8 Most common types of wall cracks

Interior Wall Cracks

The most common type of interior wall cracks are caused by moisture from a leak or flood. They can be small or large, and they can occur anywhere in the home, but most commonly they appear along baseboards or around windows or doors. Causes of interior wall cracks can include:

• The walls are not properly sealed to the foundation, which can cause water to seep in and freeze.
• The building is settling unevenly, causing some of the wall’s weight to be borne by the floor.
• There is inadequate support for the wall, such as a bad foundation or inadequate framing.

You should call a professional if the crack extends through the interior of the wall. This may indicate that a serious problem exists, such as moisture damage or dry rot.

Exterior Wall Cracks

When there is a small crack in the exterior wall or ceiling of your house, it is referred to as an exterior wall crack. Exterior wall cracks usually occur during times of high humidity or freezing weather.

These cracks are very dangerous and may lead to mold growth, water damage, and even structural damage if not repaired properly. The damage can also allow entry to pests such as termites, ants, wasps, bees, and rats.

The exterior wall cracks could be due to a variety of reasons. The most common cause of exterior wall cracks is the shrinkage and expansion of building materials due to the natural movement of the earth’s crust, causing changes in temperature and humidity. If there are any gaps in the building materials or if they are not installed correctly, this can also cause cracks.

Foundation Wall Cracks

Foundation cracks—also called foundation settling—are caused by structural problems in the home. It’s normal to have a small amount of settling every few years, but if you notice cracks in your walls that are more than a few inches wide, you should call a foundation repair specialist to determine the cause.

There are many causes of foundation wall cracks. The first is improper installation. If the wall was not installed properly, a crack will result, and masonry repairs will be needed to fix the problem. If the wall was correctly installed, but is now settling, there may be a problem with the foundation. It may have settled too much. A masonry contractor should repair the foundation if possible and check for other problems that may be causing the wall to crack. Foundation walls are also susceptible to issues like termites, mold, and water damage.

Structural Cracks

A structural crack is an area where the wall has cracked due to repeated stress with little visible damage. These cracks are common in older homes, often found on the second story and foundation walls.

The other common cause of structural cracks is tree roots growing and penetrating through the foundation. Tree roots can push up on the foundation, causing it to crack. Tree roots also expand and contract with changes in weather, which can also cause cracking.

Cosmetic Cracks

A cosmetic crack is a very tiny crack in the surface of a painted wall. This type of crack may be small, but it can seriously affect the appearance of a room. The crack doesn’t affect the structure of the house and is an easy fix. However, if neglected, cosmetic cracks can turn into structural cracks over time.

Horizontal Brick Cracks

Horizontal brick cracks can be caused by the brick shrinking and expanding due to changes in temperature and moisture. This type of problem can be fixed easily.

Vertical Brick Cracks

There are many reasons why a vertical brick crack would occur. The most common is that the mortar has dried out and no longer provides adequate support for the brick. Another possible reason is that the brick was not laid correctly, which can lead to a vertical crack.

Brick Veneer Cracks

Brick veneer is often used for decorative purposes, but it can also be used as a structural material. Brick veneer is not meant to be load-bearing; the bricks are typically nailed or glued to a backing material.

Cracks occur when the mortar between the bricks starts to deteriorate and fall out. As this happens, the brick veneer begins to separate from the backing material, which causes cracking along the joints.

Wall cracks can be an easy fix for small projects, but they are a big headache for larger ones. It’s important to always call a contractor to inspect and repair any cracks before they get bigger. If you notice any cracks on your walls, don’t ignore them. Call Atlantic Brick and Stone immediately to make sure your walls are safe and to have them inspected.