Diagonal crack above a door frame
Urgency
2/5
Depends on what you find — start here$150–$700Typical repair cost
Likely causes, most common first
- Normal stress concentration — door corners are where drywall cracks first with seasonal movement
- Missing or failed drywall seam at the corner (builder shortcut)
- If cracks are wide (>1/4"), growing, or doors stick seasonally worse each year: foundation movement question
Do this right now
- Measure and photograph with a coin for scale; recheck in 60 days
- Hairline + stable = cosmetic; repair with mesh tape and setting compound, not just spackle
DIY or call a pro?
Stable hairlines are a confident DIY or a quick pro visit bundled with other patches. Growing, wide, or company-keeping cracks (stuck doors, floor slope) deserve professional eyes before cosmetic repair hides the evidence.