How to Repair Cracks in Walls Before Painting
Tips and tricks to paint walls without cracks
In terms of home improvement projects, you have the painter at number one. However, before you’re able to achieve that perfect finish, you need to fix any cracks in your walls. Learning how to repair these mistakes is the difference between a professional or not. Before you opt to paint your walls, learning how to fix cracks in walls before you paint is a skill that you’ll need in the future if you are seeking to improve your living space as a homeowner.
Why Cracks Appear on Walls
They’re more than just an eyesore: cracks in walls can be a symptom of deeper problems within your home. It is important to understand why these cracks continue to appear so they do not reoccur. Natural settling of your house can also be a cause, where small hairline cracks can occur over time. It also depends on temperature and humidity fluctuations, which can cause building materials to expand and contract – which leads to cracks. Knowing the root cause of these cracks will allow you to determine which repair method to use, and will prevent future problems.
Assessing the Damage
First, you need to evaluate how damaged you are before you begin any sort of repair work. Not all cracks are created the same, and some may take a little longer to repair. First off, look at the crack length, length, and depth. Large cracks (more than 1/8 inch) may mean structural problems, but typically hairline cracks are less than 1/8 inch wide and often superficial. Upon learning what was lost, you have a scope of the damage to know what materials and techniques to use in repair, to get a good outcome.
Collecting Together the Right Tools and Materials
No matter what project you are fixing, it’s important to have the right tools and materials to keep you on schedule. A putty knife, sandpaper, primer, and paint will suffice for most wall crack repairs. If your crack is quite large, you may need a patching plaster or joint compound (or the powder used to make the compound) as well as reinforcing mesh tape. Having these items before you start the repair process will save you time and prevent any unnecessary interruptions in the repair process. In addition, you want to wear gloves and safety goggles and be covered from any dust or debris.
Choosing the best repair method is way more complex than you might imagine.
After determining the damage you’ve got and procuring your materials, it’s now time to select which repair method is ideal. For hairline cracks, an application of spackling paste or patching compound may be simple enough. For larger cracks, a joint compound with reinforcing mesh tape is often needed to make a repair long-lasting. There are times when hiring a professional is best, especially in case of structural problems. Select the right method, and you will know what to do for the repair.
Preparing the Wall Surface
Success in repair depends upon proper preparation. Start by cleaning up the surrounding area of the crack with a damp cloth to get rid of some dust or dirt. If the crack is already filled with loose material, remove the loose material with a putty knife to achieve new filler for the crack. When the area is clean, lightly sand the crack’s edges so the filler sticks. Preparing the wall surface takes time, but it will result in better results and a more professional finish.
Filling Small Cracks
For small cracks, some use of a quality sparkling paste or patching compound will considerably fix your problem. Run a small amount of the filler over the crack with a putty knife, and then press it aggressively into the space. Smooth with the putty knife, bringing the filler onto the same level as the surrounding wall. Move on to the next step when the filler is dry per the manufacturer’s instructions. Careful filling of small cracks will give you a gorgeous finish once the paint is applied.
Repairing Large Cracks
A more robust repair approach is needed to resolve larger cracks. Apply joint compound over the crack using a putty knife, then begin. Next, lay a strip of reinforcing mesh tape over the wet compound, working it into place. After taping and smoothing it out with the putty knife, apply another layer of joint compound on top with your putty knife. After the compound dries, sand the area smoothly. Adding this method increases the strength and prevents the crack from reappearing.
Sanding for a Smooth Finish
To create a smooth finish, a sanding of the repaired area is necessary. Fine-grit sandpaper is used once the filler, or joint compound, dries to gently smooth the surface of your filler or joint compound. Be careful not to sand too aggressively, also because it can hurt the wall around. Sanding removes any excess filler and makes sure you can’t tell where the repair stops and the wall begins. If the surface is not smooth, you won’t get an even paint application and a nice professional look.
Priming the Repaired Area
To obtain the best paint finish, the repaired area must be primed. Use a primer built for repaired surfaces on the area with a brush or roller. It also seals the filler and keeps the paint from pulling up unevenly into these cavities. Don’t paint until the primer is dry. As well as smoothing out the repair for appearance, priming also extends the life of the repair, creating a stable base for the finish coat to adhere nicely to.
The finishing touch to a painting is what you do.
After the repairs were finished, the wall needed to be painted. Starting with the cut in the edge of the repaired area, paint it in with a brush and then apply paint using a roller evenly over the surface. Happy painting and apply two coats of paint, taking your time to allow each coat a good dry time between the coats. Doing this will provide you with a rich, even finish that highlights the true quality of your repair work. By spending a little time painting accurately, you can have a professional-looking result that really makes your space.
Preventing Future Wall Cracks
However, after making your walls back into one piece, it’s important to do what you can to avoid it from happening all over again. Have a regular check for settling or structural issues and look after them once spotted. Keep the indoor temperature and humidity as stable as possible to avert the risk of gaping and shrinking in your walls. Not only will using high-quality paint and primers make your walls appear better than they sound, but it can also help protect your walls from future wear and tear. If you take the proactive steps, you will have beautifully painted walls for a long time.
Conclusion
Repairing cracks on walls before painting is a must-do to get an awesome professional look finish. A cracking dilemma: homeowners understand the causes of cracks, and the damage, and can use the right techniques to tackle this task. The only way that you can extend the life of a paint job, or re-decorate your living space, is with proper preparation and attention to detail. If you are looking for more help or want other resources, consider talking to a professional or visiting some online tutorials to get some more solid tricks under your belt. Happy painting!