Plaster Is Cracking Around Windows And Doors

Diagonal stepped cracking often indicates that the lintel that supports the masonry above the opening has failed.

Plaster is cracking around windows and doors.

Hairline cracks over doors and windows are likely due to settling. According to msn real. Most small cracks in drywall or plaster walls are not serious and are caused by seasonal expansion and contraction of the wood framing in your house over time. Small cracks located above interior windows or doors are usually harmless.

The repeated force of the door closing can eventually cause stress fractures in the surrounding plaster. If you determine there s nothing obstructing the swinging motion of the door it might be a sign of a moderate to severe foundation change often resulting in wall cracks. I hope this has helped answer you question. In my opinion if the cracks are all internal plaster work etc it is not subsidence it will be the cause of what i have mention above.

Check whether water is leaking into the crack. They re often found at the corners of window and door frames and can be patched using spackling or joint compound. Houses of any age move and shift subtly over time and the weakest area in a wall is the most likely to crack. Diagonal cracking above opening.

It protects the outer wall from rainwater. These stress fractures will quickly turn into larger cracks and unsightly holes. If the cracks are outside though you may just have to inspect the trim around your doors and windows periodically and fill cracks as you find them. Never take chances with cracks that leak because these are sometimes serious.

Larger cracks in your walls however can indicate structural or foundation problems. Use acrylic latex caulk and put a small bead of caulk along the crack. Diagonal cracks above window openings and door openings are common structural defects that show signs of movement which will need to be rectified. There are many types of lintels available and in use such as brick arch and soldier course lintels commonly found in period properties.

If drywall or plaster surrounding the crack feels damp you may have a water infiltration issue. Those types of cracks indicate some sort of shift in the house itself. If it were subsidence you would see cracks in the external masonry more than likely running down the sides of windows and doors and through the masonry between them. Using your finger rub the caulk into the crack with a motion that is perpendicular to the crack.

This will force the caulk into the crack. It is applied on the surface of masonry of the house to get the smooth decorative surfaces.