Cracks That Appear and Disappear With the Seasons

(What’s Normal in South Louisiana Homes — and What’s Not)

If you’ve ever noticed cracks in your home that seem to “come and go,” you’re not crazy.

A lot of South Louisiana homeowners see:

• small drywall cracks that show up in summer

• trim seams opening up

• caulk lines cracking

• cracks that get worse, then look better later

This is one of the most common things we hear from homeowners, especially in older houses.

The key question is:

✅ Is this normal seasonal movement?or⚠️ Is this a bigger issue that needs attention?

Let’s break it down in plain language.

Why Cracks Change With the Seasons

Most of the time, seasonal cracks happen because of movement caused by:

• humidity changes

• temperature swings

• wood expansion and contraction

• slight settling or shifting

• changes in moisture in the soil (especially after heavy rain)

In South Louisiana, those swings can be intense — even if they don’t feel “cold” like up north.

Your house is constantly reacting to the environment.

The Most Common “Seasonal Crack” Areas

Seasonal cracks usually show up in predictable places:

✅ Around doors and windows

Because framing changes slightly and the openings are stress points.

✅ Ceiling-to-wall corners

Because different surfaces move slightly differently.

✅ Along trim and molding seams

Because wood expands/contracts more than drywall.

✅ Where additions meet original structure

Especially in older homes that have been expanded over time.

✅ Around stair openings or hallway transitions

Movement concentrates in “connection points.”

What Causes Seasonal Cracks in Louisiana Homes?

1. Wood Movement From Humidity

Wood is alive — it absorbs and releases moisture.

When humidity rises:

• wood swells

• joints tighten

• trim may press or shift

When humidity drops:

• wood shrinks

• joints open

• cracks appear

✅ This is a huge reason caulk and trim seams open up in summer or winter cycles.

2. High Indoor Humidity

If your home’s indoor humidity stays high, your materials can swell more consistently.

Signs you may have humidity issues:

• musty smell

• sticky feeling indoors even when cool

• towels smell quickly

• doors stick in summer

• paint and caulk fail repeatedly

✅ Indoor humidity can amplify seasonal movement.

3. Minor Settling or Shifting

Even well-built homes can settle over time.

In South Louisiana, soil moisture changes can affect:

• slab homes (minor movement)

• raised homes (pier & beam movement)

• additions built at different times

✅ Small settling is often normal.The question is whether it’s stable or getting worse.

4. Poor Drywall Installation or Tape Failure

Sometimes the crack isn’t from the house moving — it’s from weak drywall joints.

Common reasons:

• drywall seams weren’t properly taped

• joint compound didn’t bond well

• fasteners pop loose over time

• repairs were rushed or painted too soon

✅ These cracks tend to come back in the same spot even if the structure is fine.

5. Poor Trim or Caulk Detailing

A lot of remodels fail here.

If trim wasn’t installed tight, or caulk was used incorrectly, seasonal movement will show immediately.

Example:

• big gap filled with caulk (instead of proper fit)

• wrong caulk used

• caulk applied to dusty/dirty surfaces

✅ In Louisiana, bad caulk work gets exposed fast.

What Seasonal Cracks Are Usually NOT a Big Deal

These are usually considered normal, especially in older homes:

✅ hairline cracks in corners✅ small cracks above doors✅ minor trim seam separation✅ small caulk splits along molding✅ tiny ceiling cracks that don’t grow year to year

These can often be handled with:

• correct caulk

• minor drywall repair

• repainting when ready

Warning Signs: When Cracks Could Mean Something Bigger

Here’s when you should take cracks more seriously:

⚠️ Cracks that keep getting worse every year

If it never resets or keeps growing, movement may be progressing.

⚠️ Wide cracks (especially over 1/8")

Hairline cracks are normal. Big ones need attention.

⚠️ Cracks that run diagonally from corners

Diagonal cracking can indicate structural movement at openings.

⚠️ Doors or windows suddenly won’t close right

This paired with cracks can signal shifting.

⚠️ Floors feel sloped or soft

Cracks + floor changes can mean underlying structural or moisture issues.

⚠️ Brick cracks or exterior wall cracking

Exterior cracking is more serious than interior hairlines.

What NOT to Do

These common moves usually waste money:

❌ Keep patching the same crack without fixing the cause

If it reopens every season, you need a better repair approach.

❌ Use cheap caulk everywhere

Cheap caulk shrinks, cracks, and fails quickly in humidity.

❌ Ignore signs that movement is increasing

Not every crack is serious — but patterns matter.

What Actually Works (Lasting Fixes)

The right fix depends on what type of crack it is:

✅ For trim seam gaps:

• better fitment (carpentry correction)

• flexible, paintable caulk

• proper prep + paint system

✅ For drywall corner cracks:

• correct tape method

• stronger joint compound repair

• sometimes adding reinforcement mesh

✅ For repeated cracks above doors/windows:

• address framing movement

• repair the drywall correctly

• check if the opening is shifting due to humidity or settling

✅ For structural-type cracks:

• investigate framing, crawl space, drainage, or foundation behavior

Why This Matters Before Remodeling

Seasonal cracking isn’t just annoying — it’s valuable information.

It tells you:

• where movement is happening

• where moisture may be affecting materials

• where past work may have been done wrong

A good remodel doesn’t just hide movement — it plans for it.

That’s how you get long-lasting results in South Louisiana.

Need Help Knowing What’s Normal?

At Cajun Conservation, we remodel older homes across South Louisiana and we understand:

• humidity-driven movement

• raised home behavior

• older framing realities

• durable finish systems

Question for you:Are your cracks mostly in corners and trim seams, or are they diagonal cracks near doors/windows?