Render cracks - fill or re-render?

[skidemon1]

Hi, I'm after a bit of advice. The external render is now about 6 years old and has some cracks in it, I guess they are just drying or settlement. Some are hairline although others are a couple of mm wide and look a bit deeper.

The outside of the building is going to be painted and I've had some conflicting advice about what to do with the render cracks.

I've had two decorators round and they've both said they would fill it (with caulk or similar) and paint over it. A plasterer has also been round and said that it would need to be re-rendered.

Is the plasterer being overly cautious and just trying to get more work or will it be acceptable to go with the decorators advice???

Hope you guys can help, cheers.

 

[wozza56]

If the render is sound then just filling the cracks should be ok ,give it a hard tap with your knuckles and see if it sounds hollow ,if it does then its best to get it all off and start again

And you will know by the sound if its hollow because you can definatley tell the difference between good and bad

 

[external]

hammer test it mate,get a claw hammer and put the nose on the wall,now move the hammer across the wall in a circular motion keeping it prest against the wall,listen and you will hear when its hollow,same as wozza but a bit quicker,then you can see how bad it is and decide for yourself

 

[NickB_99]

Hi, I'm after a bit of advice. The external render is now about 6 years old and has some cracks in it...

I've had two decorators round and they've both said they would fill it (with caulk or similar) and paint over it.

Is decorator's caulk waterproof and/or suitable for external use?

I had always thought it was for internal use - gap filling (skirting boards, architraves etc).

 

[roughcaster]

Hi, I'm after a bit of advice. The external render is now about 6 years old and has some cracks in it...

I've had two decorators round and they've both said they would fill it (with caulk or similar) and paint over it.

Is decorator's caulk waterproof and/or suitable for external use?

I had always thought it was for internal use - gap filling (skirting boards, architraves etc).

Good point mucca,,,,, i read the post but never thought of that!! I don't know if you can get an external caulk,, we'll soon find out though.

 

[Alastairreid]

Is decorator's caulk waterproof and/or suitable for external use?
.

http://www.icipaints.co.uk/products/info/polycell_trade_polyfilla_decorators_caulk.jsp