Interior Cracking is a fairly common problem that affects both new and old or structures. It often is a result of a property that quickly settles. It can often be inexpensively corrected through structural analysis. It’s often explained through thermal expansion. But how do you know when interior cracking is just an aesthetic problem or a structural risk?
Oftentimes, interior cracking can reveal signs of a larger structural engineering problem. When this is the case, it’s no longer a problem of simply addressing the cracks; the underlying issue that caused the structure to crack a part needs to be addressed. Only a detailed structural analysis will shine a light on the true issue.
Causes of Cracks in Walls
Occasionally, new structures that have just been built will show interior cracking as your structure settles. This will be a result of the materials used containing high levels of moisture. When that moisture begins to dry, the reduction in space may cause small cracks throughout the structure.
If this is a new structure, it’s a good idea to wait 6 months to a year before any repair efforts. This will give it time for the materials to dry out. After waiting a while, you can begin repairing any cracks in the walls or joints around the structure. You must give time for the moisture to dry out before understanding the whole picture.
If this is an older structure revealing noticeable interior cracks, continue reading to uncover the exact crack measurements that should concern you.
Are You Experiencing Large Interior Wall Cracks?
Once you ensure that your structure has had the proper time to settle, it’s important to evaluate the size of your interior cracks. How large are they? Getting an up-close and measuring will help you determine the culprit. An even better choice would be to get a structural engineering team to perform the measurements.
Certain size cracks can be indicative of structural or foundation problems. If the cracks in your walls exhibit these characteristics, it’s time to get alarmed:
- Cracks wider than a 3/16” gap.
- Is one side of your wall higher than the other?
- Do building doors not close or are unaligned?
If a brief inspection reveals one of these signs, it could paint a picture of a larger structural engineering problem. This would be a great time to reach out to your structural engineering team for answers. Regardless if a structure is old or new, any cracks wider than three-sixteenth of an inch should be scrutinized by a professional.
Small, hairline cracks are of no concern and are often caused by the humidity or moisture in the materials that certain regions exhibit. Known as thermal expansion, this type of interior cracking can be fixed quite easily with a bit of concrete spackling. Three-sixteenth of an inch or more is where you should start to get alarmed. This length of a gap can sometimes reveal areas where one side of the crack doesn’t match up to the other side. That’s when you can take things to DEFCON 3.