Cracks under wallpaper

[Daisy1996]

sorry I know this photo is awful. I’ve noticed this crack under some wallpaper in an upstairs bedroom. I’ve read step cracking is a worry. It’s about 10 inches from the top of the wall and to the right is a window. The plaster to the right does sound very hollow if you tap it. House is 1960s and I think it’s still original plaster. This is an end wall that does get a fair bit of sun. I’ve peeled back the wallpaper a little and can see a tiny crack but it does stick out a bit. I can’t see a cracks in the wall outside.

 

[blup]

You could remove the wallpaper and inspect and keep under review any crack, but it’s difficult to tell if that brick has been disturbed or it’s just movement of the plaster.

 

[Daisy1996]

If it was brick movement would we see it in other areas around that brick?

 

[Daisy1996]

I’ve pulled the wallpaper back a little and this is underneath

 

[foxhole]

So what’s the question?

 

[Stivino]

It looks as if somebody has just papered over the cracks.

 

[Daisy1996]

I was concerned that maybe the brick had shifted for some reason and that’s what had caused the cracks/ brick outline to show. Husband has pointed out that it looks like the crack underneath the paper has been painted so it’s probably been there long before we moved in. Do you think these are normal cracks for an older building?

 

[opps]

I was concerned that maybe the brick had shifted for some reason and that’s what had caused the cracks/ brick outline to show. Husband has pointed out that it looks like the crack underneath the paper has been painted so it’s probably been there long before we moved in. Do you think these are normal cracks for an older building?

Yeah, it is quite common in older buildings.

(I am a decorator).

If the wall is 9" thick, and there are no visible cracks outside (in the bricks and mortar), I really wouldn't be concerned.

If you want, I can offer advice but I am on pint 4.5.6 and need to be up early

 

[foxhole]

I was concerned that maybe the brick had shifted for some reason and that’s what had caused the cracks/ brick outline to show. Husband has pointed out that it looks like the crack underneath the paper has been painted so it’s probably been there long before we moved in. Do you think these are normal cracks for an older building?

Yes

 

[blup]

I’ve pulled the wallpaper back a little and this is underneath

That looks consistent with the state of plaster in an older building. I would say nothing to be concerned about other than appearance. You could remove the paper and get the walls professionally skimmed if the room is needed for a future occupant!.

 

[Daisy1996]

Thank you for your replies. Sorry, I’ve no idea with things like this and made the mistake of looking up stepped cracks on google which is very worrying.

Blup thank you this is my daughter’s room so when I read about walls possibly moving I’ve hit panic mode. Things are a bit manic with planning future occupants arrival so I think if I mentioned a project to my husband I can imagine his answer!

Opps thank you I hope you enjoyed pint 4.5.6. Hopefully today is much cooler!

 

[opps]

Take more of the paper off. Then push against either side of the crack, if you cannot see any movement, it will probably be fine to just fill over it.

If there is any movement, I would enlarge the gap slightly, brush in PVA (it can help lock small sections of plaster in place), then fill with Toupret Flex and Fill. It is like a caulk with tiny fibres in it. It will shrink back slightly so go for a flush fill. The next day fill over the crack with a lightweight filler such as Toupret RedLite or RedDevil OneTime and sand with 120-180 grit paper. The dust does not become statically charged and cling to everything.

If there is a noticeable step, you may need to sand the crack first to level it- ideally use a DA sander connected to a dust extractor (read: vacuum cleaner).

 

[Daisy1996]

Thank you, I will definitely pass this info on to my husband when we arrange to do it. Do you think it could be a wall tie failure? Just learning this is a thing for this age of house

 

[blup]

Thank you, I will definitely pass this info on to my husband when we arrange to do it. Do you think it could be a wall tie failure? Just learning this is a thing for this age of house

Not if it’s a solid wall. You can tell by looking at the outside brickwork, if it’s all “stretchers” it will be a cavity wall. If the bricks are alternating headers and stretchers it will be solid. A failed tie shouldn’t cause the inner skin to bulge because it’s tied in to inner structure, the floors etc. You can chop off the plaster around the brick to check the state of the bricks if circumstances permit.

 

[Daisy1996]

It’s definitely a cavity wall as there’s marks on the wall where the cavity insulation was added. Do you think I’m barking up the wrong tree completely worrying over this?