Drywall cracks in one location, what is the possible cause?

Question

The cracks are at the upper corner of an arched doorway leading into the kitchen, and at the corner of a half-wall dividing the kitchen and family room.

Answer 1

A common problem in both old and new houses is cracking in the exterior walls.

Cracks can result from:

* settlement
* thermal movement
* subsidence

Settlement is caused by the evaporation of moisture from the bricks; this occurs most often in new buildings. Settlement can be seasonal; in the winter, moisture in the ground increases and in the summer the ground dries out; cracks can open and close during that time.

Thermal movement is usually seasonal; in the summer the walls expand, and in the winter the walls cool and contract.

Subsidence happens when the ground loses its load-bearing capacity. This usually happens if the soil is rich in clay and is worse in houses with shallow foundations. The problem can be exacerbated by plants and trees such as eucalyptus, oak, Leylandii, poplar and willow. Be warned that the complete removal of trees can cause cause 'heave'; moisture is no longer drawn from the ground and the sub-soil swells. It is safer to remove trees gradually, ideally over 10 years; prune them first, then remove one or two trees, prune again and then complete the removal.

The other cause of subsidence is where water washes away a sandy or gravelly soil, for example when a drain has cracked.

Cracks can be very minor such as one above a lintel or at the join between a bay and the main wall. More worrying cracks are in main walls, and extending for more than one metre or so. The size and shape of the crack is also important. Most experts agree that a crack of less than 5mm is usually unimportant, if there is no sign of bulging or sideways shifting. If the crack is dirty and has cobwebs in and over it, then it is likely to be long-standing and stable.

Cracks in or above lintels or below cills are usually caused by minor settlement; a 'tell-tale' can be used to determine if the crack is stable. The lintel can be taken out, the damaged area rebuilt and the lintel re-instated.

Cracks where a bay meets the main wall are common; the smaller bay has settled less than the rest of the house. If the crack is less than 5mm and dirty, then no attention is required. Lime mortar can be used to fill the crack if you wish.

Long cracks in walls, away from windows and doors, particularly if the brick or stone is cracked, rather than just the pointing, are of more concern. If the wall is bulging, wall-plates or ties can be used to restrain the wall. Vertical movement is usually caused by subsidence or heave. Both can be caused by major changes in the moisture level in the ground. These result from climate change or from the removal or growth of trees.

If you are in any doubt on these issues, please seek the advice of a surveyor or specialist.

Answer 2

What Causes Cracks In Drywall

Answer 3

Drywall cracks can be caused by a few things. If you live anywhere near where there are earthquakes all of the time you will have atleast a few. Other causes could be due to moisture breaking the drywall open or even the house settling over time. I have seen cracks over archways particularly in places where the foundation is sinking or the entire house is sinking. The best way to know is to call a professional if the cracks get extremely noticeable in a short period of time.

Answer 4

Doorways are usually the first areas to crack as a result of the home settling. Unfortunately, since these areas seem to be the ones bearing the stress of the tension on the house, you will likely be making repairs to the area forever.

Houses also expand and contract with heat and cold, thus the "popping" and "creaking" you probably sometimes hear. Extremes in weather will also cause your home to settle even more.

Answer 5

cracks in drywall occur mostly above doors and windows, The person who hung the drywall put two pieces of drywall at the edge of the door or window instead of over or around. Take a 5 in 1 painter putty knife and dig out the crack. fill the crack with joint compound and then cover with TAPE not the mesh stuff. Put several layers on and paint. with each layer of compound the wider it should be this is called feathering.

Good Luck
Moskie257

Answer 6

Sounds like an amature remodel job on a bearing wall...
If you know your foundation is ok ..
I would strip off the drywall and put in a couple of 4x4 or 2 2x4 on both side of the arch
You may need to put in a header across the whole arch span if it was done incorrectly

Answer 7

possibly got wet or the wall is shifting slightly, is the floor below supported good? check that out too, My old house was built in 1895 and it settles and sometimes the drywall will shift causing small cracks

Answer 8

probably due to the house settling, at least thats what 'they say'
it is probably a weak area in the wall
reinforce the area with some drywall paper or mess and then apply dryway mud
it should take care of the problem

Answer 9

Either the house is setting or the dry wall is wet.............Check the water leak somewhere and put drywall compound on the cracks and if it still cracks then it could those two reasons that I mention above................good luck

Answer 10

did you do this work yourself if so did you use drywall tape... in places where there is possibilty of movement you should use a drywall tape that has a little give to it and strengthens the joint to prevent cracking... everywhere two piece of drywall meet there should be tape under the drywall mud