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How to fix cracks in walls

Your step-by-step guide. - by Adam Dovile
  • 02 Jul 2021

As a building settles, cracks appear around the corners of windows and doors, since they are the weakest part of a wall. While they're nothing to worry about, they are unsightly and a look your home can do without.

WATCH: Adam repairs a crack in the wall

Gather your supplies

  • All-purpose plaster compound
  • Self-adhesive easy tape
  • Undercoat
  • Interior paint to match your wall

You'll also need

  • Sharp utility knife
  • Broad scraper
  • Fine sandpaper
  • Sanding block
  • Vacuum
  • Paint roller
Crack in wall

Before, an unsightly crack

Greg Fahey
Crack repaired

Crack? What crack? Once the paint dries, you wouldn't know it had even existed!

Greg Fahey

Here's how

Step 1

Cut out plasterboard around crack

Using a sharp utility knife, cut out plasterboard on either side of wall crack to create a thin, V-shaped groove centred on the crack. Remove any loose paint or plaster.

Step 2

Fill crack with plaster compound

Using a broad scraper, fill crack with plaster compound, then cover crack with self-adhesive easy tape. Apply another thin skim coat of plaster compound to bed tape in and leave to dry.

Step 3

Apply skim coat of plaster compound about 100mm either side of crack and over tape. Feather edges to wall. Leave to dry.

Step 4

Sand plaster

Sand plaster compound to make smooth, so edges blend with wall. Vacuum to remove dust.

Step 5

Apply undercoat

Using a paint roller, apply undercoat to plaster and surrounding wall and allow to dry. 

Step 6

Apply wall paint

Using a roller, apply 2 coats of matching wall paint over undercoat. Allow to dry after each coat.

DIY tip

After sanding, run your fingers over the finished job to check for lumps or bumps, as they are move sensitive than your eyes.

You might also like:

How to fix cornices

How to fix a sliding door

How to find a stud in the wall

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Adam Dovile
Adam Dovile
You still can’t wipe the smile from the affable chippie who won season 2 of House Rules with his wife Lisa in 2014. They then got married in May 2015, and moved from Melbourne to Sydney to join the Better Homes and Gardens team as their resident builder, it’s fair to say that Adam’s grin isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

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