Homeowner Forum / Construction / November 2003

I have a couple places in my old house where this used to be a problem.  My fix
was to use paintable caulk.  I haven't seen cracks in at least ten years since.

Just fill the crack and strike it off flush.  When it's dry, paint over it, and
forget about it. I like paintable silicone because it's most flexible.

Dave

Clean out the crack and use a polyurethane caulk. It is the most
flexible material I know of.

There's a product called Crack Kote (or some such funky spelling).  It's
basically a vinyl spackle and fiberglass mesh repair system.  The mesh is much
thinner and smoother than the typical fiberglass mesh joint tape so you'll use
a lot less spackle and get a much smoother result.  It goes on thin and dries
very quickly so you can paint within thirty minutes or so.

Using any type of caulk by itself will seal the joint but won't take care of
any difference in surface levels or rough edges.  You have to build it up some
to make it truly disappear.

One note, depending on where the crack is and how it runs, it might be from
normal settling and shrinkage, or it might indicate a more serious structural
situation.  Most settling and shrinkage happens in the first year - anything
after that should be more closely investigated.

R

   Go look for settling of the foundation.  The crack is reappearing
means that the house is still moving around.  If you cannot see
noticeable
settling patch the crack with a flexible material such as silicone
paintable
caulk and accept that you are going to have to go back and patch it
as long as the house is settling. It should stop moving after the first
year or so.  If it still keeps on reappearing after that, then you have
something serious to take care of.

   --Dale