If the cracks are moving wouldn't you like to why and how to prevent further movement?? Don't look for the remedy to the results, look for the solution to the problem.
the movement is related to temperature changes, what I think is very difficult to prevent.Therefore I am looking for a repairing system that allows the movement to occur , but prevents the crack to be visible to the user of the house.If you know anything about it, I woul be glad to know.
I don't think there is a solution right for your problem.
Unless you can create an expansion joint in a suitable position, in order to have the crack occurring at a predetermined location, you can only turn to some esthetic coverings, like wood or gypsum or some other products used for thermal insulation (may be used inside and/or outside,depending on product specifications). Of course you'll need to treat at least a complete wall.
[sig]<p>prex<br><a href=mailto:motori@xcalcs.com>motori@xcalcs.com</a><br><a href=
Naturally when we see a crack in the masonry wall it usually means that an expansion joint was needed and not provided. This occurs especially around windows and door frames. Short of putting such a joint in the wall and repairing or replacing that section necessary to all for the joint, you can cover it up as prex suggested. [sig][/sig]
Dear Qshake,
Thank you very much for your attention.
The cracks I´m talking about are a result of structure creep.After structural deformation occurs , remains a crack or sometimes several cracks in the masonry wall.Those cracks, although the deformation has stoped ,keep moving as a result of temperature changes.We have had some successful attempts using some PVC mesh under the painting and isolated from the wall , but I wonder if there is a better method. [sig][/sig]
Is this a concrete block wall or brick masonry? The cracks have manifest in the head and bed joints?
The problem has nothing to do with "creep", creep refers to short and long term deflection which commonly occurs in heavily loaded concrete or prestressed concrete.
I believe that the problem is either related to temperature/moisture or differential foundation settlement. A brick wall behaves much differently under environmental effects than one might think. A brick is constructed by removing moisture, thus a brick wall will actually "grow" over the lifetime of the structure as it absorbs water. The concrete foundation and mortar joints behave quite the opposite and shrink as part of the hydration process. Concrete blocks are much more compatible with the mortar and concrete obviously.
A house I once lived in had a concrete block basement walls. The house was located in a valley, in fact, several street sewer inlets were located on the road in front of the house. Every time there was a torrential downpour and the sewers backed up, there would be standing water near the basement wall. The soil would swell up and move the foundation only to cause large cracking (along the running bond) in the wall when the water table went down and the soil dried up. I mention this only as an example of what events can lead to cracking. A simple piering or underpinning would have corrected the problem. While I was there I tried a flexible silicon caulking (paintable) but to no avail. I should note that there were long periods wherein no movement occured and other times it moved quite abit.
I will keep an eye out for a remedy, but I am skeptical. [sig][/sig]
