As the part of the house that’s supposed to give you a sense of protection, the satisfaction of seeing a flawless wall is enough for anyone to want it perfect forever.
Of course, it’s impossible to keep your walls in perfect condition. Natural environmental factors put constant pressure on our home structures. On top of the concrete material itself not being strong against all elements, these parts of the home will eventually be subjected to wear and tear.
Worry not when small cracks show up on your concrete walls. It is a normal occurrence, especially for old walls. Whether the cracks on your walls are a matter of serious concern depends on the type of crack that has formed.
Hairline Cracks
Hairline cracks are cosmetic cracks that form on the surface of concrete walls, with a size of less than 1 mm wide. These types of cracks are usually not a cause for concern. If you can’t insert the tip of a pencil within the crack, you don’t have to worry about it, besides the crack ruining a perfect look.
What causes these cracks
One reason hairline cracks form on the surface of walls are contraction and expansion from fluctuating temperatures. It’s like how a piece of paper gets creases if your crumple it, or when it gets ripped if you pull it apart.
In similar logic, moisture and humidity also strain concrete walls by causing it to contract which can cause minor cracks to form. Natural contractions and expansions due to external conditions don’t significantly change the size of your walls, but it causes strain on walls over time, especially with the switching of seasons in the country.
Solutions for hairline cracks
Hairline cracks are surface-level, so you can address hairline cracks when you want or need to repaint your wall. If your chosen topcoat is different from the existing paint, remove the old paint until bare concrete is left.
We have a video from the Pintanong Video series to visualize the step-by-step process of fixing hairline cracks.
As mentioned in the video, repair cracks by applying Boysen Masonry Putty. If you are restarting from bare concrete, this step is done after applying the primer. This will fill in the gaps caused by cracks. After, conduct a spot priming by reapplying the primer used on areas where the putty was placed.
For exterior walls, it is best to use Acrytex Cast instead, especially if you would use Acrytex as your topcoat.
Solutions for slightly larger cracks
On the other hand, if your wall cracks have a size that exceeds 1 mm, but are no less than 2 mm, use Boysen Perma-Putty. As a high-build putty, the product is more superior and can be used for slightly bigger cracks.
For larger cracks or imperfections up to 3 mm, we recommend using Konstrukt Permaplast Acrylic Skimcoat. If these cracks are 3 mm to 8 mm in size, use Konstrukt Permaplast Interior Render instead. These products are applied on bare concrete, which means stripping down of old paint is a required step.
When to Consult Professionals
You can DIY the aforementioned cracks, but for vertical cracks exceeding 8 mm, there are other products that can be used for repairing them. Still, they are not exactly a cause for alarm and do not need to be urgently addressed.
Horizontal cracks on the other hand are signs for more serious structural concerns. Watch out also for cracks that cross over each other, extend over ceilings and other wall segments, or form stair-like patterns. These indicate potential structural weakness that you have to consult experts with to assess damage and provide necessary repairs.
Other Useful Boysen Products
For avoiding future cracks, you might want to use elastomeric paint products that are formulated to bridge over hairline cracks when they form.
Titan Superflex is generally one of the best paints for both interiors and exteriors. The self-priming paint is very durable which can help maintain a perfect wall for a long time.
For high-rise buildings, protect your concrete walls from cracks with Boysen Elasti-kote. It also has good weatherability, UV resistance and waterproofing for your exteriors, providing versatile protection.
Key Takeaways
A pristine wall is always a joy to see. Though not immune to imperfections, there are at least products that you should use when it’s time to repaint.
For more home improvement tips and product recommendations, subscribe to the blog. If you have questions about products mentioned in our articles, send us an email at ask@myboysen.com and our technical team will be happy to help.
