Knowing when to seek professional help for wall cracks.

Discovering a crack on your wall is often associated with potential house hazards. However, according to Mike Powell, a structural engineer and owner of Red Flag Home Inspection in Tampa, Florida, wall cracks are a common occurrence in homes. Typically, these cracks are harmless and stem from the natural settling of a house. This settling can be triggered by various factors like soil compression, temperature fluctuations, or changes in building materials leading to shrinkage or expansion.

Understanding Wall Cracks in Newer Homes

According to experts, in newer homes, wall cracks often occur due to primary consolidation as the building adjusts to its surroundings. This settling process happens more quickly in the initial years post-construction and generally stabilizes over time, making early cracks appear more concerning than they typically are.

Signs of a Serious Problem

In some cases, wall cracks may indicate a larger and more severe issue with the foundation and structural stability of your home. Factors such as poor construction, shifting soil, and the presence of water seeping and accumulating beneath the foundation can all contribute to cracked walls that point to underlying foundation issues.

Identifying Potential Risks

How can you differentiate between harmless settling cracks and those that signify a significant structural or foundation problem? To help homeowners navigate this concern, Powell outlines key indicators to watch for when observing wall cracks in their homes.

When Should I Be Concerned About Wall Cracks?

Typically, horizontal or diagonal cracks pose more significant concerns compared to vertical cracks. It is essential to keep an eye on any wall cracks in your home and observe if they are spreading. If you notice the cracks expanding or new ones emerging, it is advisable to seek assistance from a foundation specialist or structural engineer.

Certain warning signs that necessitate professional intervention include cracks that widen to three millimeters or more, cracks above doors, windows, or at intersections of walls and ceilings, and cracks that accompany other issues such as stuck doors or windows, uneven floors, or a drooping ceiling.

Disregarding structural wall cracks can result in potentially hazardous structural issues in your home and may lead to more expensive and extensive repairs.

Identifying Settlement Cracks

Settlement cracks are typically vertical lines or hairline cracks that appear in weak spots such as doors, windows, and wall corners. These cracks, usually less than 1/10 of an inch wide, are a common occurrence within the first few years of a home settling on its foundation.

These cracks result from the compression of soil beneath a home due to its weight. Environmental factors like moisture fluctuations, temperature variations causing wall expansion or contraction, humidity differences indoors and outdoors, or errors during drywall installation can also lead to nonstructural settlement cracks.

Identifying Structural Cracks

Distinguishing structural cracks involves noting horizontal cracks with stair-step patterns, wide and uneven openings, or diagonal cracks at a 45-degree angle, often near doors, windows, or wall corners.

Additionally, uneven thickness across the crack or its trajectory from ceiling to wall signifies structural cracks, which are typically broader than settlement cracks.

Determining If a Wall Crack Is Structural

If you observe cracks that appear to be potentially structural, it is advisable to engage a structural engineer or foundation specialist to evaluate your home. Structural cracks may result from various issues, such as improperly compacted soil before construction, inadequate site preparation, or the use of incorrect fill material.

Fluctuations in moisture levels, like those caused by drought or heavy rainfall, can worsen settling, particularly in soils prone to expansion or contraction.

Is It Safe to Stay in a House With Wall Cracks?

Most wall cracks do not pose an immediate safety hazard, especially if they remain stable and do not show signs of getting worse.

However, cracks that are getting wider, accompanied by structural issues like uneven floors or doors that stick, may indicate a more significant problem.

Homeowners should be especially cautious of cracks in crucial load-bearing walls, also known as “bearing walls,” which bear the weight of the floor or roof above them. In these cases, or if unsure about the cause of a wall crack, it is advisable to seek advice from a structural engineer to address any potential issues before they escalate.