This is often most noticeable as the heating system is used, accelerating the normal drying process, causing the wood to shrink and warp a bit. Sometimes even noticeable sounds can be heard as the cracks open up or components move. Small bumps may occur on surfaces of the drywall as the fasteners loosen or are forced out slightly. Dimples may occur as the warpage of the wood pulls secured fasteners back from the surface. The more common use of drywall screws has helped minimize the potential for “nail pops,” however, most new homes will still experience some evidence of this condition. In any case, both dimples and pops are cosmetic issues and relatively easy fixes in most cases.
The drying and shrinkage of wood also cause cracks to form, particularly around windows and doors and other openings where the pieces of framing are different sizes or have different orientations. When wood dries, it can also warp, which contributes to cracking, especially along the length of long members such as a ceiling or floor joists. Another characteristic of drying wood is that it dries from the outside inward. As a result, where exposed, you may see some crack or chip on the surface, particularly around knots or other irregularities. If this occurs the windows and doors affected might need to be replaced, due to damage. In this situation, you might want to search for a professional to assist. In order to do this, a potential search term could be something similar to