Diesel
05 September 2003, 17:05
Redecorated the living room some 4 months ago – long cracks now appearing by front window’s years old plasterwork... In fact even a joint on the curved bay window sill has moved and cracked a bit.
Is this a product of everything contracting after our long hot spell? Anyone else got this – its’ in other rooms of mine too too and looks nasty!
D
RON
05 September 2003, 23:16
Have you recently had the cavity's filled??
happened when we had ours done, I wish we never had now!
stevebt
06 September 2003, 00:02
replasted all my house and there is cracks all over the place:( that is the character of an old house;) can get rid of but its hard work:(id suggest not worrying about tnem as they'll only get worse;)
Diesel
06 September 2003, 08:10
No cavity insulation...
Stece it is norma for NEW plaster to crack, but this plaster is years old. I am still scared of subsidence or something...
IWatkins
06 September 2003, 15:03
Diesel
Is it an old house ?
We don't worry about ours (1900s), we just wait until the cracks get a little bigger and either fill them or use Base Coat paint to fill the cracks.
Cheers
Ian
Diesel
07 September 2003, 14:26
Ian - yes its 1926. Really solidly built too. There's deffo some movement going on as the back door jams now - on the top surface. I just dont know how concerned I should be...
IWatkins
07 September 2003, 18:37
Well, we had the same this year. Mainly small cracks in modern plaster and also front door isn't quite as slick closing as it has been.
This is the first year it has been especially bad so we are putting it down to the very dry weather causing the ground to be hard and contracted.
We can see it on our block paving driveway where the gaps between them have opened up a bit in places over the summer.
I guess once there has been rain for a bit this will mean the soil will swell up a bit.
Of course, if you are really worried or can see any cracks in the exterior brick work that weren't there before, then get a qualified person in to take a look.
Cheers
Ian
Diesel
08 September 2003, 11:42
I feel better now - sounds to me like you are on clay soil too - whereabouts mate?
IWatkins
08 September 2003, 12:23
Yep, soil is almost pure clay after a foot or so down. I'm up in Worcestershire near Malvern.
Cheers
Ian
stevebt
08 September 2003, 23:36
cracking in the plaster of an old house is normal and nothing to do with subsidence;) my house is from the 30's hacked of and renewed the plaster on most but would you beleive the one's i never are the ones which are cracking:(its nothing major and wont be a problem as long as the plaster is not about to fall off:D