Large Crack (more than an Inch) Exterior Wall

[kavehh]

Hello chaps,
Great to be hear. I've started doing refurb in my flat and thanks to AI/Youtube and forums I'm managing it all so far.
Was wondering if anyone could help me with this issue:

We've got cracks on our exterior wall and smaller cracks elsewhere. I'm intending to do the following, please advise if you think it's the right way or if there's a better way doing it

1) Clean the area with jetwash to get dirt and small particles out
2)Smooth the surface with diamond disc
These 2 steps I'm not sure if it's needed so your help is greatly appreciated:
3)How can I use fiberglass Mesh ? or shall I use metal mesh? someone suggested that to me. He said it'd make it more solid. Is it needed or can I just fill the gap with cement filler

What would be the best compound to use for this job ? Cement filler or should I make my own ? if so, kindly advise the compounds and the ratio.

The wall looks fine on the other side and it's nearly straight so there's no need for any structural work

Thank you ever so much everyone

 

[^woody^]

I would not mess about with it too much - the existing finish is not spectacular and there is a big chance that the wall will continue to move slightly in any case.

Look for trowel mastic, it comes in a tub and is err applied with a trowel. It remains flexible to deal with minor movement, and it can be painted once the surface cures. This will be easy to apply, and less messing about.

Alternatively, if you are intent on render, then use rendering sand (no other type) and cement - 3:1 ratio. Mix in a bit of PVA. Adding mesh will make it a bigger job and so much more obvious once it is all done. It may well hair line crack again afterwards regardless.

 

[kavehh]

Thanks Woody. I'll follow your advise. are you suggesting that to cement filler so it doesn't crack? I asked previous owner and he confirmed the crack hasn't moved or got bigger in years. If that's the case, would you suggest any other compound of more rigidity? It'll be painted over as we are removing part of rendering on the wall but I thought I do the small jobs myself to save some money.

Thanks again

 

[^woody^]

Nothing you do will stop that wall moving so any rigid repair will invariably re-crack to some extent - normally hairline if the cracking is as wide as it will ever be and the wall settled bar for any slight seasonal thermal movement. So it may be best to use a flexible filling material like mastic.

The biggest issue with crack repairs is the end result and being mindful of what patching, filling and covering cracks will look like - often the result looks worse than the crack ever did. So it may be best to just minimise the amount of time and expense and just do the basic work to fill the crack to seal it and then paint to blend it in but not to try and hide it.