What’s Crackin’? Types of Drywall Cracks and Their Causes

It may come as somewhat of a surprise to you, but no two drywall cracks are the same. Ok, well, maybe they have a few similarities here and there, but generally speaking, there are dozens of different reasons why your drywall may crack, leaving you with dozens of potential solutions to sort through. How do you know if the crack is a serious issue, and how do you figure out to fix it?

In cases of drywall crack repair, it’s generally a good idea to get some input from the experts. The Orlando-based drywall repair team at New Ceilings has seen the gamut of drywall cracks and knows how to answer your problems. Here’s a brief description of some common drywall cracks and what may be causing them:

• Stair-step cracks. Do you remember making a stair-step pattern on an Etch-a-Sketch? If you see a similar pattern on your drywall, there’s a good chance your home has been experiencing a good deal of foundation settling. While this can simply indicate minor expected movement, it may indicate the early onset of serious soil erosion, so it’s important to get your foundation inspected.

• Vertical Cracks. Generally speaking, vertical cracks run in the same direction as the drywall, making them less serious. Often, a vertical crack in the drywall can indicate that the tape has slipped or there has been a nail pop beneath the settled compound. These are fairly easy patches for the pros.

• Cracks at the ceiling and wall joints. Any cracks that run along the line that separates your ceiling from the wall can demonstrate that the sheetrock has experienced a good deal of shrinkage. This could indicate that the gypsum used was wet at the time of installation or that the connections weren’t solid. You’ll need a pro to survey the damage and ensure you don’t need replacement.

The type of drywall crack you see can tell you a lot about the issues in your home, but without a trained eye, it can be difficult to recognize the differences. Don’t leave it to chance–get expert Orlando drywall crack repair from the team at New Ceilings. To learn more or to schedule your free consultation, give us a call at (407) 378-6040 today.