What Causes Drywall to Crack Everywhere?

House Settling

• Most homes experience settling after construction is complete. Gravity causes building materials to shift and move downward until they find firm support from adjoining structural materials. Settling of the foundation into the soil is also common. Weaker, non-structural materials such as drywall can crack during the process. Settling is normal; it doesn't mean your house is weak or dangerous. Allow the house to settle for one year, then repair the cracks with fresh drywall joint compound or flexible caulk to the cracks to help disguise them before repainting. If they reappear or if more cracks occur, contact a professional contractor to inspect your home.

Improper Drywall Installation

• Most rooms have several sheets of drywall attached vertically or horizontally to the structural wall studs. The seams between the sheets are covered with drywall joint compound and drywall seam tape during the finishing process. If the drywall was not installed tight against the studs, the sheets can move and crack the tape and mud along the seams. Tightening the nails or screws or adding more fasteners along each side of the crack can stabilize the drywall and prevent future seam cracks. Remove old joint compound from the seams and repair them by applying fresh joint compound and drywall tape along the seam.

Improper Joint Compound Application

• Joint compound, sometimes called drywall mud, bridges drywall seams and masks imperfections before painting. If joint compound is applied too thick, the uppermost layer dries first and the material underneath dries slowly. This process creates surface cracks in a similar way as clay mud in an old puddle outdoors on a hot, sunny day. If the cracks in your drywall seem superficial and are confined to the seams throughout the room, drywall mud could be to blame. Fill the cracks with a thin layer of drywall mud using a wide drywall mud blade. Sand the surface once it dries and repaint the wall. Deep cracks may require a few thin coats to make them level.

Cracked Paint

• If the cracks are widespread, fine and appear similar to a crushed egg shell, paint could be the real culprit. Bare walls need at least one coat of paint primer before painting. Primer seals the drywall and helps reduce surface paint cracks. To remedy the problem, lightly sand the walls and apply a thin coat of drywall joint compound over the cracks using a wide mud knife. Sand the compound once it dries and apply latex primer before repainting the walls.