Hello,
I recently removed old wooden panels from a wall and discovered a crack behind them. It runs from an electrical outlet up to the ceiling and is about 3–4cm (1¼–1½ inches) wide near the outlet, narrowing to around 0.5–1cm (¼–⅜ inch). There is also some surface mold growing next to it. Air is coming through the crack (which is why the panels were removed).
A mason friend inspected the crack and said it’s not a big deal. Just fill it with expanding foam and then smooth it over. However, I’m not completely confident about this advice and wanted to ask here for recommendations on how to properly deal with such a crack. It is on an exterior wall.
I would like to attach some pictures to this post, but unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be working…
Thanks in advance!
Best regards, Max
Edit: I just realized I’m in the wrong section… Building defects probably fits better. Could this topic be moved?
I recently removed old wooden panels from a wall and discovered a crack behind them. It runs from an electrical outlet up to the ceiling and is about 3–4cm (1¼–1½ inches) wide near the outlet, narrowing to around 0.5–1cm (¼–⅜ inch). There is also some surface mold growing next to it. Air is coming through the crack (which is why the panels were removed).
A mason friend inspected the crack and said it’s not a big deal. Just fill it with expanding foam and then smooth it over. However, I’m not completely confident about this advice and wanted to ask here for recommendations on how to properly deal with such a crack. It is on an exterior wall.
I would like to attach some pictures to this post, but unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be working…
Thanks in advance!
Best regards, Max
Edit: I just realized I’m in the wrong section… Building defects probably fits better. Could this topic be moved?
Nofret schrieb:
How old is the wall and what material is it made of? If there’s a draft through the crack... then it should also be visible from the outside, right?Built in 1952, I’m not entirely sure about the material... I see bricks and clay. From the outside, you can also see the crack through the facing bricks, but it’s not as pronounced as inside.
The pictures are working now, but unfortunately I don’t have any from the outside. I can take some after work today.
The crack extends up to the ceiling. Next to it, you can see surface mold. The draft comes through the wider section.
Best regards
Max
ypg schrieb:
I would recommend hiring a structural engineer to assess the extent of the crack. Since this wall is an exterior wall, it is a load-bearing element, so it is important for the continued stability of the house.
That's a good idea! I will have someone come and take a look. I'll hold off on using expanding foam for now.
Thank you very much for the answers!
Hello bemjou,
if you want to know whether wall sections are still shifting, you can attach a crack monitor or crack gauge and take photos at regular intervals. However, this needs to be observed over several months up to a year – the less movement there is, the longer you should monitor. If the crack is moving significantly in one direction, you might save yourself a renovation; in that case, you just have to wait until the movement stabilizes or take structural countermeasures right away.
Simply search for the terms mentioned above online; you’ll find plenty of explanations.
Best regards,
Dirk Grafe
if you want to know whether wall sections are still shifting, you can attach a crack monitor or crack gauge and take photos at regular intervals. However, this needs to be observed over several months up to a year – the less movement there is, the longer you should monitor. If the crack is moving significantly in one direction, you might save yourself a renovation; in that case, you just have to wait until the movement stabilizes or take structural countermeasures right away.
Simply search for the terms mentioned above online; you’ll find plenty of explanations.
Best regards,
Dirk Grafe
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