Sunday, September 29, 2013

Reasons Why Your Drywall Cracks

By Lori Philipps


Finding the common cause of your damaged drywall is important if you've been stuck with carrying out drywall repairs from time to time. Doing this avoids encountering unnecessary disasters in the future. For professional help, you can always contact a specialist to repair your drywall immediately.

It is normal for your drywall to crack if your foundation is settling. You may have to call a home inspector to check the structural issues if there are cracks at the centermost and highest corners near the ceiling. After the inspection, certain adjustments will be made by a structural engineer when necessary.

If you think your drywall is always moist, check your plumbing connections. You may have a leaking pipe or plumbing fixture that causes the mold and mildew development. This should not be taken lightly since mold can affect the air quality of your home. Paint can wear off anytime if the moisture issues aren't addressed on time.

In some cities, drywall is usually nested by swarms of termites. When this happens, you may notice having dirt tubes underground in the foundation or in your exterior walls. At this point, it is best to call a pest-control professional to look for other signs of termite infestation.

A drywall can look shabby and old once it has dents, bumps and holes all over the panel. Fortunately, you can simply repair this by patching a new piece of drywall over the damage area. Protect the wall from developing doorknob dents by using rubber stoppers.

You can repair holes by squaring it off with a razor blade. For small holes, slip a backer board behind the opening or attach back frames when carrying out large-scale repairs. Countersink the nails into the backer board before installing the panel. Cover the seams and gaps with a fiberglass mesh tape.

Apply a thin coating of joint compound over the tape pieces and let it dry. Repeat this process until the edges have been feathered out. Lightly sand the surface with a sanding block and wipe the surface clean afterwards. Prime and paint.

Knowing the causes of drywall cracks and how to repair can come in handy in times of emergency. However, you can still ask help from a specialist to learn more tips and tricks from the experts. Taking good care of your drywall is essential even if it breaks easily over a period of time.




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