Is this too big for polyfilla?

[u/onlyhereforthesnoots]

Probably a stupid question but I’ve tried googling it but I can only find reference to how deep you can fill rather than how wide. I’ve never filled more than small screw holes with it so no idea what’s possible. We had a baby gate mounted in this archway between rooms and it was attached to a piece of wood as it got pulled out of the wall previously. Now it’s no longer needed I’ve pulled it off but I’d underestimated how much no more nails my husband put underneath and it’s pulled the plaster off. Husband is currently in bed after a night shift and I’m wondering if there’s any way to try to remedy this before he gets up!

[u/AtillaThePundit]

Toupret ! It’s always the answer , except when it isn’t but it is in this case

[u/IndelibleIguana → u/AtillaThePundit]

People who fill are people who use Toupret.

[u/TheLightStalker → u/AtillaThePundit]

Two kinds of people. Those who know about Toupret and those still making the pilgrimage.

[u/Haggis-in-wonderland → u/TheLightStalker]

I'm gna go home and kick a hole in my wall so I can be baptised.

[u/TheLightStalker → u/Haggis-in-wonderland]

Hallelujah! 🙏

[u/elhadjimurad → u/TheLightStalker]

No, 3 kinds, you forgot "those still saving up to afford a box of the stuff"...

[u/paulyp79 → u/elhadjimurad]

Four kinds of people, those who go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line

[u/Independent-Sort-376 → u/elhadjimurad]

It's not even expensive, it's great quality and generally a great product, some of their variants might be more expensive than typical brands but you get what you pay for, it's what I'd go to every time

[u/kwik_e_marty → u/TheLightStalker]

Til about toupret. Hope it's good

[u/AtillaThePundit → u/kwik_e_marty]

Ready mix shrinks more than the powder.

[u/kwik_e_marty → u/AtillaThePundit]

I'm used to using easifill is this better?

[u/AtillaThePundit → u/TheLightStalker]

It’s got the wrong name, it should be called no1Pret

[u/cbe29 → u/TheLightStalker]

I filled a huge crack from ceiling to floor and wall to wall with toupret ready mixed. Within 1 month crack crack albeit hairline was back. Very disappointed in toupret

[u/JFedererJ → u/AtillaThePundit]

Which one? There's lots of different "Toupret" products... I might be in a similar boat to OP.

[u/TheLightStalker → u/JFedererJ]

Standard classic red box interior filler.

[u/AtillaThePundit → u/JFedererJ]

As per u/TheLightStalker says

[u/FunkyPepper234]

Pollyfilla or easifill is fine for that , though do it in two hits , fill it up level , leave it to dry for a couple of days , it may well shrink . Light rub down then skim over it again leaving it slightly proud , let it fully dry , sand flat.

[u/DBT85 → u/FunkyPepper234]

Easifil for me. Always got some handy and it's great stuff.

[u/66666666666666665 → u/DBT85]

As a decorator I don't know any other decorators that don't have some easy fill on hand. Drys insanely fast depending on the product and sands down a dream. Aslong as you remember it was made for dry lining and will sag with very large holes it's a brilliant product.

[u/S1ckJim]

Yeah, I rate Toupret for jobs like that.

[u/takenawaythrowaway]

I've used polyfilla on something that big, but I probably shouldn't have, used a lot of polyfilla and took forever to dry. Looks ok now though has lasted 3 years and isn't showing any signs of falling off!

[u/alex8339 → u/takenawaythrowaway]

Polyfilla is tough stuff

[u/Responsible-Today-47]

No job is to big for polyfilla

[u/nanomeister → u/Responsible-Today-47]

Yep - I built my entire house out of it

[u/Least_Initiative → u/nanomeister]

Expanding foam for the doors i assume? Cut it out and reapply whenever you need to leave

[u/Super_Potential9789 → u/nanomeister]

You sure you didn’t build it with screed?

[u/v1de0man]

how deep is it? 10mm? enough to cut a regular shape then infill with a piece of 9.5mm plasterboard then skim over it. if you was to use pollyfilla as you have some left over do not try and do it in one go. There are better fillers out there for deeper holes

[u/JustDifferentGravy → u/v1de0man]

This is how I’d do it. Cut it to square, fill with plasterboard and skim to finish. Easy sand if you’re skimming isn’t up to scratch.

[u/National-Dentist2643 → u/v1de0man]

OP, This is the way.

[u/Individual-Titty780 → u/v1de0man]

This finger 🖕

[u/onlyhereforthesnoots]

Thanks for everyone’s replies. Sorry probably should’ve added dimensions, it’s about 30cm x 13cm but really shallow - probably like 2-3mm deep. Looks like I’m off to B&Q!

[u/FunkyPepper234 → u/onlyhereforthesnoots]

Imho , get powdered filler , premixed stuff can be a nightmare to sand off.

[u/Salad_Fingers666 → u/onlyhereforthesnoots]

Yeah, powdered filler is better as it doesn’t require air to set.. therefore setting muuuuch quicker than premixed, especially when deep like this

[u/Lankygiraffe25]

Yes. As others have said- toutpret or a premix plaster will likely be better here

[u/bigvernuk]

Easyfill

[u/Substantial_Dot7311]

Easifill plaster or similar

[u/AlligatorHater22]

I used Easifill - as most have said. Do it in 2 passes.

First pass to fill the gap and then a second which I made slightly thinner to finish better. Sanded it down checked for shrinkage and then primed, painted fine.

[u/LittleRaisin9069]

Looks like there is a lot of loose bits still around the edge.. to need to gently chip back until it's solid.

Might be able to build out in filler, but I'd bet it'll need a skim of bonding or plaster

[u/pjvenda]

From personal amateur experience, who has gone through polifilla and toupret but nothing more advanced, my suggestion is that yes it fills with this kind of plaster. Expect to go back to fill in voids a couple times maybe, and have a way to flatten that wide a surface, maybe with the help of a straight edge or something... Good luck.

[u/HLLDex]

Nothing is too big for polyfilla!

[u/Gyp51ndicus]

Nothing is too big for polyfill

[u/Visual_Parsley54321]

I’d say if it’s less than 10mm deep- Polyfilla One but leave a couple of mm, once dry Toupret Jointing and Skimming

If it’s 10mm I’d stick some plaster board in there then Toupret

[u/WeeNezz]

My house is almost entirely held together with Polyfilla so I think you’ll be fine in this case.

[u/rogue-nebula]

I've filled bigger holes than that with pollyfiller, including patching a massive water stain in the ceiling. Although it was a house that I was moving out of.

[u/Evening_Common2824]

Not if you have enough...

[u/Wonderful_Garbage_39]

Pollyfilled an entire wall once lol

[u/Ok_Giraffe_6063]

Hang a mirror over, out of sight, out of mind

[u/RaynerFenris]

Might take a few layers, but you can do it.

[u/barbaric-sodium]

Nothing is too big for polyfilla

[u/Cainjake]

Probably bonding to build it out then poly filla for top coat and sand

[u/haikusbot → u/Cainjake]

Probably bonding

To build it out then poly filla

For top coat and sand

- Cainjake

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[u/Super_Potential9789]

Screed it

[u/National-Dentist2643]

Poly / Toupret will work but you may have to revisit to fill cracks at a later date.

Proper way would be infill with plasterboard, scrim tape joints and then fill & sand 2x, prime and paint. If the filler blisters/ bubbles rake it, fill, then prime & paint.

[u/biggynelson]

Wrap a body in plastic shove into the gap then add your filler

[u/Ill-Case-6048]

Tradeset 45

[u/GeneralComposer5885]

Need a banana for scale 🍌

[u/imlearningworld]

Just get the Screwfix own brand. Used it and it’s smooth like gyproc easyfill

[u/SadMap7915]

Fix it before your husband wakes up? Screw in a coat hook above it and hang your coat there.

[u/Tired-of-this-world]

nope did one about 4 times the size of that with Polyfilla and had no issues with it.

[u/RealPower5621]

no hole is too big for polyfilla. truth fact.

[u/jamiexscottt]

Definitely not a polyfilla job. Get a tub of ready mixed plaster and fill it in with that!

[u/Code_Crazy_420 → u/jamiexscottt]

Agreed. I think there’s a mix that is easily sanded down. Not sure what it’s called.

[u/bagleface]

Not if you got 8 bags of it

[u/eesmash]

easifill powder

[u/Bruce-Partington]

Unpopular opinion: no hole/gap is too big or deep for Polyfilla or Toupret

[u/Negative-Oil-4135]

It’ll shrink and crack when it dries, but you can just do another pass

[u/Possible_Ad_9670]

get the bit that came out and stick it back in using toothpaste

[u/Qindaloft]

Use bonding to fill in main space. Then use filler as a top coat and sand it back smooth and blend it in. Then paint it.

[u/YoullDoNuttinn]

No way I’d be using filler there, it’s way too much. It’d take forever to dry, would look shit and if anyone put their hand on it it’d cave in. I’d bond it out and skim, or use a thick coat of multi. Make sure you get rid of all the loose stuff first.

[u/PolizeiW124-Guy]

Cool him a hearty breakfast to soften the blow.

Looks a bit much for just filler, try and salvage some of the larger pieces of removed plaster to fill the gaps, a bit of glue to hold them in place will help, then fill the remaining gaps with filler.

If you can’t salvage any, a scrap piece of plaster or any material would do for a quick fix, as long as it’s not too thick and sticks prouder than the original wall.