How should we approach renovating a room that has been neglected for years and is in need of repair?
Asked by Viljami Kumpula 
3 weeks ago
Last Updated: October 30, 2024
We’re looking to renovate this room that has been neglected for a while. Here’s what we came across. Any ideas on how to tackle this?
Consider using self-setting rubber caulk to seal the crack.
I see your point, I’m assuming you’re referring to the concrete floor instead of an unpainted plaster wall.
Confirmed that it’s indeed the concrete floor in the basement.
Looks like a piece of plaster is missing. Cut a sheet rock piece to fit, tape all the seams, apply at least 3 coats of dry wall compound. Check out some videos to see the finishing process.
Pointed out that it’s a crack, not just missing plaster.
Add sand and keep going
Get some plaster from Ace to fill in that gap.
Smooth it out by sanding.
Then apply drywall tape and mud over the crack, finishing it off with a top coat. Finish up with a final sanding and paint.
You don’t need to tape solid plaster cracks, only gyprock sheets need to be taped since they are screwed into timber or steel.
Huh? Well, when it comes to a plaster wall, you’ve gotta stick with plaster.
Is mistaken, it is indeed plaster. In my line of work, solid plaster is never taped.
I’ve been at it for 45 years like and I’ve never experienced a crack in the same spot.
The floor is actually made of concrete, not plaster as previously mentioned by the author.
Is that a wall or a floor? It seems like concrete to me. If it is, then our drywall recommendations won’t apply.
William mentions having a concrete floor in the basement
Determining the appropriate repair method depends on the desired outcome for the flooring.
If the goal is simply to seal it, applying a silicone patch with a caulking gun is a simple and efficient solution.
For installing a finished floor like vinyl, composite floating, or tile, leveling cement should be used.
If sanding, grinding, or staining is planned, an angle grinder can be used to even out the crack before patching it with ‘cement patch’.
William expresses gratitude!
If I purchased a vacant property, I’d inspect each room separately to ensure there’s no mold, and then I’d patch up and move forward.
It appears that the issue is a cracked concrete slab in the top left corner of the photo. Start by removing the paint. Fill the crack with a rubberized caulk and ensure it is leveled. It seems there is mold due to water accumulation. Address the mold, waterproof both the wall and the slab, and investigate the cause of the crack which may be related to water seepage in the basement.
Yes, , there’s a concrete floor in the basement.
Make sure to clean and purchase a compound that helps old concrete adhere to new concrete – consider using hydraulic cement or a specialized strong concrete for this purpose. It also appears to be uneven. Luckily, it’s an easy fix if you do your research. You’ll appreciate the effort and learning process 👍
Check out these products that offer a kit for repairing cracked concrete:
https://www.sika.com/en/construction/concrete-repair.html
I am currently dealing with a similar situation but on a larger scale. I removed the drywall 4 feet up and took out the plywood subfloor and flooring. Planning to fill cracks with self-leveling concrete and lay down tile after replacing the toilet flange.
The kitchen wasn’t looking much better…haha
Oh my goodness… it’s a wall corner. Fill the crack with some 20-minute speed set or similar joint compound, then tape the cracks and corners with pre-mixed multi-purpose joint compound as you would for finishing drywall. There are plenty of YouTube videos available to guide you.
I just removed some loose plaster containing 3/8 wall board and tape mud – you’re all set. Personally, I don’t recommend trying to reattach plaster as it will likely come loose again.
There are numerous possible answers, many of which are incorrect. This is not drywall; it is actually a concrete slab with a few different options available to you.
For a quick and inexpensive solution, consider mixing some leveling compound or quikrete to fill and smooth over the crack.
For a more effective fix, carefully excavate around the footer, raise the corner slightly, support it, and then recement it using rebar.
Yes, . That concrete floor is indeed in the basement.
Hey there anonymous participant, you have a couple of options to address it. Considering it’s a basement floor tucked in a corner like that, I’d suggest floating it and moving on. I highly doubt it will lead to any significant damage to anything else.
The crack location indicates that the rebar or wire didn’t extend all the way to the edge. It’s not perfect, but it’s not a disaster either.
Have you noticed any cracks in the basement walls? I recommend getting a foundation contractor to assess the cause. Foundation cracks are usually common, but be cautious if you see a crack running across a corner. It could indicate a bigger issue.
From what I can tell, , there don’t seem to be any cracks on the walls.
An anonymous participant mentioned that’s a good observation. It might be isolated, but that corner appears to be a bit low – it would be wise to have it inspected to potentially save you a lot of trouble in the future!
Apply rubberized caulk and raise the drywall off the floor by about half an inch. Use a multi-tool to trim the bottom of the drywall so it doesn’t touch the floor.
Seems a little structural… been like that for quite a while. Remove the crack, patch it up with mud and tape. It might crack again, but that’s normal.
It would be useful to know what you plan on using it for… or what issue you’re experiencing with it.
Hey , we’re thinking about painting and having new carpet installed. I was just curious about how to address this before the new carpet is put in.
You know, a good option could be self-leveling urethane caulk. It’s commonly used for concrete cracks and it’s really tough.
Hey, thanks a lot !
Fill up with hydro concrete
Epoxy resin
Seems like there’s a moisture issue too
Ensure that the gutters are clear, the ground slopes away from the house, and the downspouts divert water away from the wall. Finish off by adding a bit of floor leveler, laying down the carpet, and you’re good to go.
Remove any debris from the crack and prepare some plaster to fill it in smoothly. I prefer to widen the crack a bit. For small cracks, plaster of Paris works well as it dries quickly.
Try using Akona Vinyl concrete patch to fill in the crack. Apply Dap 230 caulk, but be sure to stop about 1″ below the top. Then, use the patch to bring the level up.