After completing our house, we were told that some settlement cracks might appear. What is still considered normal?
On the ground floor, in the kitchen and living room, there’s enough space between the floor tile and the edge to fit a finger. On the first floor, there are horizontal cracks in the wall. The ceiling on the first floor has already been patched with plaster, and the silicone sealant in the bathroom has cracked... *frustrated*.
Honestly, I don’t want to remove all the joints and regrout them, but I probably have no other choice, right? I wanted to ask here first; otherwise, I’ll have to talk to the builder.
On the ground floor, in the kitchen and living room, there’s enough space between the floor tile and the edge to fit a finger. On the first floor, there are horizontal cracks in the wall. The ceiling on the first floor has already been patched with plaster, and the silicone sealant in the bathroom has cracked... *frustrated*.
Honestly, I don’t want to remove all the joints and regrout them, but I probably have no other choice, right? I wanted to ask here first; otherwise, I’ll have to talk to the builder.
H
Häuslebauer4027 Aug 2011 15:48Ähn, you want to call the builder? So, does that mean you are the construction company?
B
Bauexperte28 Aug 2011 14:01Hello,
Settlement cracks can be harmless or may indicate serious structural problems. Harmless, narrow cracks that have already stabilized can be sealed with flexible filler. To do this, widen the crack by scraping it out with a screwdriver. Then inject acrylic sealant into the crack and smooth the surface with a putty knife. After the acrylic dries, cover the crack with self-adhesive fiberglass tape; this tape is very thin and can be painted or wallpapered over directly.
The acrylic sealant can also be painted over with common paints and varnishes; however, it is best to test this first in an inconspicuous spot. Keep in mind that acrylic is only suitable for joints with minimal movement due to its elasticity. Beforehand, you should check if the crack is still growing. This can be done by applying a small plaster mark over the crack. If the plaster mark is still intact after two weeks, the crack has stabilized. If it continues to grow, you should consult a professional (e.g., a masonry expert).
This specialist will inspect the site in person and determine the type of crack and its cause. They will advise you on the necessary steps. It might be sufficient to fill the crack with acrylic as explained above. However, it could also be necessary to compact the soil, or there may be work required on the building itself, such as adapting the foundation to local conditions, among other possibilities. Only a professional can answer these questions! Cracks wider than 0.2–3 mm (0.008–0.12 inches) usually are not due to material quality. Often, planning and construction errors are the cause of crack formation.
In my opinion, the expansion joint crack in the bathroom is normal.
Kind regards
Herma07 schrieb:
After completing our house, we were told that certain settlement cracks can occur. What is still considered normal? On the ground floor in the kitchen and living room, a finger fits between the floor tile and the edge – on the first floor, there are horizontal cracks in the wall. The ceiling on the first floor has already been plastered over, and the silicone in the bathroom has cracked... *desperate*
Settlement cracks can be harmless or may indicate serious structural problems. Harmless, narrow cracks that have already stabilized can be sealed with flexible filler. To do this, widen the crack by scraping it out with a screwdriver. Then inject acrylic sealant into the crack and smooth the surface with a putty knife. After the acrylic dries, cover the crack with self-adhesive fiberglass tape; this tape is very thin and can be painted or wallpapered over directly.
The acrylic sealant can also be painted over with common paints and varnishes; however, it is best to test this first in an inconspicuous spot. Keep in mind that acrylic is only suitable for joints with minimal movement due to its elasticity. Beforehand, you should check if the crack is still growing. This can be done by applying a small plaster mark over the crack. If the plaster mark is still intact after two weeks, the crack has stabilized. If it continues to grow, you should consult a professional (e.g., a masonry expert).
This specialist will inspect the site in person and determine the type of crack and its cause. They will advise you on the necessary steps. It might be sufficient to fill the crack with acrylic as explained above. However, it could also be necessary to compact the soil, or there may be work required on the building itself, such as adapting the foundation to local conditions, among other possibilities. Only a professional can answer these questions! Cracks wider than 0.2–3 mm (0.008–0.12 inches) usually are not due to material quality. Often, planning and construction errors are the cause of crack formation.
In my opinion, the expansion joint crack in the bathroom is normal.
Kind regards
Thank you very much for the detailed response. I will try using gypsum to repair the transverse cracks on the wall; the plasterer had suggested acrylic when he filled the cracks on the upper floor ceiling. We noticed the transverse cracks after about three-quarters of a year, although we have been living here for two years already. Scraping them out with a screwdriver doesn’t work very well, unless I want to redecorate the wallpaper.
I will remove the expansion joints and redo them. BUT the expansion joint cracks in the kitchen and living room look very bad, I will try to take a photo :-(
I will remove the expansion joints and redo them. BUT the expansion joint cracks in the kitchen and living room look very bad, I will try to take a photo :-(
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