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Defect library

Walls & ceilings defects in new builds

Fresh plaster and plasterboard move as a new house dries out, so small cracks and nail pops in the first year are expected. The entries below separate that normal shrinkage from damp patches, sagging ceilings and impact damage, which need a closer look.

Updated 19 October 2026

SiteSnag’s library has 19 entries under walls & ceilings. They’re listed below with the most serious first. Each one gives the wording an inspector would put in a report and the trade that would fix it, and 14 carry a reference to the standard or guidance they relate to. The references help you look up the relevant section and aren’t a statement that a particular home does or doesn’t comply.

All 19 entries

  1. Damp patch / staining

    Major

    Damp patch or water staining visible. Investigate source and rectify before making good.

    Trade
    Builder
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 9.2

  2. Mould growth

    Major

    Mould growth visible, indicating condensation or damp. Investigate cause, treat and improve ventilation.

    Trade
    Builder
    Reference
    Approved Document F

  3. Ceiling sagging / bowed

    Major

    Ceiling sags or bows. Investigate fixing and repair.

    Trade
    Plasterer
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 9.2

  4. Stains on ceiling from leak above

    Major

    Water stain on ceiling indicating leak above. Trace leak, repair and redecorate.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 8.1

  5. Uneven plaster / poor finish

    Moderate

    Plaster finish is uneven and visible under light. Make good to an acceptable finish.

    Trade
    Plasterer
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 9.2

  6. Wall not plumb

    Moderate

    Wall visibly out of plumb / bowed. Investigate and correct to within tolerance.

    Trade
    Builder
    Reference
    None listed

  7. Hollow / debonded plaster

    Moderate

    Plaster sounds hollow or has come away from the wall. Cut out and re-plaster.

    Trade
    Plasterer
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 9.2

  8. Wall surface uneven / bulging

    Moderate

    Wall surface bulges or is out of flat. Investigate and make good.

    Trade
    Plasterer
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 9.2

  9. Hairline crack to plaster

    Minor

    Hairline crack noted in plaster. Rake out, fill and redecorate.

    Trade
    Plasterer
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 9.2

  10. Nail pops in plasterboard

    Minor

    Nail/screw heads pushing through plasterboard. Re-fix, fill and redecorate.

    Trade
    Plasterer
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 9.2

  11. Damaged corner bead

    Minor

    External corner bead damaged/dented. Repair and redecorate.

    Trade
    Plasterer
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 9.2

  12. Visible plasterboard joint

    Minor

    Plasterboard joint visible through decoration. Re-tape, fill and redecorate.

    Trade
    Plasterer
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 9.2

  13. Impact damage to plasterboard

    Minor

    Hole or impact damage to plasterboard. Patch repair, fill and redecorate.

    Trade
    Plasterer
    Reference
    None listed

  14. Crack at wall/ceiling junction

    Minor

    Crack along the wall/ceiling junction. Rake out, fill or fit coving and redecorate.

    Trade
    Plasterer
    Reference
    None listed

  15. Ceiling crack

    Minor

    Crack across ceiling. Investigate cause, fill and redecorate.

    Trade
    Plasterer
    Reference
    None listed

  16. Coving damaged / missing

    Minor

    Coving cracked, open at joints or missing. Re-fix, fill and redecorate.

    Trade
    Plasterer
    Reference
    None listed

  17. Screw pops in ceiling

    Minor

    Screw heads showing through ceiling. Re-fix, fill and redecorate.

    Trade
    Plasterer
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 9.2

  18. Shrinkage cracking

    Minor

    Drying-out shrinkage cracks to walls or ceilings. Fill and redecorate at 12 months.

    Trade
    Plasterer
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 9.2

  19. Holes around pipes / cables not made good

    Minor

    Holes where services pass through walls or ceilings not made good. Fill and seal.

    Trade
    Plasterer
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 9.2

Using these in a report

In the SiteSnag app, starting to type a defect title in the camera brings up these entries. Picking one fills in the description, severity, trade and reference, and you can edit the wording or add your own defects to the library. Every snag then goes into the branded PDF report with its photos and a numbered pin on the floor plan.

For a room-by-room walk-round, use the new build snagging checklist, or go back to all defect categories.

Other categories

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