Hairline cracks in fresh plaster

[TheWife]

How do you stop hairline cracks appearing in freshly plastered walls. I Assume its down to movement but how can this be prevented?

 

[dabaldie]

i'm no plasterer, so i dont recall how to prevent it happening, but the primary cause of these cracks is shrinkage. I think its do do with that plaster drying too quickly.
Hope this helps in the mean time.. but it does seem to be quite common in buildings that i inspect.

 

[TheWife]

weve run decorators caulk down the cracks, put a sealer over it and repainted it.

 

[Mick Leek]

In my experience, this is caused because the plaster is drying out to fast due to high suction. (wall sucking the water out of the new plaster)

Cure, Wet surface thoroughly before applying plaster, or better still, give the wall a coat of watered down PVA before applying the plaster.


Mick

 

[BoDon]

I agree with Mick,
It's a bit late now though, however for future reference, if you are living in the house, turn off your central heating in the room you are plastering, keep it well ventelated if you can and let it dry naturally, your fluctuating central heating, if it comes on and off during the day, will contribute to the cracking.

 

[Mick Leek]

if you are living in the house, turn off your central heating in the room you are plastering, keep it well ventelated if you can and let it dry naturally, your fluctuating central heating, if it comes on and off during the day, will contribute to the cracking.

Very valid point. You would be amazed how many people wack up the heating once the plasterer has gone thinking, " lets get it dry then we can decorate tomorrow"

Then they call the guy back in and end up having a slanging match about who's fault it is