I recently bought a house that's about 150 years old, but the section where I've noticed a problem is newer—only around 10 years old. Since moving in three months ago, I've spotted a diagonal crack in the drywall emerging from the corner of a window. It's about 2.5 feet long and roughly 1/8 inch wide at the start. With the changing weather and using a kerosene heater in this room, I'm wondering if it's a sign of something more serious. Should I be concerned?
2 Answers
With a house that age, it’s probably not settling anymore. But you might have an issue with moisture around the window frame, especially since it's been pretty cold and you're using a kerosene heater. This can cause materials to contract and expand, potentially leading to cracks. I suggest checking the frame for any openings and maybe patching up the drywall for now—just keep it monitored.
It sounds like the crack might not be new. Sometimes, these things get patched up before the house is shown, and can reveal themselves later. I'm in a similar situation with my 35-year-old house; I've noticed cracks appear after we painted over some spots. Keep an eye on it, but it's not always a major issue.