My wall is broken!

[moT]

Hey

i have a bit of a debate with my roommates can anyone tell me if this crack in my wall is caused by moisture or someone falling on it? we would like to know because we want to know if we need to fix it or not..

[Blackshear]

I'm no chippy, but how does a wall crack from moisture, surely the expanding forces aren't THAT strong.

[moT]

pic here...........

[Headbanger]

The wall it butts into , is it concrete?

[moT]

The wall it butts into , is it concrete?

Nah its all jib, from further inspection it looks like it has been fallen into. What method or products do you guys reccomend so it looks like it has never happened. I dont want to loose bond or replace wall.

[Swoop]

Nah its all jib, from further inspection it looks like it has been fallen into. What method or products do you guys reccomend so it looks like it has never happened. I dont want to loose bond or replace wall.
Go to your local hardware shop. They will have a small tub of Plus4 gib stop. Either that, or there are a few products in a 1ltr container that are fine for patching a small hole.

Sure that isn't on a join line? It appears quite vertical.

[NinjaNanna]

if you plaster it, you'll then have to paint it, and it looks to me like that is just plain jib with no finish on it???

[MSTRS]

What's the scale? That crack could be 100mm or 1000mm. It certainly appears to be the gibstopped join between 2 sheets, but no specified size makes it hard to be sure.

[Coldrider]

Are you describing the seam or the perforated scrape mark to the left of the seam?

[NDORFN]

It's a join between two sheets which should have been positioned on a stud. If it had a stud behind it, it wouldn't have cracked. So it's really the fault of whoever lined the walls.

[JimO]

It's a join between two sheets which should have been positioned on a stud. If it had a stud behind it, it wouldn't have cracked. So it's really the fault of whoever lined the walls.

no its not its the fault of whoever leaned on or ran into the wall

[NDORFN]

no its not its the fault of whoever leaned on or ran into the wall

You've never leaned on or ran into a wall before?

[MSTRS]

no its not its the fault of whoever leaned on or ran into the wall

Nope. If the other guy is right, then it's poor construction practice that's at fault. You never have the edge of a gib sheet over a space in the framing.

[JimO]

the fact remains that if the wall wasnt leaned on or ran into the damage wouldnt have happened. NDORFN i see your a joiner if you made a kitchen and i stood on the bench and a join in the bench opened up is that my fault for standing on it or yours for not joining it properly, i suspect the crack isnt where the impact was but along a bit where there was no framing allowing the gib to go in and pop the joint, having spent over 30 years in the bldg industry and worked on lots of damaged rentals i have seen it lots of times

[MSTRS]

the fact remains that if the wall wasnt leaned on or ran into the damage wouldnt have happened. NDORFN i see your a joiner if you made a kitchen and i stood on the bench and a join in the bench opened up is that my fault for standing on it or yours for not joining it properly

If you fitted a directional tyre to my bike, and I crashed because I expected a particular performance... whose fault?

[JimO]

If you fitted a directional tyre to my bike, and I crashed because I expected a particular performance... whose fault?

i dont know anything about tyres but i know lots about walls, if the tyre was fitted the right way its your fault. the first poster needs to either post a better pic or push on the crack and see if it moves in, no matter what he is screwed regarding the landlord

[Reckless]

the fact remains that if the wall wasnt leaned on or ran into the damage wouldnt have happened. NDORFN i see your a joiner if you made a kitchen and i stood on the bench and a join in the bench opened up is that my fault for standing on it or yours for not joining it properly, i suspect the crack isnt where the impact was but along a bit where there was no framing allowing the gib to go in and pop the joint, having spent over 30 years in the bldg industry and worked on lots of damaged rentals i have seen it lots of times

Its about degree of abuse?? A kitchen bench should be able to be stood on, and a wall leaned on, end of argument manufacturers/installers fault. If the gib isn't joined on a stud installers fault. If it is and they have been big time wrestling and damaged the wall, their fault.

[MSTRS]

i dont know anything about tyres but i know lots about walls

Perhaps the person that constructed this wall - didn't?
Would you butt 2 sheets of gib over a space? Or would you make sure that they butted on a stud, so that each edge could be fixed to (help) stop flex cracks?

[NDORFN]

the fact remains that if the wall wasnt leaned on or ran into the damage wouldnt have happened. NDORFN i see your a joiner if you made a kitchen and i stood on the bench and a join in the bench opened up is that my fault for standing on it or yours for not joining it properly, i suspect the crack isnt where the impact was but along a bit where there was no framing allowing the gib to go in and pop the joint, having spent over 30 years in the bldg industry and worked on lots of damaged rentals i have seen it lots of times

You could fuck an elephant on the bench of a kitchen I made and if it cracks it's 100% my fault and it'd be replaced under warranty. The thing with fixing it is, if it's a join between two sheets of gib not situated on a stud, gibbing it is only going to hide the problem until the next time someone leans on it or whatever. You could be right about the impact being between studs levering the join.

[Coldrider]

Perhaps the person that constructed this wall - didn't?
Would you butt 2 sheets of gib over a space? Or would you make sure that they butted on a stud, so that each edge could be fixed to (help) stop flex cracks?
Gib is fixed horizontally now, so you fit 2 sheets the length of the room and only have a seam at mid height, glued & screwed. Where the seam meets and is stopped is supported by 600mm spaced studs only.

[MSTRS]

Gib is fixed horizontally now, so you fit 2 sheets the length of the room and only have a seam at mid height, glued & screwed. Where the seam meets and is stopped is supported by 600mm spaced studs only.

Whatever. The point is that the edges are on studs or dwangs. Right?

[Coldrider]

Nope. If the other guy is right, then it's poor construction practice that's at fault. You never have the edge of a gib sheet over a space in the framing.
Has not the thread gone off topic, I was merely addressing that point.
What is not clear is what the problem actually is.
The photo shows what looks like an unstopped and un painted join.
Further what is not clear is whether this is the problem, or the scuff mark that pierces the gib, that looks like something has fallen into it, and scraped on the way down, as per the authors description of how the damage occured.

[Coldrider]

More info please, the sheet on the right looks like villa board, in the right hand bottom corner of the photo looks looks like a bevelled edge, and appears to have a different texture. The dark colourings on the left of the seam may be gib soaking up water, oddly enough the one on the right isn't, but if it is villa board it is far more resistant. Is this join a corner, hard to tell by the photo.
If it is the scrape mark, some lightly coloured wood filler applied, dried and lightly sanded would hide the trick. If it is water damage you need to contact the landlord.

[Morcs]

If its gib i wouldnt worry much, the wall isnt cracked...

Like was mentioned, get a tub of plaster and an old credit card and away you go. You can paint some other time.

[moT]

Go to your local hardware shop. They will have a small tub of Plus4 gib stop. Either that, or there are a few products in a 1ltr container that are fine for patching a small hole.

Sure that isn't on a join line? It appears quite vertical.

It is a join line, its where the 2 sheets of jib touch each other. You cant see it in the photo but there is a slight warping on the join between the 2 sheets going from the floor to celling. The jib on the right is pushed further into the wall, this may be caused by the hole for the fridge on the other side.

[mossy1200]

Nope. If the other guy is right, then it's poor construction practice that's at fault. You never have the edge of a gib sheet over a space in the framing.Agree a gib seem should always be stud centre.If its not one lean and its over.Also if its not any movement in the foundations which every house does will open it.If you cant feel timber behind the crack with a thin blade then I wouldnt shell up to repair it.Flat should be able to withstand general wear and tear(inludes leaning on a wall.Who doesnt?).

[Mom]

The wall is damaged. Walls dont damage themselves in my experience, something, or someone, did something to cause that crack. Now, as a landlord I am not interested in the hows of it really, I simply want it back how it was, unless of course an earthquake caused it, or a car hitting the otherside of the wall caused it then I would care and claim my insurance.

Makes no mind how it happened. How big is this crack, as MSTRS says it is impossible to tell from your pics. I have let cracks in walls go before today as it could be explained by wear and tear from the building moving or what have you. Give us a birds eye view of the wall so we can see exactly how bad it is.

You will not get brownie points for repairing it and not doing a good job of it, that wall will need to be fully repainted to make it look anything like what it did before, unless you have access to the exact shade of paint it is painted and you get away with a bright, freshly painted area in the middle of the lounge room wall on final inspection. All that will happen if you do a crap job is the landlord will not accept the repair and get someone else to do it properly and you get to pay twice :D

[mossy1200]

It is a join line, its where the 2 sheets of jib touch each other. You cant see it in the photo but there is a slight warping on the join between the 2 sheets going from the floor to celling. The jib on the right is pushed further into the wall, this may be caused by the hole for the fridge on the other side.
Define whole for fridge.Is it a single side lined wall?

[SARGE]

Throw a huge fuckoff party.. Charge $5 admission and thrash the place .. Theres your bond back...:2thumbsup

[moT]

Define whole for fridge.Is it a single side lined wall?

Well on the other side of that piece of jib is the abcess for the fridge, how do i check if its a single side lined wall?

the crack is also about 30 cm long

[moT]

Throw a huge fuckoff party.. Charge $5 admission and thrash the place .. Theres your bond back...:2thumbsup

lol tempting

[MSTRS]

the crack is also about 30 cm long

Which would put it less than 100mm from the corner. There would 'never' be a stud in that position...no wonder it cracked. As someone else said, framing moves...voila. Crack.

[mossy1200]

The wall is damaged. Walls dont damage themselves in my experience, something, or someone, did something to cause that crack. Now, as a landlord I am not interested in the hows of it really, I simply want it back how it was, unless of course an earthquake caused it, or a car hitting the otherside of the wall caused it then I would care and claim my insurance.

Makes no mind how it happened. How big is this crack, as MSTRS says it is impossible to tell from your pics. I have let cracks in walls go before today as it could be explained by wear and tear from the building moving or what have you. Give us a birds eye view of the wall so we can see exactly how bad it is.

You will not get brownie points for repairing it and not doing a good job of it, that wall will need to be fully repainted to make it look anything like what it did before, unless you have access to the exact shade of paint it is painted and you get away with a bright, freshly painted area in the middle of the lounge room wall on final inspection. All that will happen if you do a crap job is the landlord will not accept the repair and get someone else to do it properly and you get to pay twice :D

I can see where your coming from but as a tradesman I would require more information on quality of construction.Able to withstand general wear and tear is a requirement of construction.A boot size whole in gib is self explained but cracks in gib seem could go either way.If a recess for a fridge has been added weakening the wall as a result then its hard to point the finger at what MAY be good tennant.
Agree.No point repairing it yourself as an unacceptable repair is the last thing you want and it leaves you in the wrong either way.Talk to your landlord and get as much info about construction before attempting any home repair jobs.
I want photo of fridge cavity.

[mossy1200]

Well on the other side of that piece of jib is the abcess for the fridge, how do i check if its a single side lined wall?

the crack is also about 30 cm long

Poke a pin in the crack and if you see it on the other side its not a timber framed wall and moving the fridge would have opened the gib seem which is not acceptable construction.

[Mom]

If a recess for a fridge has been added weakening the wall as a result then its hard to point the finger at what MAY be good tennant.


I agree, like I said I have let a few cracks go in my time. Let the OP decide if if is a fridge recess that caused the problem, or a friend that had a tiny bit too much to drink one night that fell into it...LOL

[moT]

more pics.... It is definatly on a join, and the jib on the jeft seems to be furthur out than the jib on the right making a nonflush join.

[Mom]

more pics.... It is definatly on a join, and the jib on the jeft seems to be furthur out than the jib on the right making a nonflush join.

Hmmmmmmm worthy of a second look methinks. How long has that fridge recess been there do you know?

[moT]

Poke a pin in the crack and if you see it on the other side its not a timber framed wall and moving the fridge would have opened the gib seem which is not acceptable construction.

There does seem to be a piece of wood behind the pieces of jib but as i mentioned before the 2 pieces are at different levels, which looks like it would make the plaster or paint weaker on the surface.

[SARGE]

lol tempting

go on ... GET A PERRRM


http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/swipe_300x200.jpg

[mossy1200]

Which would put it less than 100mm from the corner. There would 'never' be a stud in that position...no wonder it cracked. As someone else said, framing moves...voila. Crack.

Not always so .New costruction studs are 600 apart and old can be 500 but its up to the builder at which end of each wall he starts the framing so it may have started the other end.Also old houses had sarking istead of gib then a renovator pulls this off and installs gib that doesnt match the spacing of the older gapped studs.In this case then the gib should be cut to suit studs but this wastes gib so isnt always done.Sometimes refurbed houses have gib intalled on its side to minimise wastage as two sheet sideways means less offcuts buy reaching more 500mm studs per sheet.

[Mom]

There does seem to be a piece of wood behind the pieces of jib but as i mentioned before the 2 pieces are at different levels, which looks like it would make the plaster or paint weaker on the surface.

Did someone fall into it though?

[moT]

Hmmmmmmm worthy of a second look methinks. How long has that fridge recess been there do you know?

No idea but the crack is at the same place where the fridge recess is.

[moT]

Did someone fall into it though?

Not 100% sure

[Mom]

Not 100% sure

sucks! Talk to your property manager. Report the damage, say you dont know how it happened and see what happens is my advice :yes:

[moT]

sucks! Talk to your property manager. Report the damage, say you dont know how it happened and see what happens is my advice :yes:

Hmm ok thx

[mossy1200]

more pics.... It is definatly on a join, and the jib on the jeft seems to be furthur out than the jib on the right making a nonflush join.

You need to measure the internal distance of the fridge recess then the distance of the other side of cupboards.If the recess is deeper then they have removed some of the wall for the fridge making it weaker.

[mossy1200]

Not 100% sure
If so looks like with the gibstop coming out that the force was from the fridge being knocked back onto wall.This should not have caused damage in the room if the wall was full strength.I would assume the studs have been removed and smaller batterns have been installed to maximise the cavity size.

[Coldrider]

Having seen the last four photos.........
Is the fridge yours, if yes, you have merely contributed to the problem when installed.
If the fridge is the landlords it is not your problem.
Looks like a shonky DYI effort is the heart of the problem, the fridge should have been restrained from pushing back into the gib.

[nothingflash]

I dont want to loose bond or replace wall.

Put a mat or a pot plant on it :D