DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Morning all!

Firstly apologies if I'm not using the correct terminology in this post, I'm a DIY novice!

I'm living in a Victorian terraced house and looking to re decorate the front room and stairwell.

Whilst looking at the skirting along the stairs I can see loads of cracks and chips along the skirting leading up the stairs, with some parts also cracking further up the wall. When I gently press the wall there's movement in some parts.

Is this blown plaster? And can this be fixed in anyway or will it need re plastering?

I've seen on a previous post someone mentioned drilling small holes into the affected areas and spraying in expanding foam to limit the movement - would this work?

I've tried to attach a picture but unsure if it will attach.

Thanks for your help!

Hi JWM,
The cracking and loose plaster may be due to the staircase being partly buried in the wall. Unless you have lumps of plaster coming off just fill and repaint. If you have money burning a hole in your pocket then get the wall hacked off back to the brickwork and replastered.
Regards S

Thanks for the reply Stoneyboy.

Is the movement not a major issue then?

Could the refilling essentially stop that?

Hi JWM,
Replacement is not that straightforward.
Being Victorian the plaster may well be lime render with horse hair with a skim on top. This will not be easy to replace full depth in sections.
If the wall is an outside one and this is this bowing outwards, you will not cure the loose plaster until this is corrected.
Hope that helps surface repair is still the best option.
Regards S

Thanks for your help