Featured Image Source: Theodore Palser via PublicDomainPictures https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=252198&picture=white-drywall
If you notice a long crack in your drywall, you may be tempted to fix it by yourself. Getting it repaired professionally may have an intimidating cost.
Drywall is a construction material that’s commonly used in the walls and ceilings of homes. It’s inexpensive, has a fast installation time, can withstand damage, and is easy to repair. If you notice cracks in your drywall, it may be a sign of foundation damage.
You may think that patching your drywall is the better option, as it will save you money. However, patching the drywall is a short-term solution. If your home is suffering from a foundation issue, ignoring it in favor of DIY solutions will result in more costly problems later on.
Monitoring of Drywall Cracks
Walls are one of the main supports of a house, so it’s logical to express concern if you see cracks in them. The best way to determine if your structural integrity is at risk is to have a professional inspect your foundation.
To alleviate your worry, you can take a look at the type of crack in your wall first. This may guide you in the direction of what foundation issue you may have:
Here are different types of wall cracks:
Hairline cracks
It’s normal to see them about a year after your home has been constructed. There’s no need to worry about hairline cracks. It simply means the house is settling. This causes hairline cracks on your walls and near doors and windows. You can hide these by covering them with a coat of paint, but a more permanent repair is to tape, bed, and plaster.
Narrow cracks
A crack is more than a hairline’s size but less than 1/8 inch, you’ll need to monitor its size each month. If it’s expanding, you likely have foundation issues and need to repair them. Otherwise, this crack can be fixed using tape, bedding, and grout.
Cracks wider than 1/8 inch
If you notice cracks appearing that are between 1/8 and ¼ of an inch in width, this can still be a result of house movement after construction. It may also be a minor seasonal movement of the foundation. Concrete foundations built on clay soil will make minor movements with seasonal moisture changes. This can be remedied using tape, bedding, and plaster.
A horizontal crack where the house wall intersects the concrete floor
If you notice that the slab has separated from the floorboard trim, this means you have not watered the perimeter of the house enough. In areas that have high clay content in the soil, such as Dallas, Fort Worth, and Frisco, the interior soil will shrink and dry if it’s not watered enough. In this case, your foundation will no longer be supported by the soil. You can remedy this by watering the perimeter year-round for 1-2 years.
Water seepage occurs through a crack
If you observe that water is seeping through a crack in the wall, this may cause mold growth that you’ll want to prevent. Take care to divert the water source. This issue occurs when the soil outside builds up higher than the brick line. The soil should be a minimum of two inches below the bottom course of brick. It should slope a minimum of two inches at least 8 feet away from the house.
The wall crack is wider than ½ inch
If you have cracks that are wider than half an inch, you’ll need a professional foundation inspector to help you determine the cause of the issue. There might be underlying serious problems in your foundation that only experts can properly assess.
The presence of a large crack in a wall or ceiling
This is a critical problem and a foundation expert needs to be consulted to manage this issue.
The presence of a horizontal crack is riskier than a vertical or diagonal crack
Minor vertical and diagonal cracks can be attributed to normal settling after construction. However, a horizontal crack can be a cause of concern and a professional assessment is needed to provide a solution. It is most likely caused by soil drying under the foundation. Some horizontal cracks are readily apparent where the wall joins the ceiling.
Causes of Drywall Cracks
There are a variety of causes of drywall cracks. They can be caused by extreme moisture which causes the soil to shift. It can also be caused by the trees in your garden, whose large expanding roots can affect your home’s foundation. A plumbing leak can also lead to the formation of cracks. A foundation repair expert can spot the causes and provide the correct solution to drywall cracks.
Importance of Repairing Your Foundation Immediately
As much as you might want to save money by fixing drywall cracks temporarily on your own, it’s wiser to hire a foundation specialist to look at the damage before it is covered by tape, bedding, and plaster. Foundation damage will not go away if you ignore it or attempt DIY fixes. It will only weaken the structure more, making the foundation repair more expensive in the long run. You might find yourself wasting money on new home improvements, as this damage may ruin your flooring, countertops, and sheetrock coverings, such as marble or granite.
You need to confront the issue right away and remain alert to signs of foundation damage. This will save you a lot of time and effort. It’s better to deal with the problem at the onset than spending more money when the damage has become too great and unpleasant.
Signs of Foundation Issues
As a property owner, you should remain vigilant about potential foundation issues. This will help you avoid long-term costs. Here are some signs of foundation problems that indicate you need a professional contractor:
- Your doors and windows are sticking and won’t open or close properly.
- The floors in your home are sagging or uneven.
- Doors and window frame gaps appear.
- Highly visible wall cracks are present.
- Sloping floors appear.
- Your garage door won’t close properly.
Conclusion
You may face the temptation to patch drywall cracks by yourself to minimize the costs of inspection and repair fees. However, the consequence of reducing your expenses might have fatal consequences.
Granite Foundation Repair offers a free foundation inspection, which includes looking for drywall cracks. If you find drywall cracks, you can use our team to determine whether or not you have a larger problem at hand.
We have a team of experts composed of professional foundation specialist. Contact Granite Foundation Repair by calling 972-412-2171. Our foundation repair solutions are cost-effective and provide clients a range of options without sacrificing the quality of the repair.