PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES: 9. WALL AND CEILING FINISH

9.4 Cracks in Interior Wall and Ceiling Surfaces

Acceptable Performance/Condition

Interior gypsum board shall be installed to minimize cracking of joints, corners and corner beads. Minor cracks are not unusual. Most minor cracks are a result of normal shrinkage of materials and are generally not covered under warranty.

However, drywall cracks are considered to be a defect:

• they are greater than 2 mm (1/16”) in width;

• they exceed 300 mm (12”) long and 1 mm (1/32”) in width;
• when tape separation is greater than 2 mm (1/16”) from the surface, or;
• where bead separation is greater than 2 mm (1/16”) from the surface.

Extreme cracking in excess of 12 mm (1/2”) in width or 6 mm (1/4”) in width and 100 mm (4”) in length should be investigated to determine if the cause is a structural defect. Drywall finishes within garages and unfinished areas are not covered under warranty other than as required by the BC Building Code.

Warranty Coverage

• 12 months In-Home
• 15 months Common Property

Damage resulting from maintenance not conducted by the owner in keeping with maintenance documentation provided to the owner by the warranty provider or builder, or from additions, deletions or alterations made by the owner is not covered under warranty.

Claim Response

Cracks not meeting the Acceptable Performance/Condition are to be rectified. Required repairs may be completed towards the end of the first year to allow the majority of settlement and material shrinkage to occur. The repairs will be filled, sanded smooth and made ready for painting by the owner. Repairs to a textured ceiling will require retexturing of the affected area. Touch-up painting will only be required where drywall repairs are required as a result of extreme cracking. Where repairs are required, colour, finish or texture may not have an exact match.

Maintenance Tip

No maintenance tips available