This Is How To Fix Stress Cracks in Drywall The Best Way
How to fix stress cracks in drywall starts with making the crack bigger. Then, fill it in with caulk and wait to see if it needs more. Find out more below.
What Is THIS?!
“What is what, Stephanie,” asks David. Stephanie jabs at the ceiling with her finger. “This, this crack right here in the ceiling! It wasn’t there before so it has to be new. And we didn’t cause it, that’s for sure.”
David walks over to see what she’s talking about. “Oh, this stress crack? Yeah, this happens all the time in houses. There’s nothing we can really do to stop it, but we can fix it, I believe.” Stephanie sighs in relief. “Well, at least we can fix it. How do you fix stress cracks in drywall? Is it something we can do on our own, like when we learned how to clean painted walls?” David shrugs. “Let’s ask Google and see what needs to be done.”
Here’s what the couple learns:
The Best Way To Fix Drywall Stress Cracks
Fixing stress cracks in drywall starts with digging into the crack a little bit. Then, fill it in with high-quality, flexible caulk. You’ll want to wait to see if it opens up a bit as the house shifts. If it does, just fill in whatever parts open up.
Sadly, this isn’t what most people do.
Many contractors and people use joint compound and drywall tape or fiber tape. These can cover up the crack, but both of these solutions are just band-aids. They usually last around 6 months to a year. Then the joint compound cracks and there’s your stress crack again.
The Best Way To Fix Drywall Stress Cracks
Stress cracks in drywall mostly show up in vaulted ceilings, garage ceilings, and oddly shaped rooms. As your house moves, these are the areas that feel the most movement.
Vaulted ceilings have an odd shape and less support. Garages have less insulation, meaning temperature and humidity affect them more strongly. Oddly shaped rooms move differently than square and rectangular rooms.
TIME FOR AN UPDATE? CONTACT OUR PRESCOTT PAINTING CONTRACTORS TODAY!