, insert a helibar, and then pump in the grout. Even a decent handyman or DIYer can do it once the underlying cause has been identified & fixed.

Horizontal cracks such as the one the OP has, a lot more difficult to resolve.

danrv

FreeBear said:

Catsacor said:

plumb1_2 said:

Pointless filling in the cracks, the wall needs to be tied together otherwise it will keep opening up.

Hi - jacking here ......
@plumb1_2 How easy is this for a builder .... is it a large job, small, problematic ??

Vertical/diagonal cracks, it is easy to rake out a horizontal mortar joint, insert a helibar, and then pump in the grout. Even a decent handyman or DIYer can do it once the underlying cause has been identified & fixed.

Horizontal cracks such as the one the OP has, a lot more difficult to resolve.

I may try a helibar in the horizontal crack shown in the pic. I think they’ve gradually widened over decades and probably just been hastily plastered over.