Plaster Crack Repair

You should not just skim coat over plaster cracks because cracks can telegraph back through if the plaster is loose, moving, or failed underneath. A skim coat smooths the face but does not repair the crack's cause.

Douglas first looks at whether the crack is isolated or part of a wider plaster problem. The crack may need to be opened, filled, reinforced, and blended before any broader surface smoothing is considered.

Related work: Plaster Repair, Plaster Wall Repair, Plaster Ceiling Repair.

A crack in old plaster is repaired by assessing whether the plaster is sound, opening or cleaning the crack as needed, reinforcing or filling it, and finishing it to match the surrounding surface. Texture matching matters because old plaster rarely looks like new drywall.

If cracks run across a whole ceiling or return after earlier repairs, individual crack repair may not be the best answer. Douglas may discuss lamination or replacement when the surrounding plaster is failing.

Related reading: Drywall Installation in Summit: Replacing Plaster While at Home, Plaster Repair in Short Hills: Repair, Overlay or Replace?.

Lamination is better than crack repair when cracks are widespread, recurring, or part of a failing plaster ceiling or wall that is suitable to cover. It creates a new sheetrock surface instead of chasing each crack separately.

Douglas explains when that broader route is being recommended. A few isolated plaster cracks may be repaired, but a ceiling full of moving cracks may need a new finish plane to produce a reliable result.