Walls in the Bronx are as likely to be plaster as drywall. Plaster cracks along ceilings and over doors, bulges when it lets go of the lath and stains when the apartment above leaks. We repair both materials, prime the patches and paint the whole wall so the repair does not show.
Bronx walls come in three kinds. Buildings from before the Second World War have plaster on wood lath or directly on masonry. Mid century buildings often have plaster over gypsum board. Newer construction and renovated apartments have drywall. Each one fails differently, and a patch made the wrong way shows through paint as a ridge, a dull spot or a new crack. At the estimate we tap and press the damaged area to learn what is behind the paint.
Leaks cause most of the damage we see: a radiator valve, a bathtub above, a roof drain or a window that lets rain in. The leak must be fixed first, and that is the building's or the plumber's job. Then we cut out soft material, let the area dry, patch with new board or setting compound, tape the joints and apply thin coats of joint compound, sanding between them. Water stains are sealed with a stain blocking primer.
Small holes from doorknobs, anchors and old cable lines are a short visit. Loose plaster, long ceiling cracks and whole walls that need skim coating take more than one day because every coat has to dry. Sanding makes fine dust, so we close off the room and cover vents and floors. In buildings from before 1978 we use lead safe methods when old paint is cut or sanded. A patch needs primer, and then the whole wall is painted.
Drywall repair in Bronx: common questions
The crack over my door keeps coming back. Can it be fixed for good?
Cracks at door corners follow movement in the building. We open the crack, bed mesh or paper tape across it in setting compound and feather it wide. That holds far better than filler alone, though a building that keeps moving can reopen any repair.
Part of my ceiling is sagging. Is that a painting job?
Sagging plaster has come loose from its lath and can fall. Keep clear of it and tell your landlord or super. We can take down the loose section and rebuild it once the cause is known.
Who pays for wall damage from a leak upstairs in a rental?
In a rental the owner is generally responsible for repairs. We cannot give legal advice. Report the leak in writing, and if it is not fixed, New York City tenants can call 311.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.