My husband and I recently purchased our first apartment in a prewar building. There were minor cracks in the plaster walls when we purchased the apartment, but the inspector didn’t seem to think they were an indication of any structural problems. Prior to painting we fixed the existing cracks in the walls. Now, just a few months after painting, we’ve discovered new cracks in several of our walls. Is this normal? Is there any way to prevent future cracks or are we just destined to live in an apartment with cracked walls?


Comments

  1. Call Mirage studios in long island city at 718 361 1071 they sell master of plaster products that completely restore old plaster walls without sanding or bonding agents.Your walls will be as smooth as glass.Check out masterofplaster.com

  2. Isn’t it true that any quick fix approach to cracking plaster is bound not to last? After all, we’re talking about years and years of accretion of damage over layers of repair over damage etc. Isn’t the only permanent fix skim-coating all the walls?

  3. Our company in southern Colorado does plaster repairs for less than $50k! Sheesh!
    No one above mentioned anything about using Daraweld (concrete “glue”) to prep your surfaces before patching. If you make a mixture of it, 50/50 with water, it soaks into the more fragile portions of your damage and consolidates it. Sometimes plaster becomes fragile with exposure to water, even if it’s only condensation. This takes years sometimes to do the damage, but there you go. My father has used this method for thirty years, once in a large (old) auditorium ceiling and none of it has ever come down. I don’t know if it’s even cracked again. The stuff also acts like a microscopic cushion. When an old fogie tells you “They don’t build them like they used to back in the old days!” You can tell him (or her) for me, “Thank heavens!” There have been many improvements in materials and methods. To get apprentices familiar with this material and process I have them make two small egg shapes by hand. One with a quart of Gypsum setting-mix and this mixture instead of water. The other with same and water. These get set aside until they are dry enough to sand. Handed a metal rasp I tell them to smooth the egg to a nicer shape. They usually come to me and say they can’t even rasp the first one. It’s too hard!
    That gives them an idea of what is going on. Try it for yourself. P.S. The plaster secret is this: sugar in the water to slow it down, salt to speed it up.

  4. I had a similar problem with cracks in my ceiling. I came across a reference, Fitz??, on this website. He and his guys did a great job fixing the problem and educated me a bit. I don’t have his number on hand, but if you search this site you may be able to find it.

    More importantly, you may want to work with the co-op board to help determine the source of the problem (determine if it’s foundational) and have that fixed first. It can’t just be only you facing this.

  5. 2:48 you are on the right track.

    To reiterate above. If it is a small crack which can be filled with painter’s caulk, do that. The caulk will be flexible and allow for future movement. (Paint with a latex paint, too)

    If the plater is separated from the lath (the keys are broken) use plaster washers: see http://www.modernwaylumber.com/plaster (nice graphic, but order anywhere)

    As others have said, be sure to tape over the crack if you repait with mud. Mesh tape is great or flat areas, more difficult in corners.

  6. Guest 1:08, you sound like you know what you are talking about.
    Can you give me some tips on patching a much larger area, about 8 sq ft. The horsehair plaster there was removed to open the chimney, and now there is just bare brick that needs to be covered. I was planning to use Structolite Base Coat for scratch and brown coat and then Master of Plaster for the finish coat.

  7. It sounds like maybe the general cracking in the plaster weren’t repaired properly over the years, that’s all. And now the quickie job they did before selling is opening up again, in the areas you yourself have not patched yet.

    Sure it’s a pain, but plaster walls are superior to drywall so it’s worth it.