Drywall Cracks

Cracks in your home’s drywall can be more than just an eyesore; they can be an early warning sign of underlying foundation problems that require immediate attention. Ignoring these can lead to severe and expensive issues down the line. 

With over two decades of experience, Tar Heel Basement Systems specializes in identifying and repairing foundation issues that lead to drywall cracks. We serve homeowners across North Carolina, offering personalized, high-quality repair solutions. In this article, we’ll look into what drywall cracks mean, their common causes, and why a consultation with our experts could save your home from long-term damage. 
 

What Are Drywall Cracks? 

Drywall cracks are lines, fissures, or breaks that appear in the drywall material making up your home’s walls and ceilings. These cracks are often symptomatic of shifts and foundational settlement, and because drywall has very little structural integrity, it’s one of the first places where signs of foundation issues manifest. 

Common Types of Drywall Cracks Include: 

• Diagonal Cracks: These often start at the corners of doors or windows and extend diagonally towards the ceiling. They may indicate uneven settling of the foundation. 
• Horizontal and Vertical Cracks: Found along the length of walls or ceilings, these can be indicative of more severe foundational issues. 
• Web-Like Cracks: These spiderweb patterns are often surface level but can sometimes indicate deeper issues, especially if they proliferate over time. 

The size and pattern of the drywall cracks can be indicative of the severity of the underlying foundation problem. 

Causes of Drywall Cracks 

Drywall cracks can be triggered by various factors, each with its implications for the foundation and overall structure of your home. 

• Soil Movement and Settling: Natural soil compaction or erosion can cause your home to settle unevenly, leading to drywall cracks. 
• Structural Problems: Issues like sinking footings, cracked slabs, or bowing walls in the basement can cause significant stress, manifesting as drywall cracks upstairs. 
• Home Renovations: Significant changes to your home’s structure, like an addition or heavy flooring installation, can shift the foundation enough to cause drywall to crack. 
• Water Damage: Leaks from pipes or poor drainage can erode the soil supporting your foundation, leading to settling and cracks. 

Ignoring these red flags can result in more serious structural damage, potentially compromising the safety of your home. 

Can Drywall Cracks Be Fixed? 

Absolutely, drywall cracks can be fixed, but it’s crucial to understand that treating the symptom without addressing the root cause is akin to putting a band-aid on a deep wound. Simply patching and painting over a drywall crack may make it less visible, but it does nothing to resolve the structural issues that caused the crack to appear in the first place. Ignoring the deeper problems risks both the safety and value of your home. 

Immediate Actions 

• Small Cracks: Hairline cracks can be patched and painted over, but this is only a cosmetic fix. However, bear in mind that while hairline cracks may seem inconsequential, they can be early indicators of a more significant foundation issue. These can often be patched and painted over for cosmetic improvement. However, this approach is like silencing a warning alarm without resolving the underlying issue. 
• Major Cracks: Deep and wider cracks often require more intensive repairs, including potential foundation repair and drywall replacement. 

How Tar Heel Basement Systems Can Help 

Tar Heel Basement Systems employs a team of experienced foundation repair specialists capable of diagnosing and treating the root causes of your drywall cracks. 

Our Solutions Include: 

• Steel foundation piers (helical or push piers) can be driven deep into the ground for reinforced support. 
• Waterproofing systems like interior drainage and sump pumps can protect your home from moisture intrusion. 
• If your home is supported over a basement, we may use: wall anchors, steel I-beams, and/or carbon fiber straps. 
• If your home is supported over a crawl space, we regularly recommend crawl space support jacks. 
• We also offer crawl space encapsulation to stop moisture problems that contribute to foundation and drywall damage. 

Our repair methods come with extensive warranties, ensuring that your foundation—and by extension, your drywall—is secure for the long term. 

Why Act Now? 

• Escalation: Small cracks can quickly evolve into bigger, more damaging issues, potentially affecting the structural integrity of your home. 
• Financial Implications: Ignoring the issue now can result in significantly higher repair costs later. 
• Home Value: Visible cracks can deter potential buyers, affecting your home’s market value. 

Choose Tar Heel Basement Systems for Reliable Solutions 

Don’t let minor drywall cracks escalate into major foundation problems. Contact Tar Heel Basement Systems today to schedule your free inspection and get a comprehensive quote for foundation repairs that last. 

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