Most small cracks in drywall or plaster walls are not serious and are caused by seasonal expansion and contraction of the wood framing in your house over time.
Wall cracks above door.
These cracks usually run either horizontal or vertical at the drywall seams.
This is true of both exterior and interior doors and openings.
They re often found at the corners of window and door frames and can be patched using spackling or joint compound.
I try to avoid locating seams between drywall panels above door and window openings because this invites cracking as the building settles.
Thin cracks in just a few places above doors and windows can be re taped and painted to restore your home s aesthetics.
There s no exact method for determining how serious a wall crack is without hiring an expert to examine the wall but you might be able to.
Another common place to see these cracks is where two pieces of drywall come together.
How to determine if the cracks in walls are serious.
These cracks are usually on the walls where the trusses run perpendicular to where a wall meets the ceiling.
Whether your walls are made of plaster or drywall you can repair the cracks in two steps over a day or two and get the area ready to sand and paint.
These cracks are serious and require professional attention.
Away from the edge.
Do cracks in my walls indicate a structural problem rachel.
As homes settle cracks may radiate from the corners of doors and windows.
When seams must land above an opening keep the seam at least 7 in.
Hairline cracks over doors and windows are likely due to settling.
Small cracks located above interior windows or doors are usually harmless.
Although the fractures are small they re persistent.
But if you notice a lot of cracks deeper cracks or other concerns talk with a foundation repair company for advice.
Those hairline wall cracks that appear above windows and doors are caused when framing lumber dries out and shrinks or the structure settles.
Houses of any age move and shift subtly over time and the weakest area in a wall is the most likely to crack.
Long horizontal cracks that extend along the joints where interior partition walls and upstairs ceilings connect generally signify roof truss issues which cause ceilings to detach from walls.
Simply spackling over the trouble spots seldom hides them for long.