Crack in the wall of a panel house what to do. How and with what to close a crack in the wall - effective ways

When starting repair work, many people face the question: how to close a crack in the wall? Such defects are often encountered when re-gluing wallpaper or when preparing walls for painting. Cracks can have different geometry and sizes, they are superficial and through. If a crack is found, it is necessary to immediately carry out restoration work, because if everything is left to chance, then over time the damage will increase in size and lead to peeling or deformation of the finish coating, which will negate all your work.

Causes of cracks in the wall

Cracks in the wall occur for many reasons, which can be associated both with certain mistakes made during the design or construction of the facility, and with natural factors beyond the control of a person. All the reasons why cracks can form can be combined into several groups:

• shrinkage of the building;
• engineering errors or violation of construction technology;
• improper use of leveling solutions.

The most common cause of wall damage (especially for low-rise buildings) is the uneven shrinkage of the building. In the first few years after the completion of construction, the house, under the weight of building materials from which the walls, floor, ceiling, roof and foundation are made, settles into the ground. If shrinkage is uniform around the entire perimeter of the foundation, then it does not lead to the formation of cracks and is considered normal. If the building sinks unevenly into the ground, then over time this will certainly cause undesirable consequences in the form of cracks on the wall, distortion of doorways, window frames, etc.

Such phenomena must be constantly monitored with the help of beacons mounted on damaged areas. As beacons, you can use plain paper, which is glued to the crack with glue. If the paper does not tear in a week, then there is no reason to panic. In this case, you should simply close the crack in the wall.

If the paper breaks, and according to the calculations, the shrinkage should have stopped long ago, then the point here is not in the subsidence of the house, but in violation of the construction technology. At the same time, simply repairing the damage with a mortar will not give a positive result, since the cause of the defect will continue to negatively affect the house.

The safest and most easily correctable cause is improper preparation or application of leveling compounds. In this case, nothing threatens your home, except for the loss of an attractive appearance.

In addition to the above reasons, the factors that negatively affect the design of the house should also include phenomena that do not depend on the person:

• rising groundwater levels;
• temporary destruction of the foundation;
• a strong slope of the site, as a result of which uneven loads will act on the building;
• various weather events (heavy rains, snowfalls, gusts of wind, earthquakes, etc.).

How to repair a crack in a plaster wall?

Cracking of plaster is a fairly common phenomenon that can be observed both on the exterior and interior walls of the house. Especially often such damages are formed when using a cement-sand mortar as a plaster.

Before you close a crack in the wall, you need to prepare the following tools and materials:

• putty knife;
• brush;
• sickle tape;
• primer;
• plaster mixture;
• sandpaper.

The procedure for repairing cracks in plaster begins by expanding and deepening them with a small spatula, kitchen knife, screwdriver, or other sharp object that you feel comfortable working with. This allows the repair solution to penetrate deep into the damage and fill it better.

At the next stage of restoration work, the defective area is cleaned of construction debris and primed with a brush and a deep penetration primer. Treating a crack with a primer increases the adhesion of the plaster mixture and, accordingly, the strength of its adhesion to the base. After the primer has dried, the plaster mixture is carefully rubbed into the crack with a spatula. Until the solution has set, a serpentine tape is applied over it along the entire length of the gap and closed with the same solution. As a repair mortar, it is recommended to use a gypsum mixture, which can be purchased at any hardware store.

After the plaster has dried, it must be rubbed with sandpaper to obtain an even base. Your wall is ready to be wallpapered, painted or finished with any other decorative material.

Repairing cracks in brickwork

There are several ways to fix a crack in a brick wall. The choice of one method or another will depend on the size of the damage. How to close a crack up to 5 mm wide? To do this, you can use ordinary cement mortar or tile adhesive. Before applying the selected mixture, the crack must be widened with a spatula and hammer, cleaned of debris and treated with a deep penetration primer. Slots up to 10-15 mm in size can also be sealed with cement mortar. Only in this case it is recommended to add a little fine sand to it.

Slots with a width of more than 15 mm are considered dangerous, as they reduce the reliability of the brickwork and can lead to a partial collapse of the wall. To repair such damage, other methods of restoration work are used. For example, a defective section of a wall can be dismantled and replaced with new masonry. At the same time, the installation of bricks is carried out using the “brick lock” method.

To increase the strength of the masonry, pieces of reinforcement are laid between the rows of bricks.

A large gap in the brickwork can also be sealed with foam. To do this, the crack is cleaned of debris, primed and filled with foam. After setting, the foam is cut to a depth of about 20 mm. This gap is filled with a cement mixture or adhesive.

A crack in the wall can occur for many reasons. However, no matter what factors lead to such a defect, it must be repaired without fail before the final finishing of the wall, because after a while the gap can cause damage to the finish.

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Wall cracks are a fairly common occurrence. A number of reasons can cause their appearance, for example, shrinkage of the house. It is natural that when they are detected, the question arises: how to close a crack in the wall correctly? A small defect can be a harbinger of big trouble, up to the destruction and deformation of the entire building, so you need to act as quickly as possible to avoid the appearance of new flaws and prevent the growth of existing ones. An important point is the exact definition of the cause that caused the destructive process. Without its elimination, it makes no sense to hope for a solution to the problem.

Causes of wall cracking

Before you close a crack in the wall, it is necessary to find out the destructive factors that served as the basis for the occurrence of this undesirable phenomenon. One of the options for classifying gaps according to the main possible causes of the process is given in the table below.

The nature of the location on the walls of the house and the parameters of the cracks indicate the reasons for their formation. Their direction is influenced by the acting loads, for example:

• the presence and location of numerous cracks in the wall of the house on their surface indicates the wear of materials;
• cracks widened at the top are evidence of subsidence of the foundation, and thickened towards the bottom - evidence of the action of significant vertical loads.

By depth and direction, defects are divided into:

• oblique;
• horizontal and vertical;
• straight and curved;
• surface and through;
• closed.

Based on the size of the cracks, there are such types of them:

• small - up to 5 mm;
• medium - 5-10 mm;
• wide - more than 1 cm.

Sealing cracks, both internal and external, should begin with finding out the cause. This will help the analysis of their appearance.

Check cracks for the possibility of further growth

When starting in concrete walls (or those built from other materials), it is necessary to make sure that they are stable, because if the faults grow, then it does not make sense to cover them up until the destructive process stops.

It is possible to determine how crack formation proceeds in a simple way. Next, they act like this:

• stick plain paper on the seam and observe its integrity for a certain period;
• apply a layer of plaster and wait for the result.

If the applied coating remains intact, then the defects are closed. With further deformation of the surface, it is necessary to look for the cause in order to stop the growth and close the gap.

Tools and materials for work

To seal the cracks at home, you will need to prepare a working tool and collect the material with which they will be closed. Everything you may need is summarized in the following table.

In each case, you will need certain tools and materials. Their use is influenced by the operating conditions of the repaired surface and the nature of the problem itself.

Crack Repair Technology

Having found a defect in a concrete wall (stone, plasterboard), it is necessary to start repairing it as soon as possible. Work begins only after stabilization of the destruction process.

How to properly and how to close a crack is determined by its size and location inside or outside the house. The base material also matters.

Considering these factors, the general scheme of work on various surfaces with flaws of different scales comes down to the following actions:

• expand the gap;
• remove debris, dust, other contaminants;
• perform priming;
• reinforce;
• seal the hole with mortar.

To remove dust, use a brush or vacuum cleaner. You can also wash off the debris with water, but then you need to wait for the working area to dry. For bases made of different materials, there are some nuances in the work.

Removal of defects in brick, concrete and plastered walls

Small cracks up to 1 cm are sealed in the same way. Step-by-step instructions for carrying out work are reduced to the following points:

• embroider the furrow with a hammer and chisel;
• clean the work surface from debris;
• primed;
• holes for dowels are drilled with a puncher (about every 40 cm) to secure the reinforcing mesh;
• after its installation, it is covered with a layer of cement-sand plaster;
• coating material is applied.

Very small cracks are filled with sealant using a syringe, as in the photo below.

Splits larger than 1 cm are considered dangerous. They are closed in the following order:

• remove broken bricks;
• clean the recess;
• whole bricks with wire are laid on a new cement-sand mortar;
• fix the reinforcing mesh, or mount metal plates on the anchors, stitching the cracked place.

If it is not possible to dismantle the cracked masonry elements, then they do this:

• upholster the edges of the seam;
• remove contaminants;
• the formed recess is filled with mounting foam;
• when it dries, remove it 2 cm deep;
• plastered with cement.

Similarly, small and large gaps and cracks are filled in concrete, stone, plastered bases. So the grooves on the plaster are enough to close up with a solution close in properties to the applied coating.

To eliminate minor flaws indoors, gypsum putties and sealants are usually used. Larger defects and when repairing external walls, cement-sand compositions are used. After sealing the seam, it is desirable to plaster the entire surface, and then apply a finishing coating with good reinforcing properties, for example, glass.

Sealing through cracks and defects on drywall

Through faults are serious violations of the integrity of the partitions, often requiring the strengthening of the entire wall.

In the general case, having completed the preparatory work to clean the opening and beat off weakly fixed elements, proceed to the following actions:

• fill with cement-crushed stone (fine-grained) mortar;
• mount metal plates on the anchor (dowel);
• plaster the working area;
• create a finish.

It is possible to apply plates on both sides of the wall, using through bolts for tightening. Then the holes for the bolts are filled with plaster.

In this way, you can both decorate cracks on the wall and strengthen it.

As for drywall, it is a very moisture-sensitive material. If the sheets are deformed, then they will need to be replaced. They will not return to their original state.

Ordinary cracks in drywall can be covered up:

Another option to get rid of the problem is to paste over the damaged area with fiberglass, followed by applying a layer of putty.

Compared with surfaces made of other materials for GKL, the following nuances should be taken into account:

• the solution is applied to the seam and a thin layer on adjacent sheets, capturing 5 cm from the edges to be sealed;
• the frozen mass is polished.

The best option is to plaster the entire surface of the deformable wall using. It is very good when lined with a material that can additionally reinforce the base.

Cracking occurs on different types of surfaces: concrete, stone, plaster, brick. Also, cracks can appear on drywall and partitions from various blocks.

The methods outlined show how to repair cracks in the wall of your apartment, which have different sizes and have arisen on bases made of different materials. Technology in all cases provides for a general procedure. Only some of the materials used differ. All operations can be easily performed with your own hands without the help of specialists.

In detail, the technique of repairing cracks on the wall can be studied in the video below.

Cracks in the walls of the house, both inside and out, are not uncommon, and they appear for various reasons, which we will consider below. You will also learn how to repair a crack in a brick wall, repair a concrete surface, cracks in drywall, or a wall plastered with cement. Self-sealing of cracks in brick walls is within the power of every owner who is not afraid of work and has a minimum set of home tools.

Repairing cracks in brickwork

Destruction of brickwork can occur due to:

1. Soil shrinkage under the base of the foundation;
2. High groundwater level;
3. Shallow deepening of the foundation;
4. High load due to erroneous calculations;
5. Incorrectly prepared mortar and violations of building technologies.

The area in which cracks appeared indicates the causes of destruction. So, the appearance of cracks in the wall below means that the bearing loads from the ceiling pressure are calculated incorrectly. If cracks grow at the top of the wall, then most likely the foundation is shrinking.

Before covering up cracks in brickwork, it is necessary to check their condition - whether cracks grow or not. This is done by applying plaster beacons, which are applied along the edges of the crack and hold the strip of paper. There are also special devices with measured graduation. The crack is monitored for 7-10 days.

Minor repairs of cracks in brick walls up to 0.5 cm wide are done as follows: cover the damage with liquid cement without adding sand. Process technology:

1. The gap is freed from dirt and wetted with water;
2. The edges of the crack are expanded to increase the area covered by the solution, the solution is tightly clogged inside;
3. With the same solution, only with the addition of purified sand, cracks of 0.5-1 cm in size can be repaired;

Large cracks (≥ 10 mm) must be repaired in several ways:

1. The destroyed local area of ​​​​the masonry is dismantled and the brick is shifted in a new way:
   1. The bricks are removed, starting from the upper rows, the bricks are laid back “in the castle”;
   2. The section of the new masonry is reinforced with any metal scraps that are suitable in size;
   3. If it is impossible to disassemble the brick in the damaged area, cracks in this area can be repaired with a thick layer of cement-sand mortar, as described in paragraph No. 2 above;
2. Also, the crack is wedged with T-shaped steel crutches, the edges of which are attached to the wall with dowels. With this method of repair, the same crutches must be driven in from the inside;
3. Cracks in brickwork can be repaired with mounting construction foam or sealant, after the substance has hardened, deepen the damage by 1-2 cm, seal the recess with cement mortar. The sealant is squeezed into the slot with a special construction gun;
4. An internal crack in the wall of a brick house is sealed as follows: first, the edges of the crack are pulled together with a steel plate (plates), the edges of which are fastened with anchors or dowels, then the area is smeared with mortar;
5. If during the inspection of the building it was found that the wall cracked due to the shrinkage of the foundation, the foundation must be reinforced with an external concrete grillage around the entire perimeter. The grillage is poured into a trench, which digs along the entire base to the depth of its foundation.

How to repair cracks in a plastered wall

It would seem that a crack in the plaster is not a dangerous and insignificant problem, but this is not only a visual flaw. Not only the decorative coating suffers, but also the brickwork. Most often, plaster cracks on the outer walls, as their surface is affected by both moisture and temperature differences. Through such small cracks, water enters the bricks, and in frost it turns into ice and destroys the wall.

From the inside, such cracks in the plaster look more like a cobweb - they are small and shallow, and appear due to incorrect proportions of the plaster mortar or a thick layer of plaster applied in one go. That is, the technology is clearly violated here, and the problem can only be corrected radically - knocking off the old layer and applying a new one.

And how to repair microcracks that can occur after pasting walls with wallpaper, plastering or painting? First you need to reinforce these damages with fiberglass mesh, stick a piece of glass or fiberglass, and then plaster this place. The plaster mortar for these purposes can be external and internal, and the differences lie in the composition - the external mixture is based on the use of cement, the internal mixture is based on the use of lime.

When damage is formed on the plaster, how to repair microcracks? The repair solution can be industrial or homemade, and the repair technology is as follows:

1. With a paint brush, the solution is applied to the area where there is a crack, and the surface is rubbed with a grater or spatula;
2. If the old layer of plaster was applied by spraying, then to obtain the same effect after repair, the brush urinates in water, and then the plastered wall is moistened with claps with a wet brush;
3. But what if the cracks appeared during the shrinkage of the foundation? Such damage is repaired by deep impregnation with cement mortar. The dried solution is covered with dispersion paint.

It is also recommended to plaster a crack in a brick wall with the addition of astringent plasticizers - gypsum, alabaster, slaked lime.

The use of gypsum accelerates the hardening of the solution, in addition, the mixture with the addition of gypsum does not shrink during operation. The addition of lime is necessary only for the repair of external walls, since lime mortar sets well only with free access to air currents.

Repairing cracks in drywall sheets

Causes of cracking drywall walls:

1. Improper installation of the frame and fastening of drywall sheets;
2. Incorrectly formulated putty mortar;
3. High humidity in the room or temperature difference.

Drywall as a building material absorbs moisture well, besides, a wet sheet can be deformed, and after drying, retain a curved shape. A severely warped sheet or section of drywall wall can only be replaced with a new sheet. And horizontal, diagonal or vertical gaps in the plasterboard wall of the house can be repaired as follows:

1. Clog the crack with putty or fill with acrylic;
2. Plaster, and put a piece of fiberglass on top, put putty on top, cover the smeared place with a finishing layer of building mixture.

Before repair, the wall surface is processed:

1. The old plaster is knocked down, the site is cleaned;
2. Putty is prepared from a ready-made building dry mix in the following proportions: two parts dry mortar to one part water;
3. The putty layer should be no more than 2 mm, it is necessary to close up not only the cracked area, but also 5-10 cm of the adjacent surface;
4. If a reinforcing mesh is used, then it is not stretched over the damaged area, but is hammered into the gap, followed by plastering;
5. After the solution has dried (1.5-2 hours), the surface is ground and cleaned of dust.

Seal cracks in a concrete wall

Disproportionate concrete mortar in the manufacture of a concrete wall (slab) is the main cause of cracking. When concrete is being laid in a form (formwork), it must be constantly rammed with a vibrating compactor, in extreme cases, bayoneted with a shovel or crowbar. The air remaining in the concrete not only weakens the structure of the material, but also contributes to the movement of moisture into the pores, which in frost will lead to concrete cracking. But it is not enough just to make the right mortar and pour it - concrete must be constantly looked after, and especially at the beginning of the hardening process. Freshly poured concrete must be covered with a waterproofing agent so that moisture does not evaporate from the surface quickly and unevenly - if the saturation of the concrete layers with moisture does not match, the upper, drier, layer will crack, as the lower wet concrete will expand and put pressure on it.

Cracks most often appear on walls that are in conditions of contrasting temperatures, that is, on the street. Freezing in winter, the moisture in the cracks expands and causes the crack to grow in the weak spot of the wall. If reinforcement is encountered in the path of such a gap, it begins to rust, which weakens the entire structure. Therefore, in order to avoid numerous repairs, the building must be periodically inspected for new defects in the walls in order to prevent their further development.

If the concrete wall is cracking, then it can be repaired by carrying out the following operations:

1. With a perforator or a hammer with a chisel, the crack is deepened and expanded, the area is cleaned of dust and moistened. If there is open reinforcement in the crack, it is painted;
2. The proportions of the solution are 1: 3, with the addition of Bustilat or PVA glue;
3. If the crack is deep, a reinforcing mesh is laid and a solution is applied, which is smoothed with a spatula;
4. After setting the solution, the irregularities are ground with a grinder.

Cracks must be sealed in any case, even if they are small and small in length, since there is always a danger of their growth.

Cracks in the walls cause a lot of inconvenience and have a different nature of occurrence. If the problem is not addressed in a timely manner, the consequences can be quite unpleasant. The cracks begin to grow in size and flake off. If the deformation is deep, then this can cause the formation of fungus and mold. Repairing a crack in the wall with your own hands is not so difficult as it seems at first glance.

• Building shrinkage. This process occurs in the first 3–5 years after construction. It is advisable to refrain from expensive cosmetic repairs during this period.
• technology disruption duringbuilding construction. Mistakes during construction can lead to numerous and unpleasant problems. This can happen until the cause is completely eliminated.
• Composition for leveling surfaces. The solution must be selected based on the characteristics of the room.

After the cause of the cracks in the walls of the building is identified, it is necessary to begin to eliminate the detected defect. For effective repair of cracks, plastic building mixtures are used, which guarantee reliable adhesion of the material to the surface.

You need to start work after a thorough inspection of the wall. It is important to stop the further spread of the crack in time, using special solutions.

Building materials for embedding

The choice of material for sealing cracks depends mainly on the coating. The most popular are the following items:

Cement-sand mixture (CPS)

CPS (cement-sand mixture). This material is used to correct imperfections in concrete and brick walls. Mixtures with the addition of plasticizers have minimal shrinkage.

This type of mixture is easy to prepare yourself. Just add the right amount of water. Do not lose their properties at sub-zero temperatures.

The disadvantages of cement-sand mixtures include the higher cost of this material compared to other compositions for sealing cracks. The solution prepared for work cannot be stored for a long time.

sealant

Sealants. Used for sealing cracks on concrete, brick and plastered surfaces. Only good for minor damage. To seal the cracks in the wall, only acrylic sealant is used, silicone is not suitable for this.

The advantages include the affordable cost of the material, does not contain toxic and combustible substances, easily adheres to highly porous surfaces.

The disadvantage of sealants is the impossibility of their use in rooms with high humidity.

Plaster products

Plaster products. The main component of the material is cement and gypsum. The composition may contain various additives. Plaster mixtures have high elasticity.

This type of material is resistant to mechanical and atmospheric influences, non-toxic.

Varieties of plaster mixture

Plaster products are suitable for all types of surfaces (brick, concrete, drywall, plastered surface).

Seal cracks yourself

Before work, make sure that the crack has not affected the building structure. After that, it is important to focus on the material that serves as the basis for the coating.

The nature of the formation of cracks

brick wall

Cracks in brick walls are divided into two types, in size: up to 5 mm and more. Therefore, the options for performing work are different.

First way:

If there are gaps in the wall exceeding 5 mm, the work must be carried out smoothly and carefully, without touching the base of the surface. If there are through cracks and partial subsidence of the wall, then it is best to shift the masonry, additionally reinforcing the rows.

If large-scale work is not needed, then the following manipulations must be performed:

1. The initial work repeats the previous procedure. To seal cracks, a cement-sand mixture is used with additives that give elasticity.
2. To increase adhesion, it is necessary to treat with a deeply penetrating primer.
3. When applying, it is necessary that the solution penetrates deep into the damage.
4. After that everything straightens out.

On a plasterboard partition wall

Most often, cracks on a plasterboard wall occur at the junction of sheets. If a gap appeared on the plate itself, then this indicates incorrect installation or a violation of the integrity of the frame. The first step is to eliminate the cause.

The gaps at the joints should be sealed as follows:

1. Joints must be cleaned and jointed.
2. Treat with a primer.
3. Apply putty evenly.
4. Apply reinforcing tape, smear it into the surface.
5. Align and grind the material.

Fixing cracks in drywall

plastered surface

If the cracks in the plastered surface are deep, then these are the consequences of a defect in the main coating. In this case, it is best to completely remove the plaster and fix the problem.

Repairing a deep crack

If only internal work is required, then the following is required:

• If the coating serves as the basis for facing with decorative material, then the main thing is to choose the right composition. Using a spatula, it is necessary to apply the solution and align.
• If the plaster plays a decorative role, then it is necessary to recreate the damaged area.
• If there are numerous small cracks, the surface must be treated with a plaster composition using a brush.

On a concrete wall

The gap in the concrete wall should be sealed as follows:

1. With the help of a chisel and a hammer, the crack needs to be embroidered.
2. Clean off dust and dirt. Treat with a primer.
3. Prepare a cement-sand mixture.
4. Apply the solution with a spatula.
5. Level the surface.

Concrete wall processing

Sealing cracks is a simple process that can be performed independently on any type of wall, regardless of the reasons for the formation.

Cracks in panel houses are not uncommon. Almost everyone has seen buildings with grouted seams, and these houses have stood that way for decades. Of course, if the split is through, and it blows, or moisture gets into the apartment, you need to do repairs, but in general, there are no special reasons for excitement. Let's see why cracks in panel walls can occur, how dangerous they are in general, how to identify risks, and what to do as a result.

Why do cracks appear in the walls of a panel house?

There is no one reason and cannot be. But there are the most common ones that most often cause cracking.

• home shrinkage. The most common cause in new buildings. On average, the house "walks" for about 5 years, and if you are planning a very expensive and complex repair, it may be worth waiting for this time so as not to redo everything later.
• redevelopment. Most often, in panel houses, it is the inner walls that are load-bearing, and therefore it is not recommended to touch them at all - to move openings, demolish, etc. But the tenants do it, and as a result, the house warps from an uneven load. Especially often a problem arises if the redevelopment is done on the lower floors.
• Technology Disruption construction. Sometimes a house is rented with unevenly laid panels, and the holes are sealed with sealant or other materials. For this reason, cracks appear at the joints and in the corners. It happens that the panels are already delivered with cracks, or they appear during the construction process.
• Construction work near the building. When building residential complexes, it happens that a dug ditch, a foundation, or just powerful vibration works cause problems with the foundation, and it begins to sag.
• Chasing walls for hidden wiring and air conditioning lines. The problem exists in many modern homes, and usually newcomers are warned about the ban, but few people take it seriously. As a result, cracks appear not only where the house gives a logical shrinkage, but also in unexpected places, and the load only intensifies.

How dangerous is a crack in the wall of a panel house: what to do to determine the risks?

The complexity of the problem depends on where exactly the crack occurred: in the outer or inner wall, or on the ceiling.

• Small external cracks are not dangerous, and panel houses do not collapse from them, especially if the fault is on the outer wall. Yes, uncomfortable, blowing, but there is no risk. Cracks that arise from the demolition of load-bearing walls on the first floors are dangerous. This happens when the first floors are bought out for a store or similar premises, and then redevelopment is done.
• If a crack occurs in a load-bearing wall between apartments, you need to determine its depth to find out if it is through, in which case it may be necessary to strengthen the wall. However, there is usually so much reinforced concrete that it will quite withstand the fault. Such cracks usually cause maximum excitement, and in this case, of course, you should not hesitate.
• cracks on the ceiling are not dangerous in principle, and usually cause only aesthetic indignation: no matter how the plaster is, it will break through under the wallpaper and paint. In this case, a stretch ceiling is usually advised.

To determine the risk of developing and increasing a split, you can independently put plaster beacon. It should be about the size of a palm, and if the crack is winding, you will need to put several pieces in different places.

If a for 2-3 months the lighthouse did not collapse, which means that the crack does not develop, and it can be repaired. If the crack increases, it is necessary to contact the appropriate authorities - the HOA or the Management Company, which will deal with the problem, identify the cause and eliminate the risks.

Before taking any action to repair the crack, you need to identify the cause, so you will have to go through the neighbors' apartments, and be sure to see if redevelopment has been done there. If you have a good relationship, they will probably let you in anyway, otherwise you will need to collect a commission.

Please note: representatives of the Criminal Code and Homeowners' associations must at least draw up an act, or better, install beacons and monitor their condition. If the situation is critical, the crack is large, and the Criminal Code and the HOA do nothing, make an application to the City Housing Inspectorate and wait for the commission to arrive.

How to fix cracks in panel walls yourself?

Previously, rubber and cement were used as a sealing material, today there are many modern solutions - polyurethane foam, mastics, sealants. They fill the space and prevent water and wind from entering the house, and some also further strengthen the panel. You can pick up a suitable tool in a hardware store.

To fill a crack, you need her qualitatively clean, it is possible to remove the old seam, rinse and dry the edges, beat them with a hammer for a better bond. Large cracks are usually foamed, small ones can simply be sealed with sealant, allowed to dry, and mortar applied. According to the situation, it is possible to use a building grid so that the wall does not collapse and the wallpaper does not lag behind it.

note that temperature matters environment if you are filling a crack in an exterior wall. It is advisable to do this on a warm house, but at least +5 degrees is already good. This is not the temperature outside, but the temperature of the panel itself. So all means will adhere well, dry out and will not go away over time.

Who will pay for the cracks in the walls of a panel house?

First you need to figure out who is to blame for the situation: builders, developer, neighbors or someone else. But you need to understand that, as a rule, such cracks are not dangerous, and therefore the housing office in this case often sends a formal reply: there is a crack, we will repair it, your house is in line in 20 years.

It is most realistic to get compensation from neighbors or the developer, but you have to do it through the court.

Most tenants have to carry out current repairs at their own expense, as they do not want to live in a ventilated room with mold and torn wallpaper.

In any case, with non-hazardous stable cracks, there is time to save money and make repairs.

Vladislav Bondarchuk

Melwood Expert

Spent 267 building expertise, 31 forensic examination

In company with 2017 of the year