Wall Cracks Above Door

Hairline cracks over doors and windows are likely due to settling.

Wall cracks above door.

Those hairline wall cracks that appear above windows and doors are caused when framing lumber dries out and shrinks or the structure settles. They re often found at the corners of window and door frames and can be patched using spackling or joint compound. This is true of both exterior and interior doors and openings. Most small cracks in drywall or plaster walls are not serious and are caused by seasonal expansion and contraction of the wood framing in your house over time.

But if you notice a lot of cracks deeper cracks or other concerns talk with a foundation repair company for advice. Thin cracks in just a few places above doors and windows can be re taped and painted to restore your home s aesthetics. When seams must land above an opening keep the seam at least 7 in. How to determine if the cracks in walls are serious.

Houses of any age move and shift subtly over time and the weakest area in a wall is the most likely to crack. 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. These cracks usually run either horizontal or vertical at the drywall seams. I try to avoid locating seams between drywall panels above door and window openings because this invites cracking as the building settles.

If there are doors located in the walls where truss lift occurs then it is not uncommon for there to be cracks near or at the door corners however the majority of cracks caused by truss uplift are where the walls meet the ceiling. These cracks are serious and require professional attention. Another common place to see these cracks is where two pieces of drywall come together. Small cracks located above interior windows or doors are usually harmless.

Simply spackling over the trouble spots seldom hides them for long. There s no exact method for determining how serious a wall crack is without hiring an expert to examine the wall but you might be able to. Allow the repair to dry thoroughly sand it smooth avoid exposing the tape and paint it. Away from the edge.

The most common areas are the corners of doors and windows as well as the corners of wall openings. Do cracks in my walls indicate a structural problem rachel. These cracks are usually on the walls where the trusses run perpendicular to where a wall meets the ceiling.