Cracks At Door/windows

boman47k

Can anyone here guarantee a repair on a crack at the corner of a door or window. I know at this stage, I cannot.

Mud Master

I could garuntee it for a period of time, usually one year on all work I preform, but obviously it has to be something we did wrong, they couldn't just bash thier elbow into it and expect us to fix it for free. However due to settling of a house or the installation of the door or window,or any piece of material no one can really say. If it's just the wall it should be fine after repair, but if it's being caused by something else than you need to isolate that problem and fix it before you repair the crack. I would say do the best possible work you can do, and use the best possible product for that problem. I've found that Durabond works great for cracks and small holes. Good Luck

__________________

boman47k

I have no problem with fixing a crack such as this, but other factors such as house settling would prevent me form giving any nay long term warranty. As far as improper installation of a window, looks like a little demolition would be called for to ascertain that. But since you mentioned that, I do know of some work that I expect to crack due to improper door installation. This is not my installation, it was the ho. I did do the finishing. Funny how when you tell someone something, sometimes they just kind of shrug it off in the name of expediency. They are not taking a good look down nthe road. I don't even like to help family/friends do something half-***ed for free.

Mud Master

Same here. I will help a family member out on something small, I just finished my sisters basement for her a few months back. But she and her husband STAYED OUTTA MY WAY!! lol. I won't do work for a friend, i'll give them advice or refer them to someone that will do a great job, but I won't do it, to many bridges can be burned. As far as any warrenty on the work, just let them know that without fixing the door you can't give any warrenty. If they don't want to repair/replace the door just let them know that you would be happy to come back and fix the crack again....for a price.

__________________

Frankawitz

I don't get asked that question of how long will my repair last, I tell them that as long as they don't have another water leak my repair should last 100 years. as for doors and windows cracking at the corners this is a weak point in the house or building, I have seen some houses never have cracks at these points and I have seen others that crack all the time. I believe must of these type cracks come from when the place was built and carpenters cheaped on nails in the framing. I would just mud them with Durabond 45 or 90 in the brown bag and use paper tape, cause if you use mesh tape the crack will open up in six months and then the crack will have little checker board look.

Mud Master

Checkmate!

__________________

smooth

These are typical stress points and should be picture framed. That means the drywall is applied as a solid sheet and the opening cut out leaving no seems above the door or windows to crack with time. Some boarders try to save money on the sheet count by standing sheets up and joining them above a door or window and thats one way you get these seems. It all starts with the boarding application.I'm talking here of residential not commercial. The drywall is factored into the structures stability, about 10-15 % if the board is applied properly and interlinked correctly ( staggered butt joints ). hope this helps.

boman47k

Smooth, I agree. That is one reason I would not feel comfortable giving a warranty on this type repair. I have made repairs in my own home, and they are starting to show again. Not sure how long ago I did these, but I used regular premix mud. If it is a settling situation, I'm not really sure I understand how a harder mix is going to hold up. Also have to wonder how long an house settles before everything is stable. You can bet if I ever get around to gutting the ouside walls here to insulate and rewire, the door and window openings will be framed with the rock. I suspect the insulation thing has something to do with some of these cracks on the outside walls ( condensation).

clogman1

Where was the board broke at? Straight up at the edge? THAT means the person running the job wat too cheap to picture frame the door/window and wanted the nailer to "piece" in the job...I ALWAYS stock a couple extra 8' for this reason........picture frame is the only way to go......When they fire in the trim, who cares this way

boman47k

In my situation, some of the cracks were on both top corners of a couple of windows. This house was built inn the late 40's to early 50's, I think.