ᐅ Cracks in drywall after just a few months

Created on: 4 Jan 2017 13:12
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markus2703
Hello, I am uploading the attached photos. Specifically, I would like to hear from experienced professionals whether these cracks are normal or if something went wrong here.

Details: Drywall construction completed in 08/2016, occupancy started in 08/2016. Cracks have been visible for about a month, with a tendency to increase. All photos are from the first floor.

Wall structure: Single-layer drywall, exterior wall 30cm (12 inches) Ytong block plus gypsum plaster. Everything painted by a painter using emulsion paint.

The largest cracks are mainly at the junction with the exterior wall, extending deep into the actual wall.

I find the cracks quite large...
Corner of a room with wall crack and blue curtain.

White wall with narrow crack line in the corner; purple curtain on the rod.

White wall with a long, vertical crack running from top to bottom.

White wall and ceiling corner with curtain rod and purple curtain.

Corner of ceiling and wall with black rod; fine cracks visible.
RobsonMKK26 Jan 2017 08:51
pickonja schrieb:
Aren’t all those cracks considered defects?

No, they are usually explicitly excluded. There is nothing a builder can do about that.
Musketier26 Jan 2017 08:54
I can't say with 100% certainty, but I believe silicone joints are maintenance joints. Therefore, not a defect. In our construction specifications, it is also stated that plaster cracks up to a certain size are not considered defects.
Basti270926 Jan 2017 09:13
It says the same for us... Silicone joints are maintenance joints... We have now been in the house for 1 year, and I have noticed small cracks in the acrylic in one room, in the corner where the sloped ceiling meets the solid exterior wall... so far everything is fine for us – fingers crossed.
B
Bieber0815
26 Jan 2017 10:18
RobsonMKK schrieb:
No, they are usually explicitly excluded. No builder can change that.

Caution! Warranty generally covers all building components. Exceptions usually apply to wear parts, and of course, the contractor is not liable if a crack (for example, in a permanently elastic joint) is clearly caused by improper maintenance.

However, it is possible that the maintenance joint was poorly executed from the start. In that case, the contractor is liable under the warranty.

Proving fault and enforcing warranty rights are, however, a different matter altogether.