Hairline plaster crack

[alba2]

The property is 120 years old with lathe and plaster walls.
The walls were skimmed over 5 years ago, and lasted well without cracks.
Now there is a 3 foot long hairline crack above the radiator.
I raked it out and filled with Polyfilla, then emulsioned the whole wall. The crack returned immediately. Perhaps I should not have switched on the radiator so soon after filling and painting.

I am thinking of chiseling out a shallow one inch wide grove along the crack then cutting some mesh tape to size or masking tape, and putting this in the groove before smoothing over with Polyfilla. I am a fan of Polyfilla and it usually handles cracks, but not this time.

Should this work? Can you suggest anything better?

The house is for sale and I don't want any recriminations from the buyer.

The surveyor did not notice because when the radiator is on the heat closes the crack.

 

[HERTS P&D]

The house is 120 years old, the surveyor did not notice, not your problem.

Have a good house move.

Andy

 

[joe-90]

It's nobody's problem - it's just a decorating issue.

 

[alba2]

Thanks to you both.

I am a worrier, and I don't like the thought of the new owner being unhappy about things and having a moan.

On this occasion given your comments I may just leave it.

However, out of interest and just in case I revert to type, do you think my idea would work?

 

[joe-90]

It would but can you do it seamlessly? You'd prolly have to paint the whole room.