Fixing join line between ceiling plasterboard?

relicalpha

relicalpha

relicalpha

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UK
Hi,

My bathroom ceiling had a hairline crack across the full length of where plasterboard pieces are joined (matches with join in loft above). I guess this has just happened over time as they've settled / been joined badly initially. Anyway I didn't know what this was originally and so when I redecorated I raked it out a bit and filled with pollyfilla. Obviously it has just reappeared a year later.

What's the correct way to address this? Should I rake out the join line properly, use a flexible filler unlike pollyfilla, sand and paint? I see "Red Devil Filler" recommended a lot, would that work for these board join lines? Or is this a bigger problem that needs fully skimming or something?

Thanks :)
 
This is a bit extreme, but something similar to this would do the trick. I've done this before on a wall, but without the expanding foam - just opened up the joint, PVA'd and filled.


Basically this procedure, but with PVA in the gap before filler:


Make sure you use powder filler and mix up your own. In my experience, it always holds better but can't give you an explanation as to why!
 
Thing is with cracks they often offer a path of low resistance if the house moves about, like many do. So a crack can sometimes reopen. The correct way of doing this is to tie the blocks together under the plaster. It's actually a lot simpler than it sounds and it's quick to do but a horrible mess for a day, so only do this for cracks that really bother you! You cut out notches in the plaster all the way down to the block that are about six inches long and one inch wide, evenly placed over the crack like stitches. You then attach metal plates to the wall using screws and rawlplugs. Repeat the "staples" every foot or so along the entire length of the crack.
I've used this method for all sorts of settlement cracks, horizontal and vertical, and it has been 100% successful.
Oh, another thing you can do is glue trim over it. CT1 is useful for ceiling meets wall cracks, but allow it to completely dry for a month before you paint over it.
 
TheFew said:
Can you recommend a product? When I search for scrim tape I mostly get mesh tape as a result.
Click to expand...

https://www.toolstation.com/paper-plasterboard-joint-tape/p51272?msclkid=3dbedffa9192187fb30dbf963579c776&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PLC+Adhesives+%26+Sealants&utm_term=4578503895688587&utm_content=Adhesives

This kind of stuff - it’s thinner than the mesh scrim tape and easier to fill over. You put filler on, then the tape, then squeeze out the excess and fill over the top.

The only pitfall I found was I left a couple of small patches with an air bubble under the tape, and although it was smoothed flat it’s visible if you’re looking for it so watch out for that and make sure you’ve totally covered the bit where you’re going to put the tape, with easifill first.
 
PardonTheWait said:
https://www.toolstation.com/paper-p...m_term=4578503895688587&utm_content=Adhesives

This kind of stuff - it’s thinner than the mesh scrim tape and easier to fill over. You put filler on, then the tape, then squeeze out the excess and fill over the top.

The only pitfall I found was I left a couple of small patches with an air bubble under the tape, and although it was smoothed flat it’s visible if you’re looking for it so watch out for that and make sure you’ve totally covered the bit where you’re going to put the tape, with easifill first.
Click to expand...

Thanks. My house is a mess of fine cracks around the edges and ceilings. So sure I will use some of this in the future.
 
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