Walls are the most visible and essential parts of your home. They protect you from the external environment and provide support to your property. However, they can show signs of wear and tear over time.
Have you tried contacting a plasterer to inspect your house for cracks in the walls? You might think a slight gap on your wall doesn’t make a difference. After all, it’s small, and there’s no way it can get more apparent than it already is.
However, there are chances that cracks in walls will become more prominent and worsen over time. This is why it’s essential to pay attention to gaps in walls and fix them as soon as possible.
Typical Causes of Wall Cracks and How to Fix Them
Different things can cause cracks in the walls. The most common are the following:
1. Poor Concrete Mixing
Concrete is one of the prevalent materials used to construct houses. It’s a mixture of water, cement, and aggregates, such as sand or gravel. If the water-to-cement ratio is too high, the concrete will be too soft and susceptible to cracking. On the other hand, if the water to cement ratio is too low, the concrete will be too hard and break.
Concrete shrinks as it dries. If the concrete is not adequately mixed, it will shrink unevenly, causing cracks. The best way to ensure that your concrete mixes properly and shrinks evenly is to follow the instructions on the bag or from your contractor. Make sure you mix the right amount of water thoroughly before adding the concrete mix.
2. Temperature Changes
The walls of your home are constantly expanding and contracting due to temperature changes. This can cause cracks, which are more noticeable during the winter months when the temperature drops. Furthermore, the expansion and contraction of your walls can also cause nails to pop out, which can be unsightly and dangerous.
The initial thing you need to do is clean out the cracks. This will help the sealant or weather stripping adhere better. Next, fill the gaps with sealant or place weather stripping over them. Make sure to smooth it out so that it lies flat against the surface.
3. Shifting Foundations
While cracks in walls may not always cause alarm, if you notice them, it’s crucial to have a professional evaluate the situation to decide whether or not they pose a structural threat. In some cases, cracks are simply cosmetic and can be easily repaired. However, more comprehensive repairs may be necessary if the damages indicate a more severe problem, such as foundation instability.
If you notice cracks in walls that run vertically, this is a sign that the foundation is shifting. To fix this, you’ll need to have the foundation repaired by your local plasterer. They can replace the cracked material with new, stronger concrete to stabilise the foundation and prevent further cracking.
Final Thoughts
There are several reasons cracks might form in your walls, and it’s essential to pinpoint the cause before trying to fix it. Some of the most frequent causes of cracks include settlement, thermal expansion and contraction, and poor construction.
If you spot any cracks in your walls, it’s vital to have them inspected by a plasterer to determine the cause. Once the reason has been worked out, you can take steps to fix the problem and prevent future damage.
We Plaster & Recruit provides affordable and high-quality plastering services in Brisbane for your wall crack issues. Request a quote today!