Plastering

[Albert]

Hi,
An extension was added to my house. Now about 2 years later, we can see cracks all over (which I presume is normal). Here are my questions:
1) Is it normal that in couple of places the coving is cracked as well? The coving is made of a kind of MDF.
2) The cracks are very narrow and more or less straight, I would think that this means that it is the plaster only that is cracked and not the brick work?
3) Do I need to make the cracks a bit wider so it can be repaired properly?
4) As I am not a constructor, I do not need a big amount of material (meaning that the price is not so critical), what would be the best/easiest to use to repair these cracks?
5) The skirting boards in some places are not flush with the wall. Same with some doorframes. Can I use the same material to fill in the gaps?
6) Any tips?
Thanks

 

[mildmanneredjanitor]

Hi Albert,

for the cracks in the wall and coving - yes, use a screwdriver blade to enlarge the cracks slightly so they are deep enough to fill with polyfilla. DO NOT use ready mixed. It is CRubbish! It turns very hard and cannot be sanded satisfactorarly. Use the powdered stuff, leave overnight and sand with 100 grit glass paper and a block (or hand if confident).

For the gaps between skirting (or architrave) and wall, use a decorators caulk (using a applicator gun).

Buy from a builders type merchant, and will be very cheap (£2 a tube and better quality).

As soon as you have run a 'bead' of caulk along the gap (do not use too much) wet your finger and run this along to force into the crack and form a nice even and smooth finish.

Good luck!

 

[Albert]

Hi Albert,

for the cracks in the wall and coving - yes, use a screwdriver blade to enlarge the cracks slightly so they are deep enough to fill with polyfilla. DO NOT use ready mixed. It is CRubbish! It turns very hard and cannot...

Many thanks, I hope that this will take my wife off my back...

 

[Albert]

If a man is alone in the woods and no woman is there to hear him, is he still wrong?

as a return for your advice I will tell you: from experience the answer to your question is a big YES
Any other questions...?