Drywall Cracks

Seeing cracks in your drywall can be worrying. You might wonder what’s causing them. Often, these cracks show that there might be problems with your foundation that need a professional to look at.

Matvey Foundation Repair has over 27 years of experience working in Seattle and Western Washington. We’re experts at finding and fixing foundation problems. Keep reading to learn more about why drywall cracks happen, how to repair them, and why your first call should be to Matvey Foundation Repair.

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What Are Drywall Cracks?

Cracked drywall by corner of door frame in home indicating drywall cracks

Drywall cracks are breaks in the boards that make up your walls and ceilings. They often hint at shifts in your home’s foundation. Drywall isn’t very strong, so it can crack if the foundation moves.

Common signs of drywall cracks are:

Diagonal cracks from the corners of doors or windows up to the ceiling
Cracks above doors and windows
Long cracks along walls and ceilings
Spiderweb-like cracks

Even small cracks could mean serious foundation issues. Bigger cracks mean you should check your foundation soon.

What Causes Drywall Cracks?

Drywall cracks can come from many things:

Settling and Soil Movement: Homes naturally settle over time as the ground underneath them gets harder. But, if the ground moves too much or unevenly because of erosion, compression, or soil expansion, it can cause cracks in the foundation of the house. These cracks can then appear in the drywall.
Structural Foundation Issues: When the supporting parts of a house sink or the walls can bow inward, it can cause the foundation to move. This movement can then cause the drywall to crack.
Home Additions or Renovations: Sometimes, making changes to your home or adding to it can cause more weight to be placed on certain parts of the house. These changes can cause the foundation to crack.
Water Damage: Leaky pipes, poor drainage or gutters can cause water to seep into the ground around the foundation of a house. This can make the ground weaker or wash away, which can lead to cracks in the foundation.

If you ignore these signs, the problems could get worse, and it could cost a lot more to fix them later.

How Can Drywall Cracks Be Fixed?

Drywall cracks can mean there’s a problem with your home’s foundation. It might be tempting to just patch these cracks and repaint, but this won’t solve the real issue. At Matvey Foundation Repair, we focus on finding and fixing the real problems, giving you a long-lasting solution for your drywall cracks.

Here are some options:

Small Cracks: A patch and paint could work, but the crack might come back if the root problem isn’t solved.
Major Cracks: These may need a bigger foundation fix—like piering and waterproofing, or wall reinforcements—and then new drywall.

Do you see any of these signs? Book your appointment now

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How Matvey Foundation Repair Can Help

At Matvey Foundation Repair, our skilled team will find out what’s causing the cracks in your home’s drywall. We use a variety of specialized repair methods:

CFI tech repairing drywall cracks in home with wall anchors

Deep-ground support with steel foundation piers (helical or push piers)
Waterproofing systems for basements and crawl spaces, like interior drainage or sump pumps
For houses with basements: wall anchors, steel I-beams, and/or carbon fiber straps
For houses with crawl spaces: support jacks. We also offer crawl space encapsulation to prevent moisture from causing more foundation damage.

We aim to fix your drywall cracks for the long term by dealing with the underlying issues. We also provide extensive warranties.

Why Should I Address Drywall Cracks Now?

Ignoring or putting off fixing drywall cracks might seem okay as they often look like simple cosmetic issues. But waiting can lead to bigger, more expensive problems:

Drywall cracks can grow bigger.
They can reduce your home’s resale value due to their look and what they suggest about the home’s foundation.
The problems causing the cracks usually get worse over time, leading to higher costs.

Choose Matvey Foundation Repair for Drywall Crack Repair Near You!

A CFI agent shaking hands with a satisfied customer.

Get a free, no-obligation checkup for your home with Matvey Foundation Repair to make sure it’s safe and stable for the long-run. We’ve been helping people in Seattle and throughout Western Washington for years. We provide a full range of foundation repair services to protect your property. Our team is prepared to handle any foundation problems that might be putting your home at risk.

Don’t wait, start working with us today to make your home a safer place.

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Drywall Cracks FAQs

What does foundation damage look like?

Foundation damage manifests as wall cracks, floor gaps, uneven or sagging floors, sticking doors or windows, and visible shifts or bulges in the foundation. Contact Matvey Foundation Repair for a free inspection to diagnose the underlying cause.

What does foundation damage look like?

Foundation damage creates visible signs, like cracks in walls, floor gaps, uneven or sagging floors, doors or windows that stick, and visible shifts or bulges in the foundation.

What is the number one reason a foundation fails?

Soil issues are the top reason for foundation failure. Expansive clay, poor compaction, and inadequate drainage cause settlement, heaving, and shifting. Contact Matvey Foundation Repair for a free foundation inspection.