Are the Cracks in Your Walls a Sign of a Serious Problem?
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Spotting a crack on your wall ranks high in the category of “signs that could indicate your house is in danger.” But it turns out that wall cracks are pretty common in homes, explains Mike Powell, a structural engineer and home inspector who owns Red Flag Home Inspection in Tampa, Florida. Oftentimes, wall cracks are benign and the result of a house settling. This is when the foundation and framing shift due to the compression of the soil beneath your home, weather changes, or the moisture content in building materials that might cause them to shrink or expand.
“In newer homes, [wall cracks] often result from primary consolidation, as the building settles and adjusts to its environment,” he says. “This process happens most rapidly in the early years after construction and tends to stabilize over time, making early cracks seem more alarming than they usually are.”
However, in worst-case scenarios, wall cracks could reveal a bigger, more serious problem with the foundation and the structural integrity of your home. Shoddy construction, shifting soil, and water seeping and pooling under a home’s foundation can all lead to cracked walls that hint at a foundation problem.
But how do you know if a wall crack can be chalked up to your home settling or whether it’s indicative of a more serious foundation or structural issue? Ahead, Powell explains what to pay attention to when you spot cracks in your walls.
When Should I Be Worried About Wall Cracks?
Generally speaking, cracks that run horizontally or diagonally are more problematic than those that run vertically. Anytime you notice a wall crack in your home, take note of it and monitor if it’s spreading. If you notice the cracks starting to get bigger or new cracks starting to appear, then it’s time to call in a foundation expert or structural engineer.
Some other red flags that require calling in a professional include cracks that widen or are three millimeters or thicker; cracks that form above doors, windows, or where the ceiling and wall meet; and cracks that coincide with other issues, like binding doors or windows, sloping floors, or a sagging ceiling.
Ignoring structural wall cracks can lead to potentially dangerous structural problems in your home and more costly, extensive repairs.
What Do Settlement Cracks Look Like?
Settlement cracks usually show up as vertical lines or hairline cracks (small cracks that are under 1/10 of an inch or 2.5 millimeters wide), especially around weak spots like doors, windows, and corners of walls. You’ll typically spot them within the first few years of a home settling into its foundation.
Settlement cracks can pop up when the soil beneath a home compresses under its weight. Moisture changes—like droughts or heavy rain—can make things worse, especially if the soil expands or shrinks easily. Other factors that can cause nonstructural settlement cracks include changing temperatures that cause walls to expand or contract, humidity differentials between the inside of a home and outdoors, or mistakes made during the drywall's construction.
What Does a Structural Crack Look Like?
Structural cracks often show up as horizontal cracks, have stair-step patterns, or have wide, uneven openings. Diagonal cracks that run at a 45-degree angle can also indicate structural problems, and oftentimes they originate near a door, window, or in the corner of a wall.
The crack may also be thicker on one end than the other or run from the ceiling down a wall. Structural cracks are generally wider than settlement cracks.
How Do You Know If a Wall Crack Is Structural?
If you notice cracks that look like they could be structural, it’s best to call out a structural engineer or foundation expert to have your home assessed. Structural cracks can be caused by a number of issues, including soil that wasn’t compacted correctly before the home was built, poor site preparation, or using the wrong fill material.
Changes in moisture levels, such as from drought or heavy rain, can exacerbate settlement, especially in soils prone to expand or shrink.
Is It Safe to Stay in a House With Wall Cracks?
Most wall cracks are not an immediate safety risk, especially if they are stable and show no signs of progression.
However, cracks that are widening, accompanied by structural symptoms like sloping floors or sticking doors could point to a larger issue.
Homeowners should also be more wary of wall cracks that are located on critical load-bearing area walls, also known as “bearing walls” which support the weight of a floor or roof above them. In these scenarios, or whenever you’re unsure about the formation of a wall crack, it’s best to consult a structural engineer so you can address any problems before they become more serious.
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