Drywall Cracks? Five Different Types and What They Mean

There’s nothing more unsettling than looking up to see a giant crack flowing down on your wall or ceiling.

Luckily, not all drywall cracks mean you have a severe issue on your hands. Here are five different types of drywall cracks and what they mean for you and your home.

Horizontal Cracks

Horizontal cracks could be a sign of some issues with your home’s foundation. This could be a result of many problems, including

• issues with poor soil beneath the foundation (which therefore causes the foundation to shift or move around), and

• damage from excess water or flooding.

On the brighter side, a horizontal crack could indicate that there was drying or shrinking happening after the construction of your drywall.

If you notice horizontal cracks immediately after you have had work done to your drywall (or even up to a few months), you shouldn’t worry. However, if you see a sudden horizontal break appearing out of nowhere, you should call a professional out if repairs need to be made to the foundation.

Vertical Cracks

Because drywall is plastered together with vertical seams, if you see a vertical crack in your drywall, it could simply be a drywall issue and not a foundation issue. Typically with a surface-level break, you can repair it by filling in the crack with a joint compound.

To determine whether or not it’s a hairline crack that just needs to be filled or if you have a larger structural issue on your hands, take a utility knife to look in the crack and see if the crack extends completely through the paper covering the seam.

If it’s a small crack, then fill the crack with a new compound. Once you fill a hairline crack, it should not reappear.

Spiderweb Cracks

A spiderweb cracks refer to those cracks that have multiple arms and shoot out in all directions. Unfortunately, if you see large spiderweb cracks forming, this is usually a sign that there is an issue with the foundation.

Luckily, the smaller the cracks are, the less serious they are, and the less severe the repairs. If the cracks are thinner than 1/16 of an inch, they are probably happening because the drywall that was applied was too thick (which can create thin, web-like cracks when it dries).

When spiderweb cracks are this small, repairs aren’t a huge problem. Simply sand off the old compound and apply a new layer.

Jagged Cracks

Jagged cracks are on a bit more of the rarer side when it comes to cracks in drywall. However, if your cracks are large, jagged, or at sharp angles, this is most likely an indicator that you have issues with your foundation.

While it is possible that these cracks will not get worse or larger, it is possible that they will continue to grow. As a result, once you see these cracks, you should not hesitate to contact a certified professional because these cracks could be fairly serious. 

Brown or Yellow Cracks

Brown or yellow cracks almost always mean that there is water damage. If you notice any discoloration near the cracks, you should call a professional because water damage can spread to your entire home and cost you thousands in repairs if not taken care of as soon as possible.

Once you take care of the water damage, you will need to dry out your ceiling to assess the damage. If your ceiling or wall has been soaked, you will need to replace the drywall. If not, you can repair the cracks with a fresh coat of compound.

Final Thoughts

While finding cracks in your walls or ceiling can be unnerving, most of the time the cracks are a simple hairline crack that only needs fresh compound to make the repairs. However, if you are worried that the cracks are from a foundation issue, reach out to a professional like One Man & A Toolbox to inspect your home and advise you on the best way to fix it.