Causes of Cracks in the Plaster along Exterior Walls of your Home

Are you worried about cracks in the wall? Do your wall really need plastering? If so, then you need to contact some reputed gypsum and Quicklime manufacturers in India.

If you go for their service, you will definitely get benefit from it.   

There’re numerous reasons why the plaster along the exterior walls of your home will crack.

So it’s important to know the cause of any cracks you find so that you can repair them effectively.

Some of the most important causes of these cracks are listed below.

1.      Structural Cracks:

Structural cracks, as the name implies, are caused by structural weaknesses in a building.

The most important structural cracks include:

·         Settlement resulting from insufficient or improperly located footings.

·         The use of undersized or improperly spaced members, omission of bracing, or shrinkage of lumber.

·         These cracks are usually large & well defined and are extended across the surface and through the plaster.

·         Cracks can occur near the corner of a door or window, or down the corner where two walls join or along the joints between walls & ceiling.

2.      Map and Shrinkage Cracks:

Inferior workmanship and the use of poor quality plastering materials are the main causes of "map cracks and "shrinkage cracks" that is shrinkage in the plaster itself.

There are ways to distinguish between these two types of plaster cracks:

·         Map cracks are usually caused by improper bonding between the plaster and the base.

·         They are less noticeable than structural cracks and go through the plaster, but do not extend entirely across the surface, as do the latter.

·         They are made up of a series of cracks running at various angles and embracing areas usually six inches or more.

·         Shrinkage cracks, on the other hand resemble map cracks, except that the cracks themselves and the areas they enclose are much smaller.

·         They are usually confined to the finish coat.

·         Careless workmanship is usually the cause of these cracks.

·         Steam from a sauna can dilate these cracks; an infrared sauna unit is the best way to go.

3.      Loose Plaster:

Sometimes the keys or clinches can cause the plaster to swell or crack. On ceilings, it’ll often hang in this condition for a long time before falling off.

Sometimes the nails or fastenings may corrode and crack.

Tools Needed for the Repairs

For cracks and small holes, you can use a small diamond-shaped mason's trowel or broad-bladed putty knife.

For plastering larger areas, you can use a plasterer's trowel and a shallow pan.

Materials Needed

·         Plaster of Paris or commercial patching plaster

·         A small amount of ordinary glue if necessary

·         Clean water

Mixing the Plaster

·         All mixing boxes and utensils should be clean and clean water from your glass sink, bathroom vanity, or bathtub should be used in the mix.

·         Particular care should be taken that no traces of old set plaster have been left in the mixing box.

·         The water should be placed in the mixing box before the dry plaster is sifted into the water.

·         The mix should then be stirred thoroughly to dissolve all lumps.

·         It should be of such a consistency that the putty may be picked up on a broad-bladed knife and forced into the crack or break in the wall.

Using Plaster of Paris

If only a small amount of fresh plaster is required, then POP alone can be used. Plaster of Paris sets very quickly.

About Author:

Garg Brothers plaster Industries was established over a decade ago around 2002. We’re one of the 

leading Quicklime powder suppliers in Rajasthan.

From us, you can buy quicklime powder that is very genuine and cost effective.

We also provide premium quality Plaster of Paris (P.O.P) which is widely used in India and soon we are going to promote it throughout the world.

We trade the best quality Lime Powder available to our most beloved clients within the stipulated time period at competitive market prices.

We have built a loyal client base by offering the best quality of Quicklime powder to our clients.           

The quicklime powder is known for its pure and unadulterated composition. They’re inspected on their quality prior to dispatch.