why have cracks appeared?

[encourage]

Hi,

I've recently moved into a new house. The plaster where it joins the skirting board is cracking away and has been noticably increasing in speed during the last few months since we've moved in. Why is this? Is it just our extra 'family' use, bad plastering, general wear and tear or structural fault with the stairs?

Appreciate any advice...

Andy

 

[mildmanneredjanitor]

Welcome!

Andy, when you say 'new' house, do you mean 'brand new' or new to you?

Brand new homes, take a little while to settle down and dry out (built too quick and inhabited too soon - IMHO)

If this is the case, then just make a 'snagging list' and present it to the developer. This is quite a normal process.

If the house is 'new' to you, has the area been recently decorated? If so, then may have tarted up to cover such areas and you are now subsequently seeing the results!

Or possibly (without trying to be rude or offensive) maybe you are heavier footed than the previous occupier and subsequently this is why problems are only just showing. Also, you may have the heating set to a higher level. Could be lots of things.

Probably, nothing more than a cosmetic nuisance than a serious problem, so don't lose any sleep!

Did you have a survey?

 

[coggy]

Hi

If its just on the join between plaster and skirting, don't worry, if the skirtings are painted then you can just run a bead of chaulk or decorators filler (same thing) using a mastc gun. Squueze the gun gently and move a long the gap slowly then just wet your finger and rub a long the line of filler and wipe the rest off with a wet rag

Will look as good as new

Hope this helps
Coggy