Finish carpenter trying help a client.

[cniverson]

The job I'm currently working on has small fissure cracks in the ceiling along most tapered seams and some butt seams. The customer plans on painting the ceiling. Would she make matters worse by caulking the cracks before painting? I gave her our drywall sub's number, but like most, money is tight. She is not asking me to do anything, but I would like to warn her if she is making matters worse with a "cheap" fix. The walls do not have any cracks and I went up the attic and did not see any signs of moisture damage. I'm guessing it's just a poor finish job. Thanks for any help.

[Kgphoto]

Maybe a poor hang job too. Better to get the subs in to check and do the repair properly.

[DSJOHN NH]

You sure its drywall or is it plaster, Wire[diamond] mesh installed wrong will always crack,they need to fix it with NU-WALL ,I found out years ago that repairing the cracks on this type[plaster] will not hold up unless its done with NU-WALL,just my 2cents worth

[Capt-sheetrock]

If its drywall, you will probbly find that it was taped with mesh tape. If so, there is no other fix than redoing with paper. If its plaster you need to ask DSJohn.

[mudmastah]

I assume its drywall as you say on tapers & butts, It is IMO fiberglass taped with bucket mud. I had to look up "fissure" & one example was a long deep crack. Do you have a hair line cracks running with the seam? If so thats my opinion & experience. & if that is the case, re-tape with paper & finish out or as John & Craig stated. You will see the caulking when painted unless you are really good @ it, no dig intended. You could try to re-coat with bag mix heatset mud but its best to re-tape with paper. Fiberglass tape gets more people in trouble than anything in the drywall world. Peace, muddy

www.themudmasters.com

[DSJOHN NH]

Mesh = huge headache we need bumper stickers-------real tapers use paper

[mudmastah]

Right on John... its groovy!. Mesh has it place, just not in the hands of someone that knows nothing aboout it! & sales people @ the box stores that have never used the stuff! Ha! Peace, muddy.

www.themudmasters.com

[cniverson]

Thanks all, for good advice. I will advise the customer to call our drywall sub before painting.

[Kgphoto]

Make sure you are there when they repair it and report back to us whether or not it was mesh or paper tape.