Many homeowners quickly select a DIY approach to nearly every repair their home needs. This remains true if someone finds cracked walls anywhere throughout their home. However, fixing these cracks on your own may not be the best approach.
In this article, we’ll explain why you shouldn’t go the DIY route and then share some of the most common causes of cracked walls. After that, we’ll share the best approach you can take to have these walls repaired in your home.
Fixing Cracked Walls On Your Own
Before covering any other aspects of this topic, let’s ensure that you understand that DIY wall crack repair is not the best approach. While it may be tempting to repair a wall independently, this type of project can be unsafe and unsuccessful if you lack experience.
Ultimately, fixing a small crack on your own is possible if it does not imply deeper structural damage. However, if you lack construction or foundation repair experience, you cannot know if your wall issues indicate a deeper problem. The only way to know that and find the best solution is to hire a professional team to repair the foundation for you.
What Causes Cracked Walls?
Fixing a cracked wall is not something you should attempt on your own. As you’ll soon learn, the crack in your wall can indicate a significant structural issue you are poorly equipped to fix. The sections below explain some of the most widespread causes of cracks forming in your wall.
Poor Installation
Occasionally, cracks in drywall or concrete can result from poor installation techniques. Consider whether your installer has the proper experience and skill. If the answer to both those questions was no, there is a good chance they made a mistake while building your home. These issues will manifest quickly after construction, often in the form of cracks.
Changes in Temperature and Moisture
For those experiencing drywall cracks, there is an excellent chance it is due to changes in moisture or temperature. As humidity and temperature rise and fall, they cause drywall to expand and contract. Even if your drywall was installed correctly, it can still fall victim to cracking in the face of fluctuating temperatures and air moisture.
Structural Problems
A crack in your floor, wall, or ceiling can indicate an issue with the structural integrity of your home. For instance, if a remodeling project recently removed a load-bearing wall, you can expect cracks to form. Similarly, if the installer placed an incorrect amount of joists or failed to space them correctly, this is another source of wall cracks.
Water Damage
When issues arise in your plumbing system, it is typical for cracks to form in your walls. Whether you have a clog or a leak, a faulty plumbing fixture can easily cause water to accumulate near your drywall, the weight of which can cause the drywall to crack and leak as well.
Pest Infestations
Anyone who deals with infestations knows that the presence of pests can result in a severe problem for many aspects of your home. Many insects, like termites, feed on the structural components of your home. This chewing leads to structural failure and may cause cracks in your walls.
Differential Foundation Settlement
If you own a home, there is a decent chance that you have heard of foundation settlement. Before we go any further, it is crucial to note that a small amount of uniform settlement is normal, especially in the first year after construction. However, another form of settlement, differential settlement, is problematic. Differential settlement involves uneven shifts. These shifts result in many issues throughout your home. In many cases, the first sign will be cracking in your foundation or throughout the drywall on different levels of your home.
Hydrostatic Pressure
Anyone who owns a home with a foundation should know the dangers of hydrostatic pressure. In simple words, hydrostatic pressure refers to the force that water places on the surfaces it touches.
To understand the threat posed by hydrostatic pressure, consider that your foundation walls act as retaining walls to hold the immense weight of soil behind them. When the soil becomes saturated, hydrostatic pressure builds up and pushes against the walls. If the pressure isn’t relieved, you will likely see cracks in your foundation walls. These cracks are often horizontal, but they can also be diagonal or vertical. Additionally, hydrostatic pressure can cause your walls to bow inward and deform under the immense weight.
Best Way to Fix Walls with Cracks
Now that you know some of the leading causes of a crack in your wall, it is time to consider the best method you can use to repair it. In nearly every case, the best approach is to hire an experienced professional to take care of the job for you.
The proper professional will diagnose the source of your wall cracks and quickly match you to the correct service for your home. These professionals will also be capable of repairing your walls safely and successfully on the first try.
Again, while many homeowners are quick to fix wall cracks independently, this is not the best approach. The only way to ensure you know the source of your cracks and the best way to resolve them is to hire a trustworthy contractor in your area.
Contact HydroHelp911 for Wall Crack Concerns
If you live in the Charlotte, NC, area and have a question about the cracks in your walls, give HydroHelp911 a call at your earliest convenience. The sooner you seek help with your wall cracks, the sooner you can resolve the issues and ensure the structural integrity of your home.
Fortunately, the team at HydroHelp911 has extensive experience providing a wide range of construction services. Reach out to us today to learn how we can repair any cracks you might discover in your house.
