Cracks in the drywall and plaster are a very common occurrence. They occur over time when there is stress or even a little settlement of the home. Contractors may call them hairline cracks, meaning that they are very thin looking. The majority of the time they are considered cosmetic and can be covered over when repainting is done.
Where do you often see drywall cracks?
Spiderweb cracks are a normal part of a home settling over the years. They can run throughout the home, not only on the ceiling but also on the walls, floors, grout joints in tile installations. The cracks are mainly appearing on the ceiling, particularly in corners of rooms along the edges where the coving meets the ceiling, and along the joins in the coving itself.
These cracks are most commonly seen in areas where the structure develops more stress than other areas. The most common areas are the corners of doors and windows as well as the corners of wall openings. This is true of both exterior and interior doors and openings.
Another common place to see these cracks is where two pieces of drywall come together. These cracks usually run either horizontal or vertical at the drywall seams. Homes with vaulted ceilings may develop these cracks in the higher areas as well.
Additionally, drywall cracks are often found where two pieces of drywall are butted together. This occurs because there is a joint, which gets drywall taped and then layered with two or three coats of drywall mud. These joint areas are weaker than in the center, or field area of the drywall, therefore some cracks may occur at these joints.
Common causes of drywall cracks
As previously mentioned, stress is usually the main reasons that cracks occur. However, there are many potential causes of stress; some of the more common ones are:
- Wood framing drying out; the wood cures or loses moisture as it ages, causing the lumber to twist or warp a little and even a little dimensional change occurs.
- Movement of the structure:
1. Wind loads from storms, creating stresses on walls and ceilings
2. Settling of the home or soil movement
3. Expansive soils pushing up on the structure
4. Wet and dry seasons
5. Expansion and contraction due to hot and cold weather (this can be common in vacation homes and homes that have been left vacant due to the fact that the internal temperature of the home has been allowed to get higher and lower depending on the outside temps)
6. Earthquakes – if the home is in an area that has trimmers or earthquakes
7. Truss uplift – can create cracks where interior walls meets ceiling (read more)
8. Poor quality workmanship in taping the drywall joints. (Too much mud, too little mud, missing drywall tape, and drywall secured with internal stresses are some causes)
- Removal of “Pop-corn,” textured or “cottage cheese” looking ceiling material may leave a drywall taping job that tends to crack at the drywall joint. This often happens because the home builder knew that they were going to texture the ceiling, so they had the drywall contractor put on less coats of drywall mud over the joints since it would save money and would be covered with a textured material. i.e. a “pop-corn” ceiling material. With fewer coatings over the joints, the more likely a crack will develop.
Some cracks may be a “Red” flag under a few circumstances.
Wide cracks or cracks that run at an angel or diagonally may be a “Red” flag. It is important to note that while these cracks should be looked at more closely, these types of cracks may not be serious. Whether or not these cracks are serious is dependent on the particular circumstances.
If concerned, do a quick structural check of the home
First step outside the home and walk around the exterior; check for:
- Cracks in the foundation or is it bowed or leaning(READ MORE)
- Cracks in the siding or stucco (a few small cracks are common)
- Does the roof sag or is it bowed
- If there is a basement, check for cracked or bowing walls
Walk around the inside:
- Are the floors level or sloping
- Do any doors rub the flooring
- Are any doors or windows sticking
- Look for sagging ceilings and bowed walls
The above items can be an indication that a structural issues may exist, depending on the location and severity. If so, some of these issues may need to be addressed to help keep the drywall cracks from coming back.
Who can fix drywall cracks?
Handymen, homeowners, painters or drywall tapers
For the majority of cracks a painter would be the appropriate person to seal and cover the cracks. At times, a drywall contractor or a skilled handyman who can tape and mud joints may be needed. There are many products that can be used such as mesh tape, mesh patch kits, drywall mud and caulking. In some instances depending on the type of texture on the wall, it may be difficult for the homeowner to properly match the existing texture pattern. In this case an experienced drywall contractor is recommended although the majority of small cracks can be filled and repainted such that they cannot be noticed easily. By using a mesh tape product the crack is less likely to show up again. Simply applying some drywall mud or spackle will not be very strong and you may find that even the normal expansion and contraction from temperature fluctuations may be enough to cause the crack again.
Additional Resources
If a load bearing wall is removed, there are structural issues and risks that homeowners and buyers should be aware of.
Do you believe that tree roots can really cause the drywall to crack in a home?
When the drywall tape in a corner area or where the wall meets the ceiling has a wrinkled look, then it may be caused by humidity, workmanship or movement
Know which ceiling cracks are serious and which ones are just cosmetic.
Drywall nails and screws sticking out or sunken in? Is the house new or old? Then...
Has the drywall tape come loose or is there wrinkles in it? Then...
How do you recognize mold and get rid of it? Does Insurance cover it?
Mold may cause or aggravate health issues under some circumstances.
Can you get rid of mold yourself? Are there legal considerations?
CEILING CRACKS COULD BE A SIGN OF FOUNDATION PROBLEMS
Have ugly ceiling cracks in your home? Many homeowners are concerned when they notice cracks in their home, especially if they are in the ceiling. However, most cracks are caused by the natural aging process of your home or foundation settlement. If you have water leaks in your attic, water stains can appear on your ceiling. Matthews Wall Anchor & Waterproofing Services can help you with ceiling cracks.
At Matthews Wall Anchor & Waterproofing Services, our team of professionals will inspect and determine the cause of your ceiling cracks.
CAUSES OF CEILING CRACKS
Ceiling cracks can be caused by many factors, but the most common causes are due to the following issues:
Too much moisture: Too much moisture can be caused by leaky plumbing originated from bathtubs, sinks, or toilets. High moisture levels and fluctuating temperatures can cause stress on ceiling material, leading to cracks in the ceiling.
Failing foundation: Homes experiencing foundation settlement can have structural issues including ceiling cracks. Without an adequate drainage system in place, the home’s foundation may be compromised.
Too much weight: Upper-level floors, poorly installed insulation, and attics can put extra weight on cracked ceilings. When inspecting ceiling cracks, we look at specific properties to determine if they are caused by age or structural damage.
Spiderweb cracks: Spiderweb cracks are age-related cracks and run throughout the walls, floors, and concrete slabs. If your cracks are larger than 1/16 inch wide, then they are a sign of structural issues.
Matching vertical cracks: Matching vertical cracks are a sign of serious structural damage. They usually run across the length of a ceiling along the wall. If you have matching vertical cracks, our team of experts can inspect the size of the crack to determine if they are problematic.
Bowing ceilings: Bowing or dipping ceilings accompanied by cracked ceilings indicate serious foundation issues. The structural support weakens and starts to sag over time.
The location of the cracks: Cracks that run across the middle of a room indicate foundation trouble, especially if they are wide and long.
CEILING CRACK REPAIR SOLUTIONS
At Matthews Wall Anchor & Waterproofing Services, we use the latest underpinning products in the industry to repair and prevent ceiling cracks in your home. One solution is to install steel piers made by Earth Contact Products (ECP). ECP is the leading supplier of foundation repair products, so you’ll be getting quality products with professional service. We install ECP steel piers because they offer unlimited benefits for settling foundations.
The Matthews Wall Anchor & Waterproofing Services team has the skills and expertise to locate the source of your foundation issues and provide an effective solution. If you have ceiling cracks, don’t ignore them. Contact our team today, so we can assess your damages and provide the latest foundation repair methods to your home in the Pittsburgh, PA area. If you have questionable ceiling cracks, give Matthews Wall Anchor & Waterproofing Services a call today. We serve residents in the Pittsburgh, PA area including Ohio and West Virginia. Get a free estimate today!
