As the weather starts to cool, September is a good time to get those indoor decorating jobs sorted.

Before reaching for the paint, take a proper look at your walls. Small cracks, old fixing holes and damaged areas are much easier to deal with before decorating than after you've applied a fresh coat of paint.

Prepare the Surface First

Good preparation makes a difference to the finished repair.

Remove loose or flaking material and brush away dust and debris. The area you're repairing should be sound, clean and dry before applying filler.

If there's damp or moisture affecting the wall, identify and deal with the cause before carrying out the repair.

Choose the Right Filler for the Repair

Not every filler is designed for the same job.

Fine surface cracks and small imperfections can often be repaired with a fine surface filler, while deeper holes require a filler rated for the depth of the repair.

Cracks that keep reappearing due to movement may require a flexible filling system rather than a standard filler.

Always check the manufacturer's instructions for suitable surfaces, filling depth and application requirements before starting.

How to Fill a Crack or Hole

1. Remove Loose Material

Carefully scrape away loose paint, plaster and any failed old filler from the repair.

2. Clean the Area

Brush away dust and debris so you're applying the filler to a sound surface.

3. Apply the Filler

Use a filling knife or suitable applicator to work the filler into the crack or hole.

Try to leave the repair as level as possible with the surrounding wall to make finishing easier.

4. Allow It to Dry

Give the filler enough time to dry before moving on.

Drying times vary between products and can also depend on the depth of the repair and surrounding conditions, so follow the manufacturer's instructions for the filler you're using.

5. Finish the Surface

Once sufficiently dry, sand the repair if required by the product and remove any dust before painting or decorating.

Need a Filler for Everyday Repairs?

One option for common repair jobs is Sika One Strike Filler.

According to Sika, One Strike Filler is suitable for filling gaps and holes in plaster, brick, stone, wood and render, and can be used for both interior and exterior applications.

Sika states that it can fill holes up to 75mm deep and 50mm wide in a single application.

Sanding isn't normally required, although the cured filler can be sanded if necessary. Sika also states that it can be ready to paint or wallpaper in around 30 minutes depending on the depth of the repair and ambient conditions.

Get the Preparation Right Before Painting

Fresh paint won't necessarily disguise cracks, holes and damaged areas underneath.

Taking the time to prepare the surface and choose a filler that's suitable for the size and type of repair can help you achieve a much cleaner finish.

So, before starting your next autumn decorating job, fill first, decorate second.

1. Remove loose material
Scrape away loose paint, plaster and any failed old filler.

2. Clean the area
Brush away dust so you're applying the filler to a sound surface rather than loose debris.

3. Apply your filler
Use a filling knife or suitable applicator to work the filler properly into the repair. Avoid leaving unnecessary excess around the surrounding wall.

4. Leave it to dry
Drying times vary considerably between fillers, particularly depending on the depth of the repair and conditions. Follow the instructions for your chosen product.

5. Finish the surface
Once dry, sand if the product requires it and remove any dust before decorating.

A Quick Option for Everyday Repairs

For common decorating repairs, Sika One Strike Filler is suitable for gaps and holes in plaster, brick, stone, wood and render, and can be used indoors and outdoors.

Sika states that it can fill holes up to 75mm deep and 50mm wide in a single application. Sanding isn't normally required, although it can be sanded if needed.

That makes it a useful option for everything from old fixing holes to deeper areas of damaged plaster.

Get the Preparation Right Before Painting

A fresh coat of paint won't hide every defect. In fact, cracks, dents and poorly repaired holes can become even more noticeable once the wall has been decorated.

Spend a little extra time on preparation, choose the right filler for the repair and get the surface smooth before you start painting.