Question
My 25 yr old ranch style home is developing cracks in the drywall. Would this be caused by settling even after 25 years?
I live in an area of the midwest that has lots of clay soil and rock formations. In just the last year these cracks continue even in places I never saw them before. Just at the doorways beginning at the upper corners of the door jams. I worry this is not from settling of the house after 25 years.
Answer
Unfortunately you have left out some important information like:
- is this slab on grade or crawl-space
- interior or exterior doors,
- any changes recently, etc...
Clay soils have been known to expand and contract with changes in moisture content so that could be an issue.
If this house is built on a crawl, you may find that blocking was not placed between the joists where the walls land so that could be an issue.
I am also curious when you said, they are not where you have seen them before - have you had an ongoing issue?
