What Causes Cracks In Drywall

This article describes the common causes of all types of cracks that appear in drywall or gypsum board or plasterboard walls ceilings in building interiors.

What causes cracks in drywall.

Cracks that are larger than 1 8 inch are much more of a concern than hairline cracks. Cracks in your drywall or plaster interior walls could be the result of your house settling which could come from the foundation or may be the result of earth movement according to gregg cantor. One reason drywall cracks is because the wrong type of drywall mud was used when taping. Being knowledgeable about drywall cracks and their causes can help homeowners determine the seriousness.

Drywall cracks in ceilings or walls. The cracks may occasionally be a red or yellow flag that a problem is beginning to appear or that there is a serious problem. Common causes of drywall cracks. However there are many potential causes of stress.

When a house settles or walls move cracks may indicate either weakness in the joint or movement that exceeded expectations. This involves scraping away the loose tape and crumbled bits of drywall mud sanding the surface smooth. Vertical cracks run the same direction as drywall generally making them less serious. As previously mentioned stress is usually the main reasons that cracks occur.

Typically plaster ceiling cracks have two causes. Illustrations show where cracks are most likely to appear explain why and suggest both repair approaches to drywall cracks and how to prevent cracking in plasterboard or gypsum board. Whether drywall plaster or concrete walls are susceptible to cracks even walls in newly built homes are prone to cracks which normally occur from settling. If the crack is horizontal or runs at a jagged 45 degree angle it might mean there s a more serious problem.

Some of the more common ones are. The mud fills in the. Repairing cracks in walls the best way to repair a crack in drywall is to re tape the joint. The wrong type of drywall mud was used.

Homes are constantly settling as different construction materials expand and contract at different rates. Usually the seams are invisible due to the use of drywall mud and tape. House settling and temperature or moisture fluctuations in an attic which result in the expansion or contraction of framing members.