ᐅ Which wall cracks are problematic and which are not?

Created on: 9 Nov 2020 16:09
F
fraubauer
F
fraubauer
9 Nov 2020 16:09
Good day.
I have various wall cracks in my newly built apartment (now 4 years old). Visually, they don’t look good.
Simply painting over them probably won’t help.
But which cracks are actually serious and which are just cosmetically unappealing?
For example, horizontal cracks next to windows and doors?
Or vertical cracks from the ceiling down the exterior walls (as seen from inside)?
It is difficult to estimate the depth and width. The length is visible.
Are there any general guidelines about this?
Thank you very much.
Mycraft9 Nov 2020 16:34
A picture is worth a thousand words.
F
fraubauer
9 Nov 2020 16:35
Mycraft schrieb:

A picture is worth a thousand words.
F
fraubauer
9 Nov 2020 16:47
Mycraft schrieb:

A picture is worth a thousand words.

I’m not very skilled with computers, so unfortunately I can’t upload photos or anything like that.
That’s why I described the cracks.
Is it correct to say that vertical cracks are worse than horizontal ones?
Or that cracks on exterior walls are more serious than those on interior walls?
It’s a pity.
N
nordanney
9 Nov 2020 17:48
Of course, someone can give you an answer. Which one do you want to hear? That the apartment is about to collapse or that everything is fine?

Usually, the balance tips towards "normal settlement cracks." That’s all you can get without photos.
F
fraubauer
10 Nov 2020 08:52
Mycraft schrieb:

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Good morning.
I really can’t manage to upload photos. I guess I’m just too old for that.
So, the building is exactly 4 years old.
According to the description, it’s made of Poroton bricks.
Construction time was about 1 year, roughly from the shell to handover.

PS: Is it possible to test if the cracks are still active like this?
Apply a thin layer of plaster over part of the crack. If it cracks again, the crack is still active.
Using a very fine needle, I can tell that the cracks are usually about 0.4mm (0.02 inches) wide.