How to Repair Hairline Cracks
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ส.ค. 2019
- Links to tools and equipment shown in the video:
Scraper
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Filling Knife
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Polyfilla
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240 Grade Abrasive Paper
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Hamilton Perfection 3 Ring Dusting Brush
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Links shown above are affiliate links.
Aubrey shows us the correct method for dealing with hairline cracks to ensure a permanent repair. The video gives step by step instructions on the processes and tools required to complete the task
Subscribe to Aubrey`s Channel to see new video`s on a wide range of decorating topics. Broaden your decorating skills and improve your home knowing you are doing it the professional way. - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Cracking job.
Painted the crack with smooth masonry paint then painted over with the main paint crack stayed away for a few years and I've tried every way and found this the best solution give it a go 👍
Wow another excellent video. Everyday is a learning for me and your channel provides wealth of knowledge in DIY. Thanks Aubrey.
My pleasure!
Great simple to follow advice - thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
To the point and simple editing, liked 👍🏻
Glad you liked it! 😊
Thanks Aubrey, your videos are great for people like me who need to know the real basics.
Hi Greg, thank you for your kind comment. I set up this channel last summer with the intention of posting a wide range of videos to give people guidance who are new to the world of home decorating. I am glad that you are finding them useful 😊
@@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating Can you use the same technique on wooden panelling on bathroom ceiling with a hairline crack?
With gaps in wooden panelling I would use a scraper to remove any loose material by pulling it along the crack. Then use a dusting brush to remove the dust etc. Fill the crack using decorators caulk which is applied using a skeleton gun. After using the gun smooth it off using your finger. Leave it 24 hours before painting. The decorators caulk is more flexible and works best in this situation. Hope all goes well for you Miss Bee 😊
You would be surprised how many people don’t know the “very basics”
Very helpful thank you so much for sharing :)keep it up with your great works and tips 👍
Thank you! Will do! 😊
Even with drywall compound in your repaired crack, that crack is likely to return unless you apply fiberglass (mesh) tape over the first layer of compound, then apply progressively feather edged compound in 2 or 3 more layers to extend about 10-12 inches wide of the crack. Then after it is all dry, you sand (about 180 to 220 grit) and tack clean/wipe clean and prime, preferably with Killz or other stain concealing primer. After it is dry, feather edge paint the whole section with 2 coats of paint.
Amazing video, really helpful! Thank you
You're very welcome!
great help thank you i find a small mouse sander is ideal for sanding down after filling in and also for other wood work
Its such a pleasure when you come across genuinely useful tips such as this on TH-cam. I’ve tried filling cracks in the past when decorating and they always reappear. Now I know how to do it properly
Thank you for the kind comment, hope all goes well for you Charles 😊
Great tip that, i have some cracks to fill myself and this has made it easier, thanks 👍😉
Good stuff Tony, glad you found it helpful. Hope all goes well with the decorating 😊
totally agree.
Another excellent tutorial. Many thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it 😊
What a nice concise video. Thank you
Thank you Susan, glad you liked the video 😊
Thanks for showing this. I can now hopefully get rid of those pesky little crack!
Thanks Sophie, fingers crossed all goes well for you 😊
Cheers - About to fix my bathroom ceiling crack (hairline) and this helped a tonne.
That is good to know, thanks Kenny 😊
Hi Clark, I'm about to do this as well. Can you share any results/learning?
Owww defo going to try this as i have 2 that keep coming back!! Thanks everso for another great tutorial so appreciated Stay safe
Thank you Lisa 😊
Thank you, very informative
Glad it was helpful Marilena 😊
Brilliant video!
Many thanks! 😊
Nice professional job.
Thanks 👍
Always superb tutorials !
Glad you like them Melanie 😊
@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating Hi Aubrey I have issues with several hairline cracks in my walls and ceilings that keep opening up. The repairs were done by tradesmen twice but they used plaster and they opened up months later. I redid all of them using Tetrion powder but they all came back. I have used your method but the only difference was I didn't lean to the left then right I just scored them straight down. Do you think it will work after I try this as it's pretty annoying doing the same repairs twice a year. I will use your filler choice next time though. To be honest I don't want to mess around with mesh tape I'm a novice d.i.yer. Tbh I don't think next door loft extension helped last year as well 🤨. Many thanks 😊.
You are absolutely awesome.
Wow, thank you! 😊
I have recently got loads of cracks in the ceiling after some work was carried out in the loft. Some really usefull tips in here.
Will use them as required.
Glad it was helpful!
@@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating Thank you so much...
Got this exact same crack on my wall and haven’t a clue how to fix it thanks a lot will be sorting this out tomorrow great videos
Thank you, hope all goes well for you.
Great video. Really helped
Glad it helped 😊
Brilliant, you make it look so easy, i have the task to do this on my landing ceiling, wish me luck.
Glad you found the video helpful, hoe all goes well for you Louise 😊
Love this guy
Excellent instruction!
Thank you so much! xoxo
Glad it was helpful Maria, hope all goes well with the decorating 😊
Cheers Aubrey, that's how I was taught years ago, I just needed reminding.
Glad I could help David 😊
Thanks for the tips. I recently bought a 96 year old house and have a few of these to repair.
Glad you found the video helpful Megan. Hope all goes well with the decorating 😊
Great this mate, thanks
Glad it helped 😊
Very handy, thank you
Glad it helped 😊
Nice work Aubrey. Any flashing through from the fillers after the two coats ?
Hi there. If you gonna to use soft sheen paint over the filler you must touch up the filler with white Matt emulsion first. You’re welcome.
Very good information as far as explaining. I feel confident that I can do this on my own fixing the cracks in my old house although I do have a question. Should I be concerned if a crack is not vertical like your video? my crack is like sideways along the top of the mouldings and ceiling. is that a normal aging crack process in a old house? For sure, I would have to use decorator's caulk due to not knowing how to mix things together? I did see you paste something but what was it? maybe I missed something, since I had to read the caption. thank you for your time.
Hi Amy, the cracks you describe sound normal for an older house. You are right in saying decorator's caulk would be best for the cracks along the top of mouldings and skirting boards and around door frames etc. Other cracks on walls and ceilings can be treated in the same way as shown in the video. I do have a video on how to mix up powder based filler (Polyfilla) on my channel. Hope all goes well for you with the decorating 😊
Liked that. Thank you
Glad to hear it Peter 😊
Thanks, really helped.
Glad it helped Mark 😊
Thank you
Wow thanks for the how to guide brilliant
Glad it was helpful! 😊
Thanks Aubrey
Thank you too.
Awesome. I followed your advice
Good stuff 😊
Thanks
Could this be a problem with the foundation, or is this common with the aging of the house?
Good tip thanks
No problem 👍
Thank you very much! Will get to do this STRAIGHT AWAY in my kitchen :)
Good stuff, hope all goes well with the decorating 😊
Thank you!
You're welcome! 😊
Great video 👌🏻
Glad you enjoyed it 😊
Hi, thank you for the video. Do you have any tips on matching the surface texture before painting? My walls aren’t “textured”, but 70 years of painting gave them a texture that can be noticed next to the smoothness of a sanded crack repair. Thanks!
Hi Gina, I would suggest buying a mini roller set which comes with two rollers, one for gloss and one for emulsion. Screwfix and other DIY shops sell them for a few pounds. Using the small emulsion roller apply a layer of thick emulsion paint over the sanded area. use the roller slowly to create an orange peel texture. Let it dry and apply another thick coat with the roller. Hopefully after a few coats it should look something like the surrounding wall area. Hope all goes well 😊
I had the same issue. Thanks for the question and advice.
I see Paul McCartney has had a career change.
Nice one ☺️
Spitting image
Hah!! I clicked based on the thumbnail, just to see if anyone else saw --- Larry Bird!
Look for his latest video: fixing a hole
@@phil2003ashleigh Where the rain gets in?
Hi Aubrey - Any advice for cracks between ceiling and wall? I've seen a few suggestions to use decorator's caulk. Thanks
Yes decorator`s caulk would be a good option as if there is till some movement it should not crack again as the caulk is flexible. It says on the tube that it can be overpainted after an hour. Don`t do this as the paint over the caulk will crack and look pretty bad. Best to leave it for at least a day to fully dry out. Hope all goes well for you.👍
Hi Aubrey. You kindly gave me good advice last year when decorating our lounge/diner. We have a largish crack on our kitchen ceiling and I'm not sure how to fix (but i have an idea using expandable foam). The ceiling has artex. Maybe i can send a picture? Thanks again Shawn.
Hi Dave, you could try the foam idea or build it up in layers using the powder based filler.
Great video. What would you or any pros recommend on new plaster? Had a crack appear, very narrow. I don't think I want to stick a filing knife in to widen.
I would still recommend undercutting the crack slightly or it will probably appear again quite quickly if you just apply filler over the crack as it is.
Thanks, Aubrey, this has been really useful. How do you make your own filler?
Glad you found the video useful. I have included a video on how to mix up powder filler on my site, hope that helps 😊
Would you do this before or after skimming an entire small bedroom?
Hello love your videos. Very helpful. Can I ask a question please. I has my house plastered and pained 6 months ago and now hairline cracks appearing everywhere. I mean I have long 3 meter long ones going across almost whole wall and in every room. I am terrified to do the undercut as is so many cracks . Is that the only way to fix the problem?
The undercutting is an effective way of dealing with hairline cracks. You could try using the process shown in the video on some of the smaller cracks first. Hopefully the cracks are just from the plaster drying to quickly and they will not return.
Maybe I’m Amazed
All new plaster iv put the first washed coat on leafed it .to dry sand it litley then the second coat .looks beautiful but loads of cracking is starting to appear I just don't understand I done everything right . Very strange
What is the best product to use for hairline cracks?
thank you😊
You're welcome 😊
Hi thanks for the video. I'm in process of doing same at the mint. I have used filler but can still visibly see the crack and haven't even sanded it down yet. Is it ok to proceed or shall I sand it down and re apply filler again and much thicker coat this time?
Many thanks
Hi, the filler may have shrunk back into the crack leaving a slight dip. This can happen. I would suggest you rub the filler down until it is flat with the wall. Apply more filler, let it dry and rub down flat again. Hopefully all will be well after that.
@@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating thank you no rush in this lockdown. 🙏
Great video, thanks. what filler did you use. I undercut as you demonstrated but cracks returned...
Hi Matt, I used Polyfilla (Interior Easy Sand). Good luck with your project.
Matt I’ve found a very narrow bead of decorators caulk inserted into the crack first always works for me! Then you can fill over with powder filler. Because the caulk is flexible it allows for some movement without cracking out again.
@@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating use easi fill
Hi Aubrey any chance of doing video of preparation before decorating a room.
Hi Barry, yes I will be doing some videos on preparation and dealing with defects in the future 😊
Nicely done👍👍 and I wanted to ask,have you ever used a good quality paintable caulking to repair cracks?
Thank you Jay. Most of the caulks you can buy work Ok, however, make sure you leave them plenty of time to fully dry before painting. Most of them say you can overpaint after an hour but if you do this the applied paint will more often than not crack. If possible leave overnight to dry. I hope to do a video on this subject sometime in the future.
@@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating okay that confirms what I had thought and done in the past,.. and I'd be looking forward to your video on this 👍 thanks for the reply!
Hi thats a brilliant tip thankyou buddy.....will be doing this soon 😊🌈
Glad you found it helpful Andrew. Hope all goes well with the decorating 😊
Thanks buddy the hairline crack has eluded me for years so that technique makes total sense once you demonstrated it....well done indeed and thankyou! Andrew 😊🌈...new fan for sure and also very nicely explained too for the home DIY.
Thanks for the informative video! Off I go ! 🍻🇨🇦
Great video ive just had some appear on plaster board would the same process apply ?
If it is on the joints of the plasterboard you will need to use some self adhesive fiberglass mesh tape under the filler. I have not made a video on this process yet but there are others on TH-cam.
@@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating thanks for the reply it was just a few hairline cracks but I've used the system you said and left it overnight just another quick question if I had the same problem with hairline cracks on the cieling would u do the same process ?
Yes, use the same process. If the crack is larger when you have undercut it with the scraper, then wet it first with a paint brush and water before applying the filler. This will help the filler to adhere better . Hope all goes well for you.
Would you recommend using a diluted PVA on the filler prior to painting.
Hi, you could do that but normally all that is required is a thinned down coat of matt emulsion as a first coat approx. 20% water. Hope all goes well for you.
As a filler do you ever use "painters mate"? I'm mostly DIY decorating and find it easy as it's ready mixed, rarely goes off and is clean and easy to use. I still push it deep into the crack with a knife.
Hi, yes I do sometimes use ready mixed fillers, particularly when I find I have missed a couple of holes after doing the prep work. Many of them are pretty good and I can see why they are popular with the DIY market 😊
Hi , great vid! What kind of smooth over do you recommend to use for a large ceiling hairline crack?
Hi, what do you mean by smooth over please?
Like the paste you use to fill in the crack :)
I normally use a powder based filler like Polyfilla. I have a video showing how to mix it. Another product that is popular for this is lightweight ready mixed filler. It comes in a tub and most DIY stores including Screwfix sell it. I hope all goes well with the decorating Female Narrator😊
Great! Thank you for you help!!
How hard is it to fill a small crack
Very helpful. Is it necessary to add scrip tape? Also, when u say add emulsion before painting, is this the same as primer?
Hi, for small hairline cracks it is not usually necessary to use scrim tape. Thin some emulsion with about 20% water and apply it over the filler after you have rubbed it down. Then paint the wall or ceiling as usual. Thinning the paint ensures that it fully adheres to the surface. I hope that helps.
@@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating Thanks, but what is the emulsion? Is it primer, thinned paint, or something else.
Hi Terry, I applied a coat of matt emulsion thinned about 20%with water over the filler followed by 2 further coats of the matt emulsion.
Would it be a good idea to put thinned PVA in before, to add more of a thorough seal? (Ive seen people do this with large cracks)
Hi Oliver, the process shown here is for small hairline cracks. For larger, deeper cracks using the PVA is a good idea as this prevents the moisture in the filler being drawn into the substrate which could caused the filler to crack and loose adhesion. I will be doing more video`s on dealing with various defects in the future 😊
@@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating thanks for the quick reply! That would be really appreciated
thanks for the video... before I dive in, what's your view on re-painting? obviously using same putty colour as existing wall, but is filling and repainting always going to be obvious. i.e. don't want to redecorate whole wall for a single crack. CHeers
Hi Sean, as long as the wall has been painted with vinyl matt emulsion or similar matt finish and you are using the same colour it should be ok. After filling and sanding down the filler, apply two or three coats of the emulsion thinned down with water. Apply the paint over the filler and brush away from the edges to blur out the paint. If the wall has been painted with silk or soft sheen it will show up so you would have to paint the whole wall. Hope all goes well for you 😊
@@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating thanks a Million for taking time to reply. That’s just great
Thank, I never seem to sort out these annoying cracks, never thought the solution would be so simple, and just in time as my wife has issued a supreme command to have more decorating done!
Hope all goes well for you Craig 😊
Is there no end to Paul McCartney's talents?
LMAO
What filler do you use, looks great!
I normally use a powder based filler like Polyfilla. You could also try a ready mixed lightweight filler that comes in a small plastic tub as many decorators get good results with this. Most DIY shops sell this including Screwfix. Hope all goes well with the decorating 😊
It does not make it impossible for the filler to come out of the crack, it jut gives it a larger bonding surface, if the crack is there (movement or settling crack) the movement can pop the filler out again, till full settling occurs
Talking out your asshole pal
@@mrbachittarsingh9243 not if he’s filled that crack.
What Carl says is true.
@@mrbachittarsingh9243 wow and there’s my multi award winning company knowledge put to bed by an well verse individual 🤪🤪🤪
A can opener works great to open up the crack. I use one all the time.
My circular one doesn’t seem to work . 🙃
@@MartTLS
😆 🤣 😂
The opposite end of a bottle opener. Remember oil cans you opened with a puncture spout.
@@michaelprosperity3420
Sorry I was being facetious.🤗
@@MartTLS
I know. That was funny. A good ribbing is good for the soul.
@@michaelprosperity3420
👍
Will this technique work on a horizontal surface like a ceiling?
Hi, yes it is suitable for ceilings. Hope all goes well with your decorating.
@@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating Thanks!
What filler is best used please, or can you use jointing and filling ready mixed compound also.
A powder based filler is best as it can be rubbed down and painted to leave an invisible repair. Most ready mixed fillers will also be okay but decorators caulk cannot be rubbed down with an abrasive. Hope all goes well with your decorating Jason 😊
@@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating thanks, i noticed other videos they put like mesh tape over crack then compound, is it gauranteed the crack wont come back just by getting filler in the gap once widened and painted over. Thanks again
This process works well for hairline cracks. For bigger cracks it may be necessary to use the tape.
does this work the same on the ceiling or is there a different technique for the ceiling? thank you!
This technique works on walls and ceilings for hairline cracks. If the crack is along the join in the plaster board it may need to be first taped using a self adhesive fiberglass mesh tape. I will be making a video on this in the future.
@@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating THANK YOU!!!
What putty material are you using to fix the cracks with? Would that be spackle or painter's putty?
Spackle should be fine, I was using powder based filler, Pollyfilla.
I’ve just had my bedroom newly plastered and I’m getting quite a few of these in bare wall (not next to the door or window). The ones in my room also go across horizontally and are 2 or 3 meters.
Why does this happen? Is it because of bad plastering? Bad painting?
Hi, without seeing the surface before it was re-plastered it is hard to give a definite reason for the hairline cracks appearing. However this is not unusual. Hopefully if you treat the cracks as shown in the video then all will be well. If they do come back it could be due to an untapped crack along the plasterboard joint at this point. Fingers crossed all will be ok.
@@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating cheers, will give it a go.
Hi. Do you do the same for hairline cracks on ceilings also?? Thanks
Hi Alan, yes the same process is used on both ceilings and walls. Just make sure that you rub the filler down well when it is dry so that you do not leave a visible ridge. It is also a good idea to apply a thin coat of emulsion over the filler before painting the rest of the ceiling.
Aubrey's Absolute Decorating Thank you. I think it’s due to movement on the joists. I filled it in before and now it’s back again!!
Hopefully the undercutting process should work. Fingers crossed. If it does crack again you may need to apply self adhesive scrim tape and fill over it. I am hoping to do a video showing this process in the future.
Aubrey's Absolute Decorating Thank you. Look forward to seeing that and also repairing cracks/plaster on internal angles please too
Les Battersby doing well for himself
At last - a decorating how-to without a loud unnecessary soundtrack to annoy me. Well done Aubrey. Short and to the point.
Thank you (with no music) 😊
Cracks are fickle things! We had a crack in plasterboard above a radiator. Kept opening up for years. I bought some repair tape that I used to bridge it, filled and sanded it. Job done. Then the crack decided it would go the other way and it has now bubbled the tape out!
Paint it with 2 coats of sandtex smooth masonry paint give it a go
When l have done this the filler shrinks do you recommend a particular one ?
This often happens with cracks which are larger than the one shown in the video. Using a paint brush apply water to the crack immediately before applying the filler. This prevents the moisture from the filler absorbing to quickly into the dry plaster which causes it to shrink. I hope that helps. I use the normal Polyfilla, however easy fill is another popular powder based filler with painters and decorators.
Beware a lot of the light weight fillers will 'flash' when you just emulsion over the top. A coat of acrylic primer/undercoat over the filler stops this.
Any tips on filling a crack running down a join in two walls ?
This would be best done using flexible, self adhesive fiberglass mesh tape and applying filler over it. I will be doing a video on this process sometime in the future. If you look up taping and jointing on TH-cam there should be some video`s available. Hope all goes well for you.
I would like to order some for a few hairline cracks on our ceiling, but does this product work well on drywall?
It is suitable for dents etc. in drywall but is not suitable for fixing splits between the joints of the boards. These will need to be taped and filled over with a suitable jointing compound.
@@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating Thankyou for taking the time to answer my question! Your videos are very helpful.
That is good to know, hope all goes well with the decorating 😊
What if you have wallpaper?
Do you know what works good to open the cracks? An old fashion church-key ie a beer opener from the 60's before pull tabs lol- showing my age
I notice today line on my celling above my door in my bedroom what causing it how can I stop it is it dangerous or not
What filler to use though?
Nearly all the TH-cam tutorials I've watched suggest making the crack wider than you have, up to a cm wide in some cases; any thoughts?
For small/hairline cracks, the process shown in the video usually achieves a good repair. For larger cracks with loose material it may be necessary to widen the crack much further to achieve suitable adhesion with the applied filler. It is also a good idea to apply water tto the crack with a brush before applying the filler to prevent the filler from flash drying and cracking.
What if whole wall has hairline cracks seen only if you come close to the wall. Do you also need to scrape each? Or would it be more reasonable to sand everything down and then use plaster?
Also how do you make corners to look straight and even?
I would suggest filling in any larger hairline cracks as shown in the video and then apply 1000 grade lining paper over the wall to provide a flat surface. There is a video showing how to apply lining paper on my channel. When I get the opportunity I will make a video on making good corners.
@@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating what about small cracks that are only visible close to the wall? Do I just paint over?
when I painted over a newly filled crack with the same white Dulux paint as I used on the rest of the wall, the colour was very different and the polyfilla showed through. It's been around a year and the cracks is still a different colour. Do you have any tips on how to make the filled crack blend in?
What type of finish was the white paint, matt, silk or something else.
@@AubreysAbsoluteDecorating it was Dulux Easy care washable and tough Matt emulsion in Timeless . Thanks for the reply
These paints are very good and contain many additives to give them extra performance. They are quite thick and when trying to touch in can leave a visible outline. I would suggest thinning down a small quantity of the paint with water so that it is quite runny. Apply one or two coats and try to blur out the edges with the brush.
That sounds like an idea that might work. Thanks a lot Aubrey for the tip! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Brilliant but what filler do you use?
Hi, I was using a normal powder based filler (Polyfilla). If it is a large crack I normally brush some water into the crack before filling as this will prevent the filler from loosing adhesion.
Can you do a video on how you touch up matt emulsion please?
Hi Hayley, if you look at my video on how to fill holes in plasterboard I show how to do this at the end of the video, hope it helps 😊
Hate the rubbing scratching noise lol what filler did you use ? Need s white filler
Lol I had to mute it for a minute
Use a Hoover while sanding or drilling stuff and there will be no dust, prevention is better than cure