Cracks are a common sight in households, whether it is due to the structure of the house shifting or damage caused by clumsy family members. While this damage is typically superficial, is there a time when to worry about wall cracks? These cracks all have different causes, which means they all have varying levels of severity when it comes to needing to be repaired.
Cracks in walls are visually unappealing, immediately conjuring thoughts that there is something wrong with the home. In some cases, this is true, and in others it is not, making it important to be aware of the different types of cracks and what they represent. Armed with this information, homeowners will be able to make the right choices moving forward for their property.
If you are searching for building and pest inspections to give you peace of mind when investing in property, give us a call on 1300 553 007, send an email to info@asbir.com.au, or request a free quote.
The Different Types of Cracks in Walls
Multiple, Large Cracks
A general rule about when to worry about wall cracks is that the bigger the crack is, the bigger the problem. While small cracks are often just superficial, bigger cracks can represent problems with your home’s foundation that need to be immediately remedied. If multiple cracks are appearing in the same area, either vertically or horizontally, then this is a sign to contact a professional and have them inspect your home as soon as possible.
Internal Plasterboard Cracks
Cracking in the plasterboard or gyprock of your internal walls and ceilings is often the first cracks in walls that you might notice in your home. Whether the cracking is vertical, horizontal or diagonal makes little difference. If you have noticed cracking in your home the first thing to do is measure how wide the crack is.
As a general rule, if it is under 1mm wide, you probably don’t need to worry about it. The next step is to go outside and see if there is corresponding cracking in the exterior fabric of the house in the general area of the internal cracking. If you notice a pattern of cracking that is both internal and external, it is time to call a licensed professional to get some advice.
External Cracks
Cracking to the external brickwork, concrete or render is common. The most common type of cracking you will see is small sub 1mm cracking to rendered brick or concrete walls. As per the internal fabric, if the cracking to the exterior is under 1mm in thickness, this is usually not when to worry about wall cracks.
The next most common type of cracking to see is called step-through cracking. Step-through cracking is seen in brickwork, whether rendered, bagged or exposed. This diagonal pattern of cracking runs through the mortar joints of the brickwork and follows a stepping pattern as it runs down or up the courses of brickwork.
Step through cracking should be investigated by a licensed professional if it meets certain criteria:
- If the cracking runs from the bottom course or top course and continues through more than 1/3rd of the height of the wall
- If the cracking is wider at the top than the bottom by more than a couple of millimetres
- If it’s obvious that part of the wall is moving away from the other part of the wall
In all these instances a building inspector or engineer should be consulted.
If the cracking runs directly vertical and has cracked through the centre of several bricks as well as the mortar of others and is more than a couple of millimetres wide, a licensed building inspector or engineer should be consulted, especially if this is accompanied by internal plasterboard cracking.
How to Fix Cracks in Walls
There are many common causes for cracks to appear in your walls. These include but are not limited to:
- Structural issues or subsidence
- A home settling on its foundations
- General wear and tear
- Plaster cracking as it dries
- Water ingress
- Vibrations from nearby traffic and construction
- Pests such as termites
While some of these causes are normal and don’t pose a threat to your home’s wellbeing, if you believe the issue represents a structural risk, it’s time to call a professional. A building inspector will analyse the cracks while also inspecting every other part of your home to provide a comprehensive report that details your property’s exact state and any current and future risks.
They provide solutions to remedy these issues, which may include a structural engineer visiting your home to inspect the building’s foundations and list any work that needs to be done to ensure you have a safe home. Even if the cracks only end up being superficial, you will still receive peace of mind that your property is safe.
Need Advice for When to Worry About Wall Cracks?
At ASBIR, we proudly provide the property inspections Brisbane trusts to help protect their investments. Whether you are wondering about when to worry about wall cracks in your home, or you need a professional inspection before purchasing a new property, our experienced team will provide you with all the information you need to know.
Request a free quote to get started or send an email to info@asbir.com.au or give us a call on 1300 553 007 to speak to a friendly member of our staff about how we can help you.
