12 reasons for putty defects on walls. How to fix the situation?

Any homeowner or contractor can become frustrated when they find flaws in wall putty. These flaws not only make your walls less visually appealing, but they may also point to more serious problems that require attention. Each type of defect, from minor cracks to large bulges, may have a variety of causes, such as improper application methods or structural movement.

A common cause of putty defects is inadequate surface preparation. Adhesion problems can occur if walls aren’t thoroughly cleaned, leveled, and dried before applying putty, which can eventually cause cracks and peeling. Furthermore, poor putty quality or improper mixing can affect the putty’s finish and longevity.

Putty defects are also significantly influenced by environmental factors. Cracks can result from shrinkage brought on by temperature and humidity changes during application and drying. Similar to this, putty’s bonding and durability can be impacted by short curing times or using it in direct sunlight.

Putty layers may be stressed by structural movement in buildings, such as settling or expansion brought on by temperature changes. This stress, particularly in older or poorly built buildings, frequently shows up as separations or cracks from the wall surface.

Inadequate application methods, like using too much putty or applying it unevenly, can cause uneven drying and shrinkage. This unevenness impairs the putty’s ability to provide a smooth and long-lasting finish in addition to detracting from the wall’s appearance.

Compatibility problems can arise when putty is used incorrectly on particular surfaces or under particular circumstances. To guarantee good adhesion and long-term performance, different putty formulations may be needed for different surfaces, such as concrete, plaster, or drywall.

Inadequate ventilation throughout the desiccation procedure may retain moisture in the putty layers, leading to their gradual softening or bubbling. Mold growth may result from this trapped moisture, which would worsen the wall surface’s durability and appearance.

If putty is applied without sufficient priming, it may not adhere to the wall surface as well. Primers give putty a smoother, longer-lasting finish by sealing the surface, enhancing adhesion, and preventing moisture absorption.

Putty layers that have been overly sanded or polished may become less resilient to small shocks and strains. Maintaining the putty’s integrity and appearance requires careful attention to recommended sanding techniques and avoiding overworking the material.

The durability and bonding strength of putty can be impacted by uneven or improper mixing ratios. Applying and mixing putty according to the manufacturer’s instructions guarantees that it will work as intended and stick to the wall surface.

The application of putty at the proper time of year can have a big impact on its longevity and performance. Rigorous temperature and humidity control can reduce the occurrence of shrinkage, cracking, and other defects that are frequently linked to environmental influences.

Puttyed walls can benefit from routine maintenance and inspection to help identify early indications of flaws before they worsen. Early correction of minor flaws or cracks can stop them from getting worse and reduce the need for more involved repairs down the road.

It might be essential to seek advice from a qualified painter or contractor in order to pinpoint the underlying causes of putty flaws that don’t go away and to apply efficient repair techniques. Their knowledge can guarantee that the necessary repairs are made and that the underlying problems are resolved to stop them from happening again.

Reasons for the appearance of putty defects on walls

Puttying flaws are frequently the result of application technology non-compliance.

1. Steps and cuts occur if the trowel plate is not pressed down enough or is inaccurately moved away from the base of the wall.
2. Shagreen or clumping is possible when using a spatula to treat putty that has already set. You need to work quickly with gypsum and polymer compounds.
3. Sometimes the cause is surface defects.

However, there are additional ones:

1. Tool defects. Bent, chipped corners, uneven canvas leave characteristic marks on the wall. Before starting work, apply a spatula or trowel to the base at an angle of 90 degrees. There should be no gaps between them.
2. Foreign impurities. Tools and mixing container must be clean. When large foreign particles enter the solution, they are drawn along with the movement of the tool and push through the material. Grooves can form if the mixture is poorly mixed or coarse crumbs are added to it.
3. Incorrect selection of tools. A hard spatula leaves grooves when pressed hard. Too wide requires special skills. It is optimal to select a flexible wide spatula up to 45 cm wide, no more.
4. Incorrect consistency of solution. Usually the putty is brought to a paste-like consistency, sometimes to the mass of liquid sour cream. Too thin or thick material will lead to cracks and shrinkage.
5. Dry or non-greased surface. Typical for work in which no primer was used. If the base material is too porous and actively absorbs moisture, it must be moistened with water from a spray bottle and primed at least 2 hours before starting work. Otherwise the mass will crumple.
6. Incorrect primer. The primer material must be suitable for the type of room and putty. In wet rooms, antiseptic primer is used, for metal processing – anti-corrosion primer, in other cases – universal deep penetration or concrete contact (for concrete). If possible, choose a primer from the putty manufacturer.
7. Insufficient or excessive layer of putty. When applying too thin a layer, cracks form on the wall, and when applying a thick layer, bubbles and pores appear. The optimal thickness of the “start” is up to 2 mm, the “finish” is up to 1.5 mm. Check the information on the packaging.
8. Long break between puttying and priming. Primer left for longer than 12 hours will dry out and lose its adhesive properties. Puttying is optimal 4–6 hours after priming, sometimes less.
9. Incorrect selection of putty. The starting mixture must not be used as a finishing coat, and vice versa. Cement mortar is not suitable for painting, gypsum is suitable for initial work in interior spaces, polymer – in other cases.

Another reason for defects is when the solution is mixed incorrectly, contrary to the instructions. A decrease in the material’s performance characteristics can be caused by overly strong or weak mixer speeds, as well as by pouring water instead of the mixture gradually. Excess air in the solution causes bubbles or craters to form on the surface. The putty mass needs to be mixed again if it has solidified or thickened.

In most cases, once the mixture has dried or set in the container, it cannot be diluted with water. It has to be thrown away since it is useless.

An educational video on putty defects

How to fix cracked coating and other defects?

The methods used to fix flaws vary depending on the causes of the problems as well as the features of the base. Here are some tips for fixing cracks and removing putty from wallpaper.

If the surface cracks and delaminates

In 90% of cases, non-compliance with building codes and regulations during wall construction or foundation defects result in problems if puttying was done using technology. Defects that are sealed using the conventional method are very likely to recur. When applying a two-phase coating to seal "breathing" cracks, specific compounds must be used.

Technology and features:

• the defect is primed with penetrating dispersion primer with a high concentration of polymers;
• in the first phase, a permanently elastic polymer putty based on resins, calcium carbonate and fiber fiber is applied with a spatula;
• permanently elastic putty does not delaminate due to natural movements, vibrations and deformations of the base;
• does not require the use of reinforcing materials and subsequent grinding;
• has a milky color, so it is covered with the composition in the second phase for finishing;
• at the second stage, an ultra-light, non-shrinkable white putty paste is used to seal cracks;
• this paste dries within 2–3 hours and is completely ready for painting, wallpapering or plastering.

It is sufficient to use an ultra-light, non-shrinking putty to seal small cracks. The supplier Semin has the required material in stock. Leveled over the surface, both phases are laid one millimeter thick, interspersed with drying breaks. Following each layer of material, dispersion primer is applied. A trowel and a spatula are the only tools required.

Such a solution is not good for grinding due to the high concentration of resins and fibers in it. It is therefore imperative that the material be leveled right away before finishing, as unevenness cannot be fixed afterwards.

If the wallpaper comes off along with the putty coating

This peeling wallpaper has numerous causes.

• The first is the absence of a primer or its application more than 12 hours before the start of puttying.
• The second is improper dilution or application of glue, which wets the putty, causing it to peel off.
• Problems are possible in rooms with high humidity or with significant wall defects.

• if the wallpaper has peeled off at the joints, and no air bubbles have appeared in the middle of the canvas, then you can try to restore the seams;
• if the wallpaper peels off in the middle of the canvas, it is necessary to remove the putty and glue it again, following the technology and selecting high-quality materials;
• to restore the seams, clean the wallpaper joints from the putty layer and treat them with a penetrating primer with a small brush;
• Fill the gaps formed on the wall with a spatula with the finishing solution and leave until completely dry;
• the next day, treat the peeled joints with wallpaper glue or special glue for joints;
• for enhanced adhesion, the wall under the joint can be taped with paper tape for cash registers;
• let the glue on the wallpaper soak in for 2-3 minutes, apply the glue to the paper tape again;
• attach the canvas to the base, roll it with a plastic or rubber roller.

Maintain a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees, keep drafts at bay, and securely shut all windows and doors. Try carefully peeling off the wallpaper and re-gluing it if it peels off in a panel-like manner.

To remove the cause of the peeling, the walls need to be re-primed and puttied after the old putty is scraped off with a spatula. Even though aesthetics might suffer, you can still try.

Regular PVA should not be used to fix joints. With time, it will turn yellow and leave distinct marks on the wallpaper.

It is essential to comprehend the causes of putty flaws on walls in order to guarantee a seamless and long-lasting finish in any building or remodeling project. One of the main causes is poor surface preparation, wherein insufficient cleaning and leveling leave residues and uneven spots that affect the putty’s adhesion.

Environmental influences are also very important. Variations in humidity and temperature can lead to the putty drying too quickly or adhering improperly, which over time can cause cracking and flaking. It’s crucial to operate in the right environment and think about adding additives to change the drying times.

Inappropriate mixing ratios or the use of inferior materials are the source of another frequent problem. Selecting reliable brands and adhering to manufacturer instructions can help avoid problems like shrinkage and inadequate bonding, which will improve the quality of your walls.

Moreover, technique is very important. Surface imperfections and uneven drying can arise from excessively thick or uneven putty application. Applying in thin, even layers and using the appropriate tools encourages a smoother finish and lowers the possibility of flaws.

Furthermore, over time, structural settling and movement may cause gaps and cracks in walls. In order to stop recurring defects and preserve the integrity of the wall surface, it is imperative to address any underlying structural issues before applying putty.

Putty flaws can also result from insufficient drying and curing periods. Shrinkage and early cracking may result from rushing the process. A more flawless and long-lasting finish can be achieved by giving adequate time for final curing and between coats.

It’s also crucial to comprehend the various kinds of putty and which ones work best on which kinds of surfaces. Improper type selection can lead to inadequate adhesion and durability. Pick putties that are made especially for the material and circumstances in which they will be used.

Furthermore, adhesion issues and uneven drying can result from not priming surfaces before applying putty. Priming is an essential stage in the putty application process because it helps seal surfaces, enhances adhesion, and guarantees a uniform finish.

Last but not least, putty flaws can be found and fixed early on with the aid of routine maintenance and inspections, halting their progression over time. By being proactive, you can make sure that your walls stay strong, level, and visually beautiful for many years to come.

In this piece, we examine the typical causes of wall putty flaws and provide workable fixes to address them. It’s critical to comprehend these problems, which can stem from inadequate surface preparation, the use of subpar materials, or environmental elements like humidity. We examine twelve primary causes, from application mistakes to structural problems, and walk readers through the process of identifying and resolving each issue. Smoother, more durable wall finishes can be confidently achieved by homeowners and do-it-yourself enthusiasts by tackling these issues head-on and providing helpful explanations and advice.

Video on the topic

Restoring paint defects on a wall

The putty “bubbled”, what is the reason? A good example.

Why does the putty delaminate and move away from the wall along with the roller when painting??