What Causes Cracks In Drywall Corners

Illustrations show where cracks are most likely to appear explain why and suggest both repair approaches to drywall cracks and how to prevent cracking in plasterboard or gypsum board.

What causes cracks in drywall corners.

Homes are constantly settling as different construction materials expand and contract at different rates. Usually the seams are invisible due to the use of drywall mud and tape. Causes of drywall cracks most drywall cracks occur on the seams where two pieces of drywall meet. These cracks are usually on the walls where the trusses run perpendicular to where a wall meets the ceiling.

Drywall cracks in ceilings or walls. Whether drywall plaster or concrete walls are susceptible to cracks even walls in newly built homes are prone to cracks which normally occur from settling. Leaky windows and roofs can cause moisture to get into your home s walls. Outer drywall corners are reinforced with metal or plastic edging called corner bead.

One reason drywall cracks is because the wrong type of drywall mud was used when taping the seams. This causes the drywall to get wet soften and deteriorate which then leads to cracking. How to determine if the cracks in walls are serious. Too much mud too little mud missing drywall tape and drywall secured with internal stresses are some causes removal of pop corn textured or cottage cheese looking ceiling material may leave a drywall taping job that tends to crack at the drywall joint.

This article describes the common causes of all types of cracks that appear in drywall or gypsum board or plasterboard walls ceilings in building interiors. Some drywall mud has more adhering ability and should be used when taping drywall whereas other types of drywall mud should only be used in finishing. It usually causes cracking on interior walls not exterior walls and sometimes contributes to the cracking at door corners on interior walls. Truss uplift is a good example of how humidity and temperature can cause cracks in drywall.

If the cracks in your walls are showing discoloration such as brown or yellow tinted stains then the problem may be the result of water damage to your home. 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. Although this bead is damage resistant a sharp knock can cause the drywall compound that covers it to crack or chip off and a strong enough shock can dent or bend the corner bead.