Drywall Cracks Around Windows And Doors

Water leaking from a window or the roof or even a leaky attic water line can run down inside a wall s framing and saturate the drywall which then softens and deteriorates creating a crack with.

Drywall cracks around windows and doors.

If drywall or plaster surrounding the crack feels damp you may have a water infiltration issue. Allow the repair to dry thoroughly sand it smooth avoid exposing the tape and paint it. These cracks tend to. Vertical cracks run the same direction as drywall generally making them less serious.

Another common place to see these cracks is where two pieces of drywall come together. The mud fills in the seam and the tape covers it up. Whether your walls are made of plaster or drywall you can repair the cracks in two steps over a day or two and get the area ready to sand and paint. The most common areas are the corners of doors and windows as well as the corners of wall openings.

Most drywall cracks at door and window corners are not caused by structural issues. They re usually symptoms of a problem that reaches much deeper and you should take them very seriously. These cracks usually run either horizontal or vertical at the drywall seams. Check whether water is leaking into the crack.

Most are minor cosmetic or a maintenance type of issue however they can occasionally be a yellow or red flag warning sign that there are one or more structural problems. Drywall cracks may be a warning sign of structural issues. Usually the seams are invisible due to the use of drywall mud and tape. When the cracks you notice in your drywall and sheetrock are near the windows and doors that s another cause for concern.

Never take chances with cracks that leak because these are sometimes serious. If the crack is horizontal or runs at a jagged 45 degree angle it might mean there s a more serious problem. As homes settle cracks may radiate from the corners of doors and windows. Cracks form due to stress placed on the seams.

Try opening and closing the windows and doors. This is true of both exterior and interior doors and openings. Shifting foundations cause window frames and door frames to change shape cracking the walls nearby.