Repairing cracks and crevices in the walls of your home can help maintain its appearance and structural integrity. However, it’s essential to understand the difference between a fissure, a crack, and a crevice to determine if you can repair it yourself or if professional attention is required.
- Fissures: Fissures are deeper openings, typically measuring between 1 to 3 centimeters in width. If these fissures do not allow rainwater, wind, or external light to pass through and are not located too close to supporting columns, they are generally considered safe. You can attempt to repair smaller fissures yourself.
- Cracks: Cracks are deeper and wider than fissures, usually exceeding 3 centimeters in width. Repairing large cracks yourself is not recommended, as they could be a symptom of a more serious structural problem that requires professional attention.
If you have a small crack that doesn’t appear to be caused by a structural issue, you can attempt to repair it with the following method:
Materials Needed:
- Rubber gloves
- Protective mask
- Plastic sheet (to protect the floor)
- Sandpaper
- Smooth spatula (plastic or metal)
- Brush
- Wall putty
Repair Process:
- Place a plastic sheet on the floor to protect it from debris and dust.
- Wear rubber gloves and a protective mask to ensure your safety.
- Use the spatula to remove any loose or small pieces inside the crack.
- Employ the brush to eliminate all dust and residues from the crack, ensuring that the area is clean.
- Ensure that the entire work area is dry before proceeding.
- Gradually apply wall putty to the crack, taking care not to spread it onto the surrounding wall.
- Allow the wall putty to dry for 24-48 hours, following the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Once dry, use sandpaper to smooth the repaired area.
- You can then paint the wall with the same color or choose a different one to match your preference.