[wraiththe]

Hi,
This is a condo. I have noticed some wall cracks.

The bathroom has one between the door and the linen closet in the bathroom.

The other is between the kitchen and the dining room. This crack is actually also on the other side and is not as drastic. I have tile going over it so am not so concerned. It was patched on the other side.

Notice the mesh material which is quite taught
The other crack is along the edging and goes to the ceiling.

Any advice on how to patch these? Am I going to have to remove the edging? If I just spackled it in, would that suffice?

Looking for materials or methods to fix.

Thanks.

 

[ClarenceBauer]

Looking @ photo # 3, I would say you may have a Veneer Plaster system applied over a Gypsum base, drywall would not have the mesh applied under the a skim coat of joint compound.
If it is a Veneer Plaster applied over Gypsum the problem could be moisture.
As for the corner bead I would say that the mesh was applied over the bead edge which will cause a separation. If you remove a small section of the finish @ the corner bead & find mesh that is a problem. The horizonal cracks look like seam cracks. Question are the cracks in photo # 1 & # 2 Protruding outward?
If they are it would also indicate a moisture problem.
Do any of your neighbors have a problem with cracking.
For repair need to know the make up of the system applied.

 

[Abuc]

I have had several corner bead cracks over the years in a couple houses...just like your picture. In every case it was not enough fasteners allowing the bead to flex which cracked the bead. Of course I just had standard drywall...no mesh or veneer plaster.

 

[huesmann]

Got some setting there.

 

[finisher65]

Yeah, looks like settling/structural movement rather than moisture.
The mesh tape could be explained by the crack having been previously repaired.
Kind of a pain to fix these

 

[wraiththe]

HI,
I see that you recognize what it is, but there is no mention on how to fix.

 

[Nealtw]

HI,
I see that you recognize what it is, but there is no mention on how to fix.

It's better to find out what is moving before you fix it. Something has moved or is moving. The trick is to figure that out and then finding a way to secure it.

 

[ClarenceBauer]

Need more info as to what the make up of the wall is?
Like is it regular drywall with a full skim coat?
Is it Gypsum board base with a Veneer Plaster.
How deep is the crack? looks like it may be a full 1/2" ?
What is the back up for the drywall, Metal Studs , Wood Studs , CMU or other ?
For a fix it would require a like product be used.
I have seen mesh applied under a Veneer Plaster due the same as yours.
I am not talking about the joint mesh but 38" wide mesh applied over the Gypsum board. You stated that both crack areas are Bath Room & Kitchen both high moisture areas & yes moisture can cause such a failure.
Do the horizonal cracks protrude outward?

 

[wraiththe]

Hi,
Thanks,
The crack in the bathroom protrudes outward. (short crack between moulding.) The studs are wood and they are not evenly placed. There are thin boards run horizontal and cut into the walls in various places... I am guessing on non load bearing walls (like the bathroom) The spacing of the studs are almost criminal.

(Crack with mesh: kitchen/dining room wall at bar)
So far, this wall (on both sides) is the only place I have seen this mesh in the condo, which is 15 years old. We never saw any damage to it, it was new when we purchased it. There may have been different companies involved as this row was being built.

I was considering cutting a hole in the wall. This would allow me to do some desired rewiring... add a bigger three switch electrical box and make it secure right. (that is not floating.) Then adding some wood screws to the existing sheet rock. I believe it is gypsum board. I do not think I will have to add some infrastructure to do a good job. I guess this is why they had to use mesh... because there was not enough studs to work with? I believe the material used as mud or spackle is a lot harder and more brittle than what I have used on other walls with tape. (been a while) (If I could just spackle it though.... that would be optimal... even if in a few years it cracked again... I could limit my projects.



I did notice on one edge in the bathroom, a metal corner was used and the build up used to spackle around it seemed was also much harder. Not unlike what they used to secure the tiles on the … (ugg ) greenboard!

 

[siffleur]

HI,
I see that you recognize what it is, but there is no mention on how to fix.

While you are gathering answers to all of others' good questions here, can you tell us if you have sound touch-up paint available or if you are going to have to buy new paint?

siffleur

 

[wraiththe]

Sorry, this is not a wide wall. Seems both our cracks are on short widths of wall.

and, no, we do not have paint yet. We have never actually painted the walls They are white, probably primer. The only walls painted are in a bathroom I fixed a few years ago. Could not find a pic, but it came out nice. Spent months preparing. Would like to get the kitchen done first. Then worry about paint.

Extra shots of bathroom (before painting.)

 

[ClarenceBauer]

The cracks that protrude outward I would say are caused by expansion or compression of the gypsum board causing the joint compound to move outward. Look up Hygrometric Expansion of Gypsum wall board.
The moisture I referent would be a high humidity area causing the expansion.
As for the crack at the Kitchen wall I would agree with the post stating structural movement & your statement on previous repair of that area.
Repair of the outward crack just use paper tape , setting compound & joint compound finish. The large open crack you need to find the cause of the movement.

 

[wraiththe]

HI,
Thanks. I sure hope that is not moisture. WE have not used the shower in that bathroom in over 5 years. I will look it up.