Reoccuring cracks in drywall? wtf?

Question

i have had my house many years and its the same cracks, same places. i fix it w/ spakel or that mud stuff and tape it, then more mud, dry , sand, paint. but over a 5-6 mo time when the house shifts or settles (its on blocks, not slab) they return... how can i fix them once and for all? someone told me to get flexable silicone and fill cracks and smooth and paint??? idk - c'mon guys, help me out!

Answer 1

Go to Lowes they carry the flexible crack filler.

Answer 2

Sounds like you have foundation problems. Have your foundation checked.

Answer 3

You might try fiberglass tape on your patch job. It seems to hold better than paper tape.  But, if your house keeps shifting and moving on those blocks, nothing on earth will keep the walls from cracking.

Answer 4

Even silicone or a flex-compound won't work if the drywall (or house for that matter) keeps moving. the filler might flex for a while, but the drywall will eventually let go of the filler, and a new crack will appear.

You need to fix the root of the problem, not just the end result.

Is the drywall nailed in place or screwed? If it is nailed then adding coarse thread drywall screws into the studs near the nail sites MAY help.

Reinforce framing/floors/ceiling/foundation, whatever is causing the house to move/shift.

An alternative solution would be, if the cracks are straight-line, and not lightning bolt looking, use moulding to create a decorative accent.