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Drywall Cracks

cracked drywall near the corner of a door frame

Drywall cracks, sometimes referred to as cracks in drywall or wall cracks, can be concerning for any homeowner. These fissures often signal underlying issues, such as foundation movement or structural stress. While drywall itself lacks structural strength, it is susceptible to stress cracks caused by shifting or settling of the home’s foundation over time.

At AquaGuard Foundation Solutions, we have over 25 years of experience diagnosing and repairing foundation damage. Read on to learn more about the causes of drywall cracks, how to fix them, and why you should contact the foundation repair experts at AquaGuard today. 

What Are Drywall Cracks? 

Drywall cracks are fissures or breaks that develop in the drywall panels used for interior walls and ceilings. They typically occur due to settling of the home’s foundation. Drywall itself has very little structural integrity, so it easily cracks under pressure. 

drywall cracks around a door frame

Some common signs of drywall cracks include: 

  • Diagonal cracks extending from door or window corners up toward the ceiling 
  • Cracks above doors and windows 
  • Long horizontal or vertical cracks along walls and ceilings 
  • Spidery crack patterns on walls and ceilings 

Even small hairline cracks in drywall can be signs of foundation problems. The larger the cracks are, the more likely major foundation damage has occurred. 

What Causes Drywall Cracks? 

There are a few common causes of drywall cracks: 

  • Settling and soil movement: All homes settle over time as the soil underneath naturally compacts. But excessive or uneven settling due to soil expansion, erosion, or compression can cause foundation cracks that transfer to drywall. This is the most common cause of drywall cracks. 
  • Foundation structural issues: Problems with the foundation like sinking footings, bowing walls, or cracked slabs also cause drywall cracks as the foundation moves. 
  • Remodeling or additions: Adding weight to parts of the home, like building an addition or installing heavy tile, stone, or wood flooring, can cause foundations to settle and create stress cracks. 
  • Leaky plumbing: Water leaks and moisture intrusion from underground pipes, gutters, and other sources can erode soil and destabilize foundations. 

Drywall cracks are your home’s way of telling you that something is wrong with the underlying structure. Ignoring them risks further foundation damage and destruction of your home’s structural integrity. 

Can You Fix Cracks in Drywall? 

Yes, you can fix drywall cracks, but it’s not as simple as patching it over and repainting. While you can certainly do that with most small hairline cracks in drywall, they’ll likely just come back after a while if you leave the underlying foundation issues unaddressed. That’s why we don’t recommend you just settle for temporary, DIY fixes. To fix drywall cracks, you need to solve the foundation problems that caused them. 

Here’s what you can do: 

  • For small wall cracks, you can patch them up and paint over them to make them look better. But keep in mind that these cracks might come back if you don’t fix the foundation issues. 
  • Major stress cracks may call for replacing damaged drywall after completing appropriate foundation repairs like piers, footings, waterproofing, or wall reinforcements. 

How AquaGuard Can Permanently Fix Drywall Cracks 

At AquaGuard Foundation Solutions, our experienced foundation repair experts can diagnose the causes of your home’s drywall cracks and implement customized solutions. Our proprietary foundation repair methods include: 

AquaGuard technician repairing a foundation

We also offer crawl space encapsulation to stop moisture problems that contribute to foundation and drywall damage. 

Our solutions permanently stabilize foundations and structures by lifting and re-leveling settled foundations and stopping water intrusion, preventing settlement cracks from returning. We even offer extensive warranties on our products. 

Why Repair Drywall Cracks Now? 

There are important reasons you should repair drywall cracks as soon as possible: 

crack in drywall extending to door frame
  • Drywall cracks worsen over time. Small cracks get bigger and lead to serious structural instability. 
  • Ignoring cracks in drywall risks more expensive foundation repairs down the road. 
  • Cracks allow moisture intrusion that accelerates foundation deterioration. 
  • Existing wall cracks impact aesthetics and home values. Unaddressed cracks make selling difficult. 
  • Repairs only get more complicated the longer you wait. Settlement only gets worse. 

Choose AquaGuard Foundation Solutions Today! 

AquaGuard company truck in neighborhood

Ignoring cracks in drywall could allow minor issues to escalate into significant foundation problems. Promptly addressing drywall cracks ensures your home remains safe, structurally sound, and free from costly repairs down the line.

Take control of your home’s structural stability. Contact AquaGuard Foundation Solutions today to schedule a free inspection and quote for your foundation repairs. We’re here to provide the swift, lasting solutions you need to prevent further home damage. 

FAQs

Surface cracks only penetrate the drywall surface and are mainly cosmetic. Structural cracks extend into or through the drywall and are caused by foundation movement and damage. Only structural cracks require foundation repair. However, the line between surface and structural is hard to distinguish, so if you see any cracks, call a professional ASAP to get them checked out. 

Just patching average drywall cracks typically costs $300-$500. However, patching only ever covers up the underlying foundation issues affecting your home. The cost of foundation repair varies a lot—and for many reasons. The best way to find out how much it’s going to cost is by getting a free inspection from AquaGuard. If you pick us, we have flexible financing options to help repairs best fit your budget.

After inspection, repairs usually only take 1-2 days, and you won’t have to vacate your home to get them done. 

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Our Locations

Athens Office

1 Huntington Rd., Suite 803,
Athens, GA 30606

North Atlanta Office

875 Pickens Industrial Dr
Marietta, GA 30062

Peachtree City Office

382 Senoia Rd
Tyrone, GA 30290

South Atlanta Office

3205 South Martin St.,
East Point, GA 30344