Anyone who’s ever removed old wallpaper as part of a renovation project knows that the last thing you want to see are cracks sprawling across the wall. If your house is cracking and you’ve discovered a large crack or several smaller cracks in your ceilings or walls, how can you tell if they’re serious enough to call in an expert?
When You See Wall Cracks
Wall cracks are quite normal, and many of them can easily be fixed. However, in some cases, wall cracks may indicate structural or foundation issues. How can you tell the difference? First, consider some of the most common causes of wall cracks listed below:
- Wall cracks as a result of a newly built home or home addition settling into its foundation
- Walls that have been recently plastered, which can show some hairline cracks
- Wall cracks created by road vibration due to heavy traffic
- Subsidence or serious structural issues
FOUR TYPES OF HOUSE CRACKS THAT YOU SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO.
Whereas cracks in walls and ceilings can be considered normal in some homes, there are four types of cracks that should warrant your attention.
- House cracks above door frames
- Wide V-shaped cracks
- Diagonal or horizontal cracks
- Cracks that are letting in sunlight
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR HOUSE IS CRACKING: WALL CRACKS.
If you have hairline cracks in your walls you can most likely fix these types of wall cracks yourself or hire a handyman to do the repairs.
If you have wall cracks regardless of what you may think is the cause, the best thing to do is to consult with a foundation expert. For serious cracks–any of the four listed above–the best thing to do is find out if there are any structural or foundation issues with your home.
Because we perform free foundation inspections for owner occupied homes in the areas of Southern California that we currently service, homeowners can find out if there’s anything serious going on beneath their home. Be sure to schedule an inspection if you notice any of the serious signs discussed in this article.
