ᐅ Request for professional assessment (uncertainty after plastering work)
Created on: 12 Jan 2026 19:00
M
martin_bingM
martin_bing12 Jan 2026 19:00On December 17, repair work was carried out on the living room wall of my rental apartment. The reason was two large cracks caused by the gutting of a neighboring bunker (visible in photos 1 & 2). After removing the wallpaper, it became clear that the cracks extended quite deep into the masonry. During further inspection, it was also found that the wall sounded hollow in several areas.
Originally, as agreed, a targeted examination or opening of specific affected areas was planned. Instead, the wall was fully covered on both sides with a reinforcing mesh and then coated with a cement- or concrete-like filler (photos 3 & 4). Since I have no technical knowledge, it is difficult for me to judge whether this approach is common in such cases. It seems rather extensive compared to the original cracks, which makes me uncertain.
The work was carried out by tilers, not by a mason or plasterer. Here, too, I wonder — without any accusation — whether this approach is professionally correct or if usually a different trade would be responsible.
Currently, the wall still appears partly damp in places (photos 5-8). At the same time, wallpapering is planned this week. This makes me even more uncertain because I cannot assess whether the substrate will have dried sufficiently by then or whether this could cause problems later (e.g., new cracks or detachment).
I would very much appreciate an objective professional assessment, especially regarding the following points:
Originally, as agreed, a targeted examination or opening of specific affected areas was planned. Instead, the wall was fully covered on both sides with a reinforcing mesh and then coated with a cement- or concrete-like filler (photos 3 & 4). Since I have no technical knowledge, it is difficult for me to judge whether this approach is common in such cases. It seems rather extensive compared to the original cracks, which makes me uncertain.
The work was carried out by tilers, not by a mason or plasterer. Here, too, I wonder — without any accusation — whether this approach is professionally correct or if usually a different trade would be responsible.
Currently, the wall still appears partly damp in places (photos 5-8). At the same time, wallpapering is planned this week. This makes me even more uncertain because I cannot assess whether the substrate will have dried sufficiently by then or whether this could cause problems later (e.g., new cracks or detachment).
I would very much appreciate an objective professional assessment, especially regarding the following points:
- Is a hollow-sounding plaster in this condition properly repairable?
- Is a full-surface reinforcement mesh typical in such a case?
- Do the choice of materials and execution seem generally reasonable?
- How critical is wallpapering on a still slightly damp substrate?
M
martin_bing12 Jan 2026 19:16Rumbi441 schrieb:
Why do you want to know all this if you are a tenant?Even as a tenant, I live with the results. The construction differs from what was initially promised, and the wall still seems damp at the moment. I just want to have an expert assess whether this is normal.Similar topics