Crack filling in Exeter
Professional crack filling services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£110
Typical Duration
1-2 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Cracks in walls and ceilings filled properly with the right filler, sanded smooth, and left invisible - ready for painting or just making the room look tidy again.
Those Annoying Cracks...
They've been bothering you for ages, haven't they? That crack above the door, the one running up the wall, ceiling cracks around the light fitting.
Old houses move. Plaster settles. Cracks happen. But they make a room look tired and unloved - even if everything else is perfect.
💡 Pro tip: Fill cracks before decorating, not after. Paint won't hide them - if anything, fresh paint makes cracks more obvious.
Why Most DIY Crack Filling Looks Rubbish
You've probably tried yourself with a tube from B&Q:
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ DIY Reality |
|---|---|
| Crack cleaned out and prepped | Dust and loose plaster left in |
| Right filler for the job | Wrong product, shrinks back |
| Flush with the wall, sanded smooth | Proud lumps or sunken dips |
| Invisible under paint | Obvious lines and edges |
It's about prep, product choice, and sanding - not just squeezing filler in.
What You Get
🔧 The Process
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assess | Check crack depth/cause, choose right filler |
| Prep | Crack cleaned out, loose material removed, dampened |
| Fill | Proper filler applied flush to wall |
| Sand | Dried filler sanded perfectly smooth |
| Dust | Area wiped clean, ready for paint |
📦 You're Left With
- Filled cracks invisible to touch
- Smooth surface ready to paint
- White patches (filler shows until painted)
- Honest advice if a crack needs more attention
Pricing Guide
| Amount of Cracks | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 small cracks | 1 hr | £60 |
| Multiple cracks, one room | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-£85 |
| Whole room/several areas | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Deep cracks needing multiple fills add time. Structural issues quoted separately.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Pre-decoration - get walls smooth before painting
✅ Selling your house - cracks put buyers off
✅ Post-settlement - new house has stopped moving, time to fill
✅ General tidying - just want smooth walls again
⚠️ Recurring cracks? Might be structural - I'll advise if you need a surveyor instead of filler.
Why Choose Us for Crack filling in Exeter?
Cracks filled flush with the wall
Sanded smooth so they disappear
Flexible filler that won't crack again
Ready for painting immediately after
What to Expect
Step 1: Assessment
I check each crack - how deep, why it's there, whether it's still moving. Some cracks need watching, some need investigating, most just need filling.
Step 2: Fill & Smooth
Crack gets cleaned out, right filler applied (flexible for movement areas, hard for solid walls), filled flush. Deep ones might need two applications.
Step 3: Sand & Finish
Once dry, I sand the filler perfectly flush with the wall. You won't feel it, just see the white filler patch until it's painted. Dust cleaned up, job done.
🔧 DIY Tips
Crack filling is DIY-able if you've got patience and the right products:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Filling knife (flexible blade)
- Scraper for prep
- Fine sandpaper or sanding block
- Damp cloth for cleanup
- Right filler for the job
📦 Choosing filler
- Quick-dry powder filler: Best for most wall cracks
- Ready-mixed fine surface filler: Easy to use, good for small cracks
- Flexible filler/caulk: For cracks that might move (around doors, coving)
- Deep gap filler: For anything over 5mm deep
🔧 The technique
- Rake out loose material with scraper
- Brush/hoover dust out of crack
- Dampen the crack (helps filler stick)
- Press filler firmly into crack
- Overfill slightly, scrape flush
- Let dry completely
- Sand smooth - this is where skill shows
- Wipe dust away
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Using caulk instead of filler (stays soft, can't sand smooth)
- Not cleaning the crack out first (filler won't stick)
- Underfilling (it shrinks as it dries)
- Sanding before it's properly dry (tears and smears)
- Wrong grit sandpaper (too coarse leaves scratches)
💡 Pro trick: For deep cracks, fill to halfway, let it dry and shrink, then fill flush and sand. Trying to fill a deep crack in one go just creates a sunken dip when it dries.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 About to decorate? Get cracks filled first. Your decorator can paint straight over dried, sanded filler. Much easier than working around cracks or filling between coats.
Whole house needs attention? Do all the crack filling in one visit. I'm already set up with tools and filler - more efficient than me coming back multiple times.
Older Exeter property? Victorian and Edwardian houses move and crack constantly - it's just what old plaster does. Some cracks are character, some need filling. I've seen hundreds of old houses and can advise what needs attention and what's just age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the cracks just come back after you fill them?
Depends why they're there. Hairline cracks from plaster settling or minor movement - filled properly with flexible filler, they stay gone. Deep cracks that keep reappearing might be structural movement - that needs investigating, not just filling over. I'll tell you honestly if a crack needs more than filler.
Can you fill cracks before the decorator comes?
Yes - that's exactly when to do it. I fill, sand smooth, and dust off. Your decorator can paint straight over. Much neater than decorating around cracks. Some decorators do their own filling, some prefer it done beforehand - worth checking with yours.
What's the difference between caulk and filler?
Caulk is flexible, stays soft-ish, good for gaps that might move slightly (coving edges, skirting). Filler is hard, sandable, good for cracks in solid walls. Most wall cracks need filler. Some people use caulk for everything - wrong product for the job and it shows.
Do you paint over the filler afterwards?
I can if you want me to (that becomes a painting job too). Usually I just fill and sand smooth, ready for you or your decorator to paint. Filler shows as white patches until painted - totally normal. Let me know if you want me to paint too and I'll quote accordingly.
How long does filler take to dry?
Quick-dry filler is usually sandable in 30-60 minutes. Deep cracks might need two applications - fill most of it, let it shrink, top up, sand smooth. Can usually be painted the same day or next day. I'll let you know the timeline when I see the cracks.
Crack filling Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your crack filling job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
Why Trust Us
Need Crack filling in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your crack filling job in Exeter today.