So our house needs paint pretty badly, but unfortunately due to being old and sitting on land that has settled considerably since it was built, it has cracks. Big 'ol horizontal ones. We know we need to fill these before we paint, and we know roughly how we're supposed to do that, but what we can't seem to find good intel on is what kind of product we need to fill the cracks with.
Every resource I've found has either been content marketing or repairs for the wrong area of the house. Does anybody here have experience with patching horizontal cracks on exterior concrete block walls? TiA!
I "repaired" the cracks two times of our exterior wall. They kept coming back. It was frustrating. Lot of settling happens, given the hilly area. Given it is on the exterior entrance, it is very visible and I hate looking at it.
During covid, when I built my sunroom (huge thread on here titled backyard ) and redid my pool, I did stone veneer on front. Now never have to see cracks again.
SV reX
MegaDork
4/3/23 3:16 p.m.
How big are they?
The big question with masonry cracks is always how out of line with each other are the 2 surfaces of the masonry on either side of the crack?
If you are seeing hairline cracks and the area above the crack is in the same plane as the area below the crack, that's basic shrinkage and settling. You can fill it with any sealant (preferably something elastic) and paint it.
If you have 1/4" cracks, or if the area above the crack is standing proud of the area below the crack by 1/4" or more, you have a structural problem that won't be fixed with caulk.
SV reX
MegaDork
4/3/23 3:17 p.m.
In reply to mr2s2000elise :
Your cracks are still there. They are just hidden behind rocks.
In reply to SV reX :
Yup. I live in the land of plastic surgery - so it suits me just fine 
I will cautiously suggest that what this thread needs is some crack pix.
In reply to SV reX :
The people from Australia selling/making locomotives in the USA at Electromotive specify Sikaflex. Great products you use in confidence.
I work at a port and we use Sikaflex all day long on shipping containers. That stuff is awesome.
SV reX
MegaDork
4/3/23 5:03 p.m.
Yes, but Sikaflex wont do anything for a structural issue.
I've used a guy in the Chicago area for concrete wall cracks. I'm not sure if yours but I've been happy with the epoxy fixes.
Is it actually exposed block or is stuccoed over?
My house is block and covered in stucco. The stucco had some hairline cracks that were covered with Sikaflex like SV reX mentioned. Still ok 10 years later, but some new ones appeared.
Pictures of the cracks might help.
Thanks, everyone. Been hard to post because I was having technical issues and ended up having to get a new computer. Technology is fun.
To answer a few questions:
The cracks are definitely not structural, but we're worried about water coming in since hurricane season is a thing and just generally want to prevent more/worse wear from happening in those areas.
Also, house is exposed block, no stucco. Midcentury construction, circa 1967.
Based on the information here and elsewhere, I think a flexible polyurethane product is the way to go. Anybody have experience with painting over that stuff?
SV reX
MegaDork
4/5/23 1:38 p.m.
In reply to Nicole Suddard :
You will need to read the label of both the sealant and the paint and follow manufacturer's instructions.
SV reX
MegaDork
4/5/23 1:41 p.m.
In reply to Nicole Suddard :
Not trying to beat a dead horse, but how are you certain they are not structural? "Big 'ol horizontal" cracks often are...
In reply to SV reX :
Because they're on my house and both I and Tom have scrutinized them and agonized over them quite a bit.
I think a touch of hyperbole like that is pretty normal when casually describing something that seems intimidating.
In reply to SV reX :
Yes.
Got any photos of the cracks?
Silkaflex is good stuff. I don't think you want the self leveling type for a wall.
In reply to VolvoHeretic :
No pictures at the moment. Tom might have some. He works from home, I don't.
I've got no input on the cracks, but this thread has made me realize any offers of pizza and beer from you and Tom in the near future should be questioned. Gotta make sure I don't accidentally end up at a family house painting party.
SV reX
MegaDork
4/5/23 2:28 p.m.
In reply to Nicole Suddard :
Ok, before I get too confused...
Is your husband's name Tom too?
Nicole is married to Tom.
In reply to SV reX :
Some family tree clarification, since weddings and name changes have made things confusing in the past few years:
Tom Suddard is my husband, I was Nicole Tropea before we got married. Chris Tropea is my brother, Katie Wilson (Tom's sister, previously Katie Suddard) is my sister-in-Law. Tim Suddard and Margie Suddard are my father-in-law and mother-in-law.
Oh and for another fun layer, I married Miles Wilson who used to work for us!
