Okay, I need some advice on repairing cracks in old horse hair plaster on an 80 year old bungelow. I have a number of cracks (some deep and some not so deep) in the horse hair plaster of my walls and ceilings. How do I repair them? Is it possible to repair them? I think the previous owner simply painted over them. We’ve had some for a while, others appeared after a recent reroof job. Any suggestions very appreciated. I was looking for a winter project and now I certainly have one.
Joe Boston, MA
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Big cracks? small crack's? many crack's? loose plaster? Picture's?
YCF
YCF and Jer,
The cracks are hairline cracks or a little wider - no loose or falling plaster. The cracks are NOT wide enough to put in a dime or penny. Can I get away without putting on mesh or paper when I fill it? I don't have any pictures - I'm not in the digital age yet! The plaster on the walls is smooth. The ceilings have been painted with that "popcorn" effect - so I will have to reproduce that too. So is there hope that I can repair for good?
"The cracks are hairline cracks or a little wider - no loose or falling plaster. The cracks are NOT wide enough to put in a dime or penny."
Unless you open up the cracks a bit by digging them out, there is little chance your repair will last. Since it is not practical to use tape with popcorn, you might consider filling the crack with flexible latex caulk. Dig it out so cracks are 1/8 to 1/4 wide, fill with caulk. After caulk sets up, replicate popcorn over it.
Does the plaster have the traditional smooth white coat? When you say horse hair, that seems to suggest that it has a rougher finish. Different ways to repair for different finishes. If the plaster is smooth, just dig out the crack carefully and undercut the crack so the plaster will have a key to hold it in place, a 'five in one' tool is good for this. Vac out all sand and dust, spray with a water mister, then fill with a setting type plaster such as durabond or plaster of paris, making sure patch is cut off flush. Next apply fibermesh tape over crack and feather out with joint compound. If the crack is no more than say 1/8" wide or so just to the taping and compound it.
""Unless you open up the cracks a bit by digging them out, there is little chance your repair will last. Since it is not practical to use tape with popcorn, you might consider filling the crack with flexible latex caulk. Dig it out so cracks are 1/8 to 1/4 wide, fill with caulk. After caulk sets up, replicate popcorn over it"""
the only way to repair the hail line crack's on plaster.
That was eZ. And you can even apply joint compound in top of the latex caulking for the smooth areas.
YCF Dino
I've never done the caulk repair thing, but what works for me is to dig out the crack down to the lath, then coat all surfaces with a bonding agent like PlasterWeld, then fill with plaster (which really should be mixed with a solution of water and bonding agent), then top with joint compound. I've filled a lot of cracks this way, and they stayed filled. Every time I try and take a shortcut by leaving out the digging and bonding agent I end up with another crack eventually.
Hope this helps. Rich.
Regardless of what method you use to repair the cracks, the tricky part will be to duplicate the popcorn. But it may not be popcorn, but knock down or orange peel instead.
Home Depot sells several types of "texture" in aerosol cans. The cans' labels have photos of the different texture types (including popcorn) so you can determine which one to buy. Just follow their instructions.
Incidentally, popcorn is available in small, medium and large.
BTW, is used to buy and use what's called wood fiber plaster that had fibers looking like hairs for major repairs in walls such as those you describe. I then skim coated them with drywall compound.
Joe,
Rather than trying to match the popcorn ceiling it may be a good time to strip all the popcorn off and go back to the original ceiling. Popcorn was not used in the 20's. Odds are it was popcorned to cover the unsightly repairers made to it. So if you are doing repairs any way this is your chance to correct it. I have had good success with misting the popcorn with a spray bottle, letting it soak in for a minute and then scrapping if off. I guess it all depends on the type of paint on it, if any. We have an older home also and I agree with the others to do it right and not have to worry about it again.
Have fun
Clem