Fixing cracks in walls

Wall crack repair made simple
Three basic situations exist -

1. hairline cracks
2. larger cracks
3. corner cracks


1. For hairline cracks, just use a 3" roller
to apply three coats of an elastic membrame.
I prefer Peel Stop, which is Zinsser product,
available just about everywhere. A roller is
better than a brush, since brush marks will show
through the finish rolled coat of wall paint.

2. For harsher cracks, open the crack up a bit and
fill it with an acrylic/silica patching compound.
Several companies offer this, including Sherwin
Williams, Benjamin Moore and DAP. The product is
generally called an interior/exterior shrink-free
spackle. It will shrink just a little though, so
plan on two applications. Over this, apply your
three coats of the Peel Stop.

The spackle can almost always be troweled over
cracks in such a manner as to require no sanding.
But sometimes, for larger repairs, a light sanding
is needed. Wait several hours and use 180 grit or
finer.

This type of crack repair will outlast repairs made
using paper or fiberglass tape and joint compound.
In fact, the crack will probably never reopen. It
will also save hours or days of needless labor and
will eliminate the sanding dust problem.

For the ultimate long lasting repair, prime the
interior of the crack, then trowel PL-400
construction adhesive into the crack before applying
the patching compound. Wipe it smooth with your finger
and allow it to dry overnight.

3. Cracks in corners should just be caulked and given
a good finger wipe.