Repair & maintenance
Render Crack Repair
Diagnosing and repairing hairline, map and structural cracking in existing render.
Not all cracks mean the same thing. Fine map-cracking across a whole panel is usually shrinkage in the render itself and is largely cosmetic. A single straight crack running diagonally from a window corner is telling you the building is moving. Horizontal cracking at a consistent height often follows a failed bell-cast or a bridged DPC. The repair is only correct once the cause is identified.
We survey and map the cracking first, then match the repair to the mechanism. Shrinkage cracking is best dealt with by a reinforced mesh skim across the full elevation, which spreads future movement rather than concentrating it. Movement cracking needs the movement accommodated — stitching, a properly formed movement joint, or a flexible system that can take the strain. If the pattern suggests genuine structural movement we will tell you plainly and recommend a structural engineer before any render goes near it.
When it is the right choice. Choose crack repair when the render is otherwise sound and well-bonded but cracking is letting water in or spoiling the appearance.
Specification at a glance
| Typical guide price | £55–£95 per m² supplied and installed |
|---|---|
| Applied thickness | Localised |
| Curing / drying | 2-5 days |
| Guarantee | 10 years |
| Category | Repair & maintenance |
Guide prices are indicative only and exclude scaffold, stripping and repairs. Your written quote follows a free survey.
What is included
- Crack mapping and diagnosis
- Distinguishes cosmetic from structural
- Stitching and mesh reinforcement
- Flexible fillers where movement continues
- Movement joint installation
- Full-elevation mesh skim option
- Colour-matched top coat
- Structural referral where needed
- Before and after documentation
- 10-year workmanship guarantee
Get a quote for render crack repair
Tell us about the property and we will call you back to arrange a survey.
What happens next
Four steps from enquiry to finished wall
Free survey
We visit, test the substrate, measure up and identify what caused any existing failure.
Written quote
An itemised fixed price with the system named, materials specified and scaffold included.
Booked in
An agreed start date, scaffold arranged, and a clear run of days set aside for your job.
Finished and guaranteed
Site cleared, scaffold struck, guarantee documents and system warranty issued.
Coverage
Render Crack Repair by county
We carry out render crack repair across all 74 counties below. Pick yours to see local detail.
East of England
South East
South West
North West
North East
East Midlands
Yorkshire
London
West Midlands
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
FAQs
Render Crack Repair — your questions
Are hairline cracks in render serious?
Usually not on their own — fine shrinkage cracking is common and cosmetic. It matters because it lets water in behind the render, which then causes the serious failure.
What causes cracks in render?
Shrinkage during curing, an over-strong mix, thermal movement, missing movement joints, substrate movement, or genuine structural movement. The pattern tells you which.
Can you just fill the cracks?
Filling alone rarely lasts, because the movement that caused the crack is still there. Mesh reinforcement or a proper movement joint gives a repair that holds.
When do cracks mean structural problems?
Diagonal cracks from window and door corners, cracks wider than about 5mm, cracks that are visibly growing, or cracking matched by internal cracking. Those need a structural engineer, not a renderer.
How long before I can paint new render?
Through-coloured systems need no painting at all. Sand and cement should cure for around 28 days before masonry paint goes anywhere near it.
Do you take a deposit?
For most domestic jobs we take a deposit to cover materials and scaffold, with the balance on completion. Terms are set out clearly in the written quote.
Can you match my existing render?
Usually, yes. We colour and texture match as closely as we can, though weathered render never matches a fresh batch exactly — we will be honest about how visible a patch will be.
Thinking about render crack repair?
Book a free survey and we will confirm whether it is right for your walls before you commit.