Are you just chilling at your house and suddenly noticing cracks on your wall? Emergency alert! Yes, there are harmless cracks but it could be a warning sign that something is terribly wrong with your house.
What To Do When You Noticed Cracks on The Wall?
If you notice cracks on your house walls, it’s very important to handle the situation carefully, as cracks can range from minor cosmetic issues to signs of structural damage that can put you and your loved one in a dangerous situation. You can follow this guide on what to do:
1. Examine the Cracks
There are many aspects that you should look at when you examine the cracks in your house.
Type Of Cracks
Here’s how you can determine if a crack is potentially dangerous depending on the type, size, location, and cause of the crack:
Harmless Cracks
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- Hairline Cracks (less than 5mm wide): These are often cosmetic and caused by minor settling, temperature changes, or material shrinkage. They’re generally not a cause for concern, especially in newer homes.
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- Vertical Cracks: Cracks running straight up and down, especially in drywall or plaster, are usually due to settling and are often harmless.
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- Surface Cracks: Cracks that only affect the paint or plaster layer are usually not dangerous.
Concerning Cracks
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- Large Cracks (more than 5mm wide): Cracks that are wider than 5mm, especially if they grow over time, may indicate structural issues.
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- Diagonal or Horizontal Cracks: These cracks can indicate foundation movement, which could lead to serious structural problems. Horizontal cracks in walls, especially in basements, may be a sign of significant foundation pressure and should be addressed immediately.
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- Cracks in Foundation or External Walls: Cracks that appear in the foundation, especially if they are wide, may indicate foundation shifting or sinking. This can compromise the structural integrity of the building.
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- Cracks Around Doors or Windows: If you notice cracks near doors and windows along with difficulty in opening or closing them, this can be a sign of structural movement or settlement that needs to be checked.
Additional Warning Signs
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- Cracks with Bowing or Bulging Walls: If you notice that walls are bowing or bulging along with cracks, it could indicate significant structural stress or movement, and immediate professional intervention is needed.
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- Cracks Accompanied by Sagging Floors or Ceilings: This can be a sign of serious structural issues that could make the building unsafe.
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- Expanding Cracks: If the crack continues to grow over time, it indicates ongoing structural movement and should be investigated.
Dangerous Situations
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- Foundation Issues: Cracks in the foundation, especially large horizontal cracks, can be dangerous as they may indicate foundation failure. This requires immediate assessment and repair.
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- Moisture-Related Cracks: If cracks are accompanied by dampness, mould, or water infiltration, they can weaken the structural components of your house over time.
When to Seek Help
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- If the cracks are large, horizontal, diagonal, or growing, or if they are accompanied by other signs of structural problems (such as uneven floors or doors sticking), it’s important to consult a structural engineer or building inspector to assess the situation.
2. Monitor the Cracks On Your Wall
It is important to pay attention to the cracks. You can easily use a pencil or tape to mark the edges of the crack and note the date near it. Additional things that you can do is to use your smartphone and snap a few pictures of it. If the crack gets bigger over time, there’s probably a bigger problem.
3. Look for Other Signs
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- Check for additional warning signs of structural issues, such as:
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- Doors or windows that don’t close properly
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- Sloping floors
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- Cracks in the foundation or external walls
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- Water damage, mould, or dampness near the cracks
4. Identify Possible Causes of the Cracks
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- Settlement or Shrinkage: As newly built houses settle over time, this is a common occurrence that can lead to small to medium-sized cracks on walls and ceilings. Although these changes are normal during the building process, homeowners should keep a close eye on them.
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- Moisture Problems: Water damage can lead to significant cracks without you notice, especially if there are leaks in the roof or walls that allow moisture to penetrate. If not addressed promptly, these issues can worsen over time, leading to more extensive and expensive damage.
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- Foundation Problems: Soil movement, poor drainage, or shifting foundations can cause larger and more serious cracks that may compromise the structural integrity of the home. Regular inspections can help identify these problems early.
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- Temperature changes: Building materials may expand and contract as a result of abrupt temperature changes, which may cause fractures. Homeowners need to be aware of the possible effects because this is especially typical in places with drastic weather swings.
5. Fix Minor Cracks
For small, non-structural cracks, you can fill them with filler or plaster and repaint. You can buy them from your local hardware stores. Then, please make sure the cause of the crack like humidity or others is addressed so that the cracks won’t happen again and ruin your beautiful house!
6. Consult a Professional
If the cracks are wide or growing, have jagged edges, or are accompanied by other issues like sticking doors/windows, contact a structural engineer or building inspector to assess the severity immediately! A professional can determine if repairs to the foundation, walls, or structural components are needed.
7. Foundation Repair
If there are problems with the foundation, a qualified professional may suggest supporting or other techniques to strengthen and enhance the base. These methods are essential to guarantee the building’s foundational stability and to stop additional damage that can result from an unstable foundation.
8. Prevent Future Cracks
You may ask, what should you do to prevent more cracks on your house walls in the future? Here are the things that you could do:
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- Ensure proper drainage around your home to prevent water damage.
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- Avoid large trees close to the foundation as their roots can impact the structure of your house.
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- Maintain a stable internal temperature to reduce the expansion and contraction of materials.
Handling cracks early can save you from much more expensive repairs later.
Building Inspection Experts & Construction Company
While we may provide you with tips on what you should do when cracks occur in your house, we do understand that not everyone has the time or energy to do so. By entrusting this task to professionals like Big Bass Building Solution, you can save time and most importantly ensure that your house won’t be a dangerous place for you and your family because the cracks can be a ticking bomb!
Contact us, your local construction company, for services in Bega Valley Shire and the broader Sapphire Coast, spanning from Eden to Bermagui, Tathra to Bombala and all towns in between.