textured ceiling compound cracking


  #1  
Old 11-26-07, 07:45 PM
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textured ceiling compound cracking

Hello
I'm having a problem with textured ceiling cracking. We're using Wel-Cote texture compound and applying with a 4 inch taping knife. The first night, we did about 1/4 of the room and found cracks in the morning. I re-read the bucket, and didn't find anything that we had done wrong. we are applying it over a scraped popcorn spray. The room is about 58 degrees, virtually no humidity (29%). I'm not running a dehumidifyer or doing anything to accelerate the drying. We chipped out the bad areas, did the next 1/3 of the room.... Same thing, different day.
Any ideas? We aren't applying too thick - the bucket says 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick.
 
  #2  
Old 11-27-07, 03:37 AM
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I'm not familiar with WelCote but it sure sounds like too heavy an application which causes the mud to crack as it dries and shrinks.. The low humidity might be adding to the problem. Priming the ceiling first might stop the problem by slowing down the drying time.
 
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Old 11-27-07, 04:53 AM
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Thanks. I'll prime the next time we do a textured application.
 
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Old 11-27-07, 05:19 PM
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I also would try priming and then test.
 
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Old 11-28-07, 06:43 AM
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I did primer a couple of areas and texture - still the same results.
 
  #6  
Old 11-28-07, 07:02 AM
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Assuming your texture is joint compound or similiar based, the cracks are caused by shrinkage during drying. If you can't cure the problem by slowing down the drying time you must apply it thinner.
 
 

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