Drywall Cracks
Learn how to fix cracks in drywall with long-term foundation repair strategies from Groundworks. We explain common causes of drywall cracks and prevention methods to protect your home.
Drywall cracks are common but often indicate more than an aesthetic concern. These cracks can signal underlying structural concerns that shouldn’t be ignored. Cracks in drywall may stem from foundation problems that require prompt attention to prevent future complications. So, what do drywall cracks mean, and how can you address them effectively?
Here’s a breakdown of common causes of drywall cracks, repair options, and why a professional inspection is often the best first step.
What Are Drywall Cracks?
Drywall cracks appear in the drywall boards of interior walls and ceilings. They may indicate foundation settlement or shifts, signaling potential damage. However, not all drywall cracks are of concern. Here’s what to watch for:
- Diagonal cracks in drywall
- Drywall ceiling cracks
- Spiderweb cracks l
- Horizontal cracks in drywall
- Vertical cracks
- Cracks in drywall above doors and windows
Contact a foundation repair expert if you notice large or widening drywall cracks. These do not resolve on their own and will worsen over time.
What Causes Drywall Cracks?
Drywall cracks are caused by many factors, including:
- Foundation Settlement: Bowing basement walls, overspanned floor joists, and other structural foundation issues can cause drywall cracks.
- Structural Overload: Home improvements, remodeling, or weight overload on upper floors can cause foundation shifts that lead to drywall cracks.
- Water Damage: Leaky pipes, poor drainage, and other water damage can compromise the foundation and cause drywall cracks.
- Compromised Soil: Natural soil compaction, soil erosion, or washout can cause foundation settlement and drywall cracks.
- Vibrational Impact: Vibration caused by earthquakes, heavy traffic, or nearby construction can lead to drywall cracks.
- Poor Construction: Improper drywall installation, inadequate materials, and poor construction can weaken drywall and cracks.
- Temperature and Humidity Change: Fluctuations in seasonal temperatures and humidity levels can cause expansion and contraction in wooden support beams and structures, causing drywall cracks.
- Pest Damage: Termites and other pests can damage wood framing and affect structural integrity. This weakens the structural supports and causes drywall cracks.
How to Prevent Cracks in Drywall
The best way to prevent cracks in drywall is to address them early. How? Here are a few proactive tips you can take as a homeowner:
Recognize the Warning Signs
Drywall cracks often accompany other warning signs. These signs may signal foundation settlement that requires immediate attention. Watch for these signs of foundation problems:
Some natural settling occurs in homes; however, it can become a severe problem if it continues settling. Contact a foundation repair expert at the first sign of settlement or drywall cracks.
Conduct Regular Foundation Inspections
Regular annual inspections ensure your foundation remains structurally robust and stable. Foundation repair experts have the expertise and equipment to safely identify and diagnose problems effectively. They will determine whether your drywall cracks are a concern, providing invaluable peace of mind.
Remember, cracks in drywall can occur due to underlying problems, and those issues typically accompany secondary matters. If you notice damage, contact a foundation repair expert for a free inspection.
How to Fix Cracks in Drywall
If structural issues cause drywall cracks, professionals repair them with long-term, durable foundation repair solutions. Minor drywall cracks may be addressed with sealants; however, severe cracks caused by foundation issues require more extensive repair. These repairs may include foundation piers, waterproofing, or wall reinforcements. Groundworks implements the following solutions:
- Foundation piers (helical piers, slab piers, push piers)
- Basement waterproofing (sump pumps, vapor barriers, interior drainage)
- Crawl Space Encapsulation (vapor barriers, insulation, dehumidifiers)
- Wall Reinforcements (wall anchors, carbon fiber straps, steel I-beams)
The specific repair strategy relies on the overall condition of the cracks, soil condition, and other factors. We do not recommend DIY drywall crack patches and repairs. These temporary fixes do not address the underlying cause of damage, which is settlement. Take proactive measures by contacting a foundation repair expert for a thorough inspection, diagnosis, and tailored repair strategy.
Groundworks Provides Expert Drywall Crack Repairs
Cracks in drywall don’t always indicate foundation problems, but it’s wise not to overlook them. If you see cracks accompanied by other warning signs, contact your local Groundworks Company. Our professionals offer free inspections, accurately diagnose issues, and develop a tailored foundation repair strategy suited to your unique needs and budget. Click the button below to get started.
Drywall Cracks FAQs
Filling in drywall cracks is something that might seem easy on the surface. Therefore, it looks like it should be perfect for a DIYer. However, it can be much more difficult to fill in drywall cracks than it appears. Here’s what you need to think about before you fill in drywall cracks on your own.
- Underlying Problems
The major reason that you shouldn’t just fill in drywall cracks on your own is that there can be all sorts of underlying problems, like expansive soils. Those problems are what cause the drywall cracks. Fixing the underlying problems will be what eventually allows you to fix your drywall cracks permanently.
Sure, you might be able to cover the drywall cracks for a short time. The problem is that if you haven’t handled the underlying problems, you will probably notice recurring concerns. Getting an expert out to fix the underlying problems will be more effective, less expensive, and generally better for your home.
- Complications with Filling in Cracks
There can be complications with the filling process itself. Making a mistake during this process isn’t ideal, especially because it’s frustratingly common for laypeople. When you make a mistake as you fill in cracks, you’re liable to make the problem worse, which can be more expensive and time-consuming to replace.
Filling drywall cracks isn’t as easy as it often looks. If you’re trying to fill in the drywall cracks without a lot of professional knowledge, you could end up making the problem worse. At the end of the day, it’s almost always better to just get an expert to help.
The process of replacing cracked drywall looks difficult and complicated, and it’s true that it can be both of these things. However, if you’re able to get to it early, you may be able to fix the cracked drywall in another way. Here are a few of the options that may be available.
- Partial Replacement
It might be possible to partially replace the cracked drywall. If only a very small portion of the drywall has cracks in it, someone may be able to come in, cut out the part of the drywall that has problems, and replace only that part. After they spray texture on the drywall and repaint the area, it’ll be essentially unnoticeable.
This is typically much easier than replacing huge areas of drywall. However, you have to get to it early so you can use this option. If you’re able to pay attention to your home and take these problem signs into account, you’re likely to be able to utilize a partial replacement method. Otherwise, you might need to be more creative.
- Other Options
Depending on the reasons for the crack and the extent of the crack, there may also be other options available for you. However, it’s a good idea to talk to a Groundworks expert before you go forward with any of them. That way, the expert will be able to help you more with all of your home problems, not just your cracking drywall.
Make an appointment with a Groundworks expert to learn more about your drywall cracking options. That includes getting information on the underlying cause, the potential problems you might experience, and more. There are many potential options available and a Groundworks expert can help you implement them.
Drywall cracks can have a major impact on wall health as a whole. If you’re looking to make sure that your home has a healthy structure, you do need to make sure that you’re tackling your drywall cracks as early as possible. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Minor Hairline Cracks
The least worrying type of crack for your drywall is a minor hairline crack. A hairline crack is a very thin crack, typically not even thick enough for you to put a business card in. In terms of width, most people consider a crack to be a hairline crack if it’s less than a very small fraction of an inch in width, with some going as low as 0.003 inches or 0.08 mm.
There are many reasons that you might have hairline drywall cracks. For example, it can happen when the initial construction crew didn’t apply the drywall very effectively or when it naturally settles as it dries. The good news is that minor hairline cracks are typically not a problem that will develop into a serious issue.
- Cracks Reaching Through the Drywall
The biggest problem that you can experience with cracks is when they go all the way through the drywall. This is true no matter what size they are. Even extremely small cracks that are under an inch in width can go all the way through your home’s drywall, which means you need to look at the depth of a crack, not just the length or width.
Cracks that reach through the drywall will almost always be more serious than cracks that don’t. Surface-level cracks are one thing, but cracks that reach all the way through the drywall will allow in air, water, pests, and other unwanted elements from the outside. Although it’s an especially big problem with large cracks, it’s always a potential problem.