Plaster ceilings and walls can become damaged after many years of neglect. If you listen carefully to your plaster, it can reveal a lot about the problems that are developing in your home.
Cracked Plaster
It’s the most common problem that people have with old plaster walls. Cracks in plaster are not necessarily a sign of trouble. Cracks in plaster can be a warning, but they can also just be wrinkles that develop with age.
Hairline Cracks
The cracks in these are so small that you could barely fit a nail into them. These are the least dangerous of all cracks. They can run horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
Degrading Cracks
These are cracks that occur when plaster pulls away from lath. They can appear on ceilings as well as walls but are most dangerous when they occur on ceilings. If plaster starts to pull away, it could fall off the wall and cause a crash. Cracks are often parallel to the lath. They run horizontally on walls, and lengthwise on ceilings. If you see cracks or bulges on your ceiling, it is likely that the plaster has pulled away from the lath.
Settlement Cracks
When a section of your house is sagging you might find that converging cracks run across the plaster wall. You’ll need to fill in these cracks but you should also address any foundation issues first. A cluster of cracks that are pointing in the same direction is often a sign of settlement. Call a professional if you notice this type of crack. This is especially true if the cracks are growing and new.
Discoloured Plaster
Here are the first signs of plaster damage. Water stains in brown will appear soon after the leak has started. It is easy to remove them with a stain-blocking primer. However, this will not solve the problem of water. Find the leak, and fix it before things worsen. Don’t delay.
Bubbling Plaster
The plaster will start to bubble and bulge once the water damage is severe. If you reach this stage, even if there are no visible water stains, then a section of plaster will need to be patched. For help with Plasterers Cheltenham, visit pureplasterers.co.uk
You run the risk that mould will develop in the area if you don’t repair the leak as soon as possible. Finding the source of the leak and doing everything possible to stop it are the first steps.
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