When you think about the walls inside your home, you’re probably not thinking about the material behind the paint—but that’s where drywall, a lightweight, fire-resistant panel made of gypsum sandwiched between paper. Also known as plasterboard, it’s the most common wall finish in homes built after the 1950s. It’s fast, cheap, and easy to install, which is why builders use it everywhere—from tiny flats in London to new builds in Manchester. But drywall isn’t just a blank canvas. It’s a system. And when it fails, it shows up as cracks, bulges, or even mold behind the paint.
Drywall doesn’t work alone. It relies on stud framing, the wooden or metal skeleton that holds the panels in place. If the frame shifts—even slightly—because of foundation movement or poor installation, the drywall cracks. That’s why you’ll often see drywall problems tied to foundation issues, like settling or soil expansion, especially in older homes or areas with clay soil. It’s also why new builds sometimes develop cracks within months: the structure hasn’t settled yet, and the drywall was painted too soon. And if moisture gets in—through a leaky roof, bad plumbing, or poor ventilation—drywall turns soft, swells, and becomes a breeding ground for mold. That’s not just ugly. It’s a health risk.
Fixing drywall isn’t about repainting. It’s about understanding the root cause. A small crack might just need tape and mud. A sagging ceiling? That’s a structural problem. Water damage? You’ll need to replace the panel and fix the source. Most people don’t realize drywall can hide bigger issues—like leaking pipes behind it, or failing insulation in the attic above. That’s why the posts below cover real cases: how drywall cracks show up after foundation repairs, why new builds get mold behind the walls, and what happens when you rush to decorate before the house settles. You’ll find practical advice from UK homeowners who’ve been there—what worked, what didn’t, and how to avoid paying twice for the same fix.
