How to repair a small crack in a wall

Hairline or small cracks can be a bit of a nuisance and it's best to fix them before they grow any bigger. Read this easy-to-follow guide to see the steps involved.

Level of difficulty

Level 1: Beginner

What you need

  • Dust sheet
  • Damp cloth
  • Spackling paste
  • Caulking gun
  • Plaster
  • Trowel
  • Sandpaper

The steps to follow

  1. Cover your work area with a dust sheet.
  2. Clean the area around the wall crack. You don't want any debris to be caught inside the crack as you'll be filling the crack with spackling paste.

    Note:
    Spackling paste is widely used in filling wall cracks because it's fast-drying and fixes cracks instantly.
     
  3. Load a caulking gun with spackling paste.
  4. Slowly fill the crack up with the caulking gun.
  5. Scrape out any excess paste with a putty knife and wipe the surface with a damp cloth.
  6. Let the paste set and dry in the crack.
  7. Apply a thin coat of plaster with a trowel to the surface and let it dry.
  8. When the layer of plaster has dried, smooth the surface with fine grade sandpaper.
  9. You're now ready to paint over the crack.

    Note:
    Before applying any colour paint, don't forget to prime your wall first.

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