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One of the biggest challenges when it comes to maintaining your home is drywall cracking. The moisture in the air condenses on your drywall, causing it to crack. The most common reason for this to happen is bad and cold weather.
Drywall needs to expand and contract throughout the year. This occurs naturally because there are many different types of drywall, each with different properties. For example, installing a thermal-rated glazing system may require the drywall to expand or contract over time, depending on how long it is exposed to cold or hot conditions.
How to Avoid Drywall Cracking
Drywall is relatively inexpensive to use when building a home. It is fairly easy to install and can be used in all types of weather conditions. Unfortunately, if not installed properly, drywall can crack during the winter. When this happens, the loss of wall surface area often leads to damage, which can lead to mold growth and water penetration through cracks in the wall.
It is difficult to eliminate this problem because moisture will remain and slowly make its way into the walls over time. However, it is also possible to take the necessary steps to minimize the damage.
Check the structure of the house before winter arrives to prevent drywall from cracking
Check for the following when leaving your home:
- Check the plaster for cracks
- Check if the roof is tilted
- Check for sloping walls
- Pay attention to the looseness of the ceiling
- Check the drywall for small cracks
Why do cracks appear on drywall?
The best way to know what is causing a drywall crack is to understand how the house is built. With this information, repair or replacement is possible.
Excellent architecture does not mean that there are no cracks in the drywall. It is important to pay special attention to them. If they are small, they can be repaired. But if they are on a large portion of the wall, special tools or professional help are needed to remove them.
The cracks on your drywall are probably caused by sudden changes in the humidity of the air.
High levels of humidity can cause drywall to crack. Drywall can crack if moisture accumulates in the studs behind it. There are several ways to prevent this, but the easiest way is to use a water-resistant adhesive for all of your drywall screws.
Additionally, the strength of drywall depends on its sheathing. When drywall is exposed to cold weather, the sheathing becomes brittle and can develop cracks.
This can damage your drywall and even cause it to collapse. When a crack occurs, the design engineer must find a way to prevent or minimize the damage.
Finally, always remember that working on drywall can be dangerous. Drywall can break without warning and can cause injury or even death. Take extra care when working with all visible damage so as not to hurt anyone.
Building framing shrinkage
Wood shrinkage is a major problem in the construction industry. Moisture in the wood can cause drywall cracks, structural problems, and even health issues, whether the home is new or old.
It is important to use a quality contractor for work that involves drywall and other material expertise. Regular inspections of walls, ceilings, and other home components are essential to ensure structural integrity and safety for everyone living in your home.
Frost heave
Make sure your home is well insulated to avoid frost heave. Another way to prevent this is to add the right amount of insulation underneath your structure and ensure it is properly drained. Also, prevent water from seeping in underneath your home by adding ductwork, which will ensure that water does not come in contact with the walls.
If the ice has frozen, there is a simple solution. Just make sure the water flows away from the affected area, not toward it.
Many newer drywall products are more water-resistant and can even last through the winter. However, not all drywall is created equal, and some does not meet minimum moisture requirements. This means that it is not only vulnerable to freezing and thawing, but also to cracking.
Temperature, humidity and leakage
Drywall and wood framing can be affected by humidity and temperature. Even small changes in humidity or temperature will change the thickness of the wall. To prevent drywall cracks, it is important to keep your home dry and well insulated.
When a wall is longer than 30 feet, engineers recommend allowing for expansion joints between the wall and its foundation to prevent further damage from cooling.
conclusion
Drywall cracks during winter are a big problem for many homeowners. This can lead to property damage, insurance claims and even serious problems like injuries. This will not only harm the homeowner but also the residents of the area. That is why it is important to get your home inspected or repaired. Consider hiring a professional to avoid unnecessary accidents.