Heat, cold and moisture can take such a toll on a solid garden wall over the years that cracks appear in the masonry. In our guide article we explain to you how you can repair the unsightly damaged areas yourself professionally and easily.
How can I repair cracks in my garden wall?
To repair cracks in a garden wall, first clean the affected area and, if necessary, enlarge the crack. Fill smaller cracks with filler and larger cracks with repair compound, possibly in several layers and reinforced with reinforcing mesh.
What consequential damage can occur as a result of the cracks?
Moisture can penetrate the masonry through the cracks and cause serious damage. The reason: When there is frost, the water freezes and expands. There is also a risk of salinization of the masonry and the formation of mold. As a result, the building structure suffers and the wall loses stability.
Remove minor cracks
You can fill these relatively easily with ready-made filler:
- First clean the affected area of the garden wall from dirt and loose parts.
- Wet the areas in need of repair well, as the fillers are usually water-bound.
- You can then fill the cracks with filler (€5.00 on Amazon).
- Cracks that are deeper and wider than two millimeters should be filled in two or more steps. Allow the material to dry thoroughly from time to time.
Repair larger cracks
The classic method of filling larger cracks in the garden wall is plastering. For this purpose, the damaged areas must first be carefully enlarged, for example with a power cutter or hammer and chisel. Arrange the cracks in a V shape, this gives the edges a larger adhesive surface.
Paint the cracks with deep primer and then fill them with repair compound. Two to three layers may be necessary for this. For very large cracks, it is recommended to insert a strip of reinforcing fabric. This solidifies the plaster and thus ensures greater stability of the material.
Tip
Since garden walls are permanently exposed to the weather, it is advisable to seal cracks as soon as possible. This ensures that the damage does not extend too deep into the masonry and require extensive repair work.
