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Cracks in Wall Corners: What They
Mean & How to Fix Them

Table of Contents
1. What Are Wall Corner Cracks
2. Signs of Wall Corner Cracks
3. What Causes Wall Corner Cracks
4. How to Fix Wall Corner Cracks
5. Why Is Foundation Repair Important?

ceiling wall corner crack

When you notice a wall crack, you may wonder how it got there. These cracks, whether large or small, may indicate underlying structural damage. Understanding the causes and solutions for these cracks is vital for maintaining your property’s safety and integrity. 

This guide explains how to identify wall corner cracks and provides practical methods to address them.

What Are Wall Corner Cracks?

Wall corner cracks are fractures at the intersections of your home’s interior walls or drywall. They vary in size and pattern and often signal underlying foundation or structural issues.

The Signs of Wall Corner Cracks

Wall cracks come in various forms and often signal deeper structural issues. The signs include:

  • Diagonal Cracks: Extending from the corners of doors or windows.
  • Vertical or Horizontal Cracks: Running along the walls or ceilings.
  • Spiderweb Cracks: Spreading out in multiple directions from a central point.

Minor cracks may indicate severe underlying problems; larger ones often require immediate attention.

Vertical wall cracks

What Causes Wall Corner Cracks?

Wall corner cracks are often caused by foundation issues. Common causes include:

water accumulation in grassy yard poor drainage
  • Foundation Settlement and Soil Movement: Homes experience natural settlement over time as the soil beneath them shifts and compacts. Excessive or uneven settlement can lead to foundation movement, causing cracks to appear in wall corners.
  • Structural Issues: Problems such as sinking supports, bowed walls, or weakened beams can result in wall corner cracks and must be addressed to prevent further damage.
  • Home Additions or Renovations: Adding extra weight to a home through renovations or additions can cause stress on the foundation, leading to cracks in wall corners.
  • Water Damage: Leaky pipes, poor drainage, or inadequate gutter systems allow water to infiltrate the soil around your foundation, weakening it and causing cracks.

How to Fix Wall Corner Cracks

The repair method used for wall corner crack repair depends on the severity of the damage. Here are a few ways to repair cracks:

Minor Cracks

Minor cracks may only require a simple patch and paint job. However, it’s essential to monitor these areas, as they might reappear if the underlying issue is not addressed. Professionals diagnose these problems and offer permanent repair options. Never assume a crack is too small for inspection.

wall crack by window

Severe Cracks

Significant cracks often indicate severe foundation issues that require comprehensive repair solutions. These might include:

Professional Assessment and Repair

Professional inspection and repair are crucial for determining the underlying causes of wall corner cracks. Foundation repair experts provide tailored solutions, ensuring a long-term fix rather than a temporary patch.

crew member inspecting foundation

Why is Foundation Repair Important? 

Addressing cracks at the first sign of damage is crucial for preventing further damage and potential foundation issues. Here are a few more reasons why:

crew member installing push piers foundation repair
  • Prevents Water Intrusion: Crack repair prevents water seepage and moisture problems, reducing mold growth and potential structural damage.
  • Preserves Structural Integrity: Repairs preserve your home’s stability and safety by addressing concerns before they worsen.
  • Reduces Repair Costs: Early intervention reduces repair costs by preventing further damage that requires extensive solutions.
  • Enhances Property Value: Well-maintained properties typically have enhanced value over those with visible signs of neglect.
  • Ensured Safety: Addressing cracks and foundation issues ensures your home’s stability and safety.

Addressing cracks and foundation issues protects your property and prevents further complications.

Contact Bay Area Underpinning for a Free Inspection

Wall corner cracks may seem like minor cosmetic issues, but they may indicate structural concerns that require repair.

Contact Bay Area Underpinning for a free inspection to ensure your home’s safety and structural integrity. We proudly serve San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, and the surrounding Bay Area.

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    Contact Us For Your Free Inspection

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    Wall Crack Repair FAQs

    Repairing average drywall cracks through patching usually costs between $300 and $500. However, patching merely conceals the underlying foundation issues affecting your home. The cost of foundation repair varies considerably, depending on several factors. To determine the exact cost, it’s best to request a free inspection from Bay Area Underpinning (BAU), which also offers flexible financing options to accommodate your budget.

    Handling minor cracks might seem doable, but foundation repair is typically beyond the scope of a DIY project. Inaccurate repairs can exacerbate the issue. Given Northern California’s distinctive environmental factors, professional evaluation and repair by a company like Bay Area Underpinning are strongly advised to ensure a proper and lasting fix.

    It can be concerning to spot cracks in your home’s drywall. But what do these cracks signify, and what triggers them? Drywall cracks often signal foundation problems that necessitate the expertise of professional repair services.

    At Bay Area Underpinning, we boast over 25 years of experience in diagnosing and rectifying foundation damage. Delve into the causes of drywall cracks, how to rectify them, and why you should get in touch with Bay Area Underpinning, the experts in foundation repair.

    What Are Drywall Cracks?

    Drywall cracks are fractures or breaks that develop in the drywall panels used for interior walls and ceilings. These cracks usually emerge due to the settling of the home’s foundation. Since drywall possesses minimal structural integrity, it is prone to cracking under pressure.

    Some typical indicators of drywall cracks include:

    • Diagonal cracks extending from door or window corners towards the ceiling.
    • Cracks above doors and windows.
    • Long horizontal or vertical cracks along walls and ceilings.
    • Spiderweb-like crack patterns on walls and ceilings.

    Even minor hairline cracks can serve as signs of foundation problems. Larger cracks raise the likelihood of substantial foundation damage.

    What Leads to Drywall Cracks?

    Several common factors contribute to drywall cracks:

    • Settling and soil shifts: All homes naturally settle over time as the soil beneath them compacts. However, excessive or uneven settling due to soil expansion, erosion, or compression can cause foundation cracks that manifest on the drywall. This is the most frequent cause of drywall cracks.
    • Foundation structural issues: Foundation problems such as sinking footings or cracked slabs can also lead to drywall cracks as the foundation moves.
    • Renovations or additions: Adding weight to sections of the home, such as constructing an addition or installing heavy tile, stone, or wood flooring, can result in foundation settling and subsequent drywall cracks.
    • Plumbing leaks: Water leaks and moisture infiltration from underground pipes, gutters, and other sources can erode soil and destabilize foundations.

    Drywall cracks serve as your home’s way of signaling that something is amiss with the underlying structure. Disregarding them risks further foundation damage and the structural integrity of your home.

    Can You Repair Drywall Cracks?

    Indeed, you can repair drywall cracks, but it’s not as straightforward as patching and repainting. Although you can patch most minor cracks and repaint, they are likely to reappear if you leave the underlying foundation issues unaddressed. Hence, we do not recommend settling for temporary, DIY fixes. To effectively repair drywall cracks, you must resolve the foundation issues causing them.

    Here’s what you can do:

    • For minor cracks, patch and repaint them to enhance their appearance. However, bear in mind that these cracks may return if foundation problems persist.
    • Major cracks may necessitate replacing damaged drywall after executing appropriate foundation repairs such as piers, footings, waterproofing, or wall reinforcements.

    How Bay Area Underpinning Can Permanently Address Drywall Cracks

    At Bay Area Underpinning, our seasoned foundation repair experts can identify the causes of your home’s drywall cracks and implement tailor-made solutions. Our exclusive foundation repair techniques encompass:

    • Steel foundation piers (helical or push piers) are driven deep into the ground to provide reinforced support.
    • Waterproofing systems, including interior drainage and sump pumps.
    • If your home is built over a basement: wall anchors, steel I-beams, and/or carbon fiber straps.
    • If your home is constructed over a crawl space: crawl space support jacks.

    We also offer crawl space encapsulation to mitigate moisture issues that contribute to foundation and drywall damage. By elevating and re-leveling settled foundations while preventing water intrusion, our solutions definitively stabilize foundations and structures, preventing the recurrence of drywall cracks. Furthermore, we provide extensive warranties on our products.

    Why Address Drywall Cracks Promptly?

    There are compelling reasons to address drywall cracks as soon as possible:

    • Drywall cracks worsen over time, with small cracks expanding and causing significant structural instability.
    • Neglecting cracks jeopardizes more costly foundation repairs down the line.
    • Cracks permit moisture infiltration, hastening foundation deterioration.
    • Existing cracks affect aesthetics and home values, making it challenging to sell the property.
    • Repairs become more intricate the longer they are postponed, and settling issues intensify.

    Choose Bay Area Underpinning Today!

    Take charge of your home’s structural stability. Reach out to Bay Area Underpinning today to schedule a complimentary inspection and receive a quote for your foundation repairs. We are here to offer swift and lasting solutions, safeguarding your home from further damage.

    Securing the foundation of your home is paramount, and Bay Area Underpinning stands as your dedicated ally in this endeavor. With our seasoned expertise and commitment to excellence, we will meticulously assess the extent of the damage and tailor a repair strategy that addresses the unique needs of your home.

    FAQs

    Surface cracks only affect the drywall’s surface and are primarily cosmetic. Structural cracks extend into or through the drywall, resulting from foundation movement and damage. Only structural cracks necessitate foundation repair. However, distinguishing between surface and structural cracks can be challenging, so it’s advisable to contact a professional promptly to assess them.

    Repairing average drywall cracks through patching usually costs between $300 and $500. However, patching merely conceals the underlying foundation issues affecting your home. The cost of foundation repair varies considerably, depending on several factors. To determine the exact cost, it’s best to request a free inspection from Bay Area Underpinning (BAU), which also offers flexible financing options to accommodate your budget.

    After inspection, foundation repairs generally take only 1-2 days, and you won’t have to vacate your home during the process.

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    Shaye Glisson

    Shaye Glisson

    Shaye is an SEO Content Writer for Groundworks with over twelve years of experience creating helpful content across various industries, including home services and retail. She is a Gulf Coast native and writes from her firsthand knowledge of the area's hurricane and flood impacts on the local community. In her free time, Shaye enjoys exploring the local food and music scenes.

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