hairline cracks in plaster walls..how to fix

[steveo3002]

had some walls plastered following a rewire job about 10-12 years ago , soon after then we got the odd hairline crack appear . i think last time i asked i was told to force some emulsion in them , but within 18 months theyre back

they really are just hairlines..should i scrape out a V shape and fill them or what

[rsv gone!]

You need to reinforce the repair - with skrim tape or similar - or they'll always come back.

[B17NNS]

Assuming a solid wall and not PB, tap the wall in the damaged area with a knuckle. Sound hollow?

[Silver993tt]

PVA

[steveo3002]

its a solid brick wall ...sounds right when you tap it , not hollow

whats the fix with pva?

[Silver993tt]

steveo3002 said:

its a solid brick wall ...sounds right when you tap it , not hollow

whats the fix with pva?

it's good for filling in hairline cracks in plaster/plasterboard. When I've moved halogens and filled the old holes, I've always given the surface (inc any tiny holes/cracks a coat of PVA. Painted afterwards and lasted for years.

[steveo3002]

so jsut wipe some pva in the crack and wipe off the excess?

[Silver993tt]

steveo3002 said:

so jsut wipe some pva in the crack and wipe off the excess?

yes, force it in with a cloth, wipe away, let dry and then paint it

[B17NNS]

Never heard of the PVA thing.

If the wall is sound I'd personally rake the crack out, smear of filler and sand.

Another alternative would be same method as PVA but use caulk which remains ever so slightly flexible when dry.