A crack in a facade can be a simple defect in the render or the sign of a problem with the building. That is why the first step is never to cover it up: it is to find out what caused it and whether it is still moving.
We repair cracks in the facades of residential blocks, homes and other buildings, from sealing hairline cracks to reinforcing damaged areas.
Types of crack
Hairline cracks
Fine cracks in the paint or render. They are usually caused by the material shrinking or by changes in temperature.
Cracks in the render
Wider, with hollow areas or sections coming away. The render has lost its bond and lets water through.
Structural cracks
Wide, diagonal or running right through the wall. They point to movement in the building or the ground and need a technical survey.
Why they appear
- Movement in the building and ground settlement.
- Expansion and contraction with changes in temperature, especially where there are no movement joints.
- Damp and rusting of reinforcement or metal elements.
- Ageing materials and lack of maintenance.
- Poor workmanship in the original construction or in earlier repairs.
When to worry
You should have the following checked without delay: wide or diagonal cracks, cracks that grow over time, cracks accompanied by falling material and cracks that coincide with doors or windows that no longer close properly. An unrepaired crack lets water in, which causes damp in the homes and ends up damaging the structure.
How we repair them
Diagnosis
We analyse the type of crack, its width, depth and how it is developing to find out where it comes from and whether it is active.
Preparation
We open up the crack, remove loose material and clean the substrate.
Repair
Depending on the case, we seal with elastic products, fill with technical mortars or inject resin. If the crack is structural, we reinforce the area first.
Finish
We rebuild the render and apply the final finish and protection so that the repair is not noticeable.
The most common mistake is to repair a crack without looking into its cause: if the cause is still there, the crack comes back. From Viladecavalls (Barcelona) we work across Spain and on international projects.
Have a similar project?
We visit you, assess the building and give you a detailed, no-obligation quote.
Frequently asked questions about cracks
Are cracks in a facade dangerous?
Not all of them. Hairline cracks in the render are usually superficial, but you should have the following checked as soon as possible: wide or diagonal cracks, cracks that grow over time, cracks accompanied by falling material, and cracks that coincide with doors and windows that no longer close properly.
How are cracks in a facade repaired?
It depends on the type: superficial cracks are sealed with elastic products; cracks in the render are opened up, cleaned out and filled with technical mortars; others are injected with resin; and if the crack is structural, the area has to be reinforced before it is repaired.
Why does a crack that has already been repaired come back?
Because it was covered up without solving the cause: movement in the building, expansion with no movement joint, or damp. It also happens when a crack that is still moving is filled with a rigid material. That is why we diagnose first.
