Repair Large Plaster Cracks and Chips

In years past, when a crack started in a wall or ceiling, there wasn’t much you could do to stop it. But now, there’s a device called a plaster washer that stops cracks from spreading.

Plaster washers look like thin metal buttons and use five-eighths-inch drywall screws to join cracked areas and anchor them to wood laths or to joists and wall studs. They can be used to reattach lath to studs or joists and to reinforce strong plaster while repairing or removing other areas.

To determine whether you can use them, knock on the damaged area with a knuckle. If it sounds hollow, the plaster probably is too loose to support repairs and will need to be replaced with new plaster or drywall.

If you hear a solid thump, the plaster should be stable enough for the wall washers to do their job. Just drive them in wherever cracks meet until they reach the lath or a stud.

After installing the washers, widen and undercut all the cracks with a utility knife. Then vacuum debris and cover both the crevices and the washers with joint compound, using a three-inch wide putty knife.

Let it dry for a day. Then, tape over the compound with fiberglass tape. Follow with one or two coats of joint compound, feathering it out with a trowel.

If one of your walls is covered with chipped and flaked paint or wallpaper, there’s an easy way to restore the finish of the wall. A new canvas lining has been developed which can hide imperfections and even out the texture.

Use a putty knife to fill holes with joint compound and sand until smooth. Then apply the special paint or coating recommended by the lining manufacturer. Work one area at a time so it doesn’t dry before you apply the lining. Roll on the lining and finish with another coat of paint. When the second coat has dried, you’ll have a smooth surface to paint or wallpaper.