How To Fix Cracks In Drywall On Stairs

[Sash422]

I have a small crack (approx. 3mm wide) in the drywall just above the skirting running all the way along the stairs. The crack is caused by the stairs moving as it is a relatively new house. I have fixed a couple of times with polyfilla, but after a short while the crack reappears, what is the best way to fix the cracking permanently.
Thank you
Steve

[Zacs-Master]

You could try decorators caulk which has an element of flexibility in it.

[tonyav]

Instead of keep filling the crack I would use some quadrant beading on the top of the skirting.

[Zacs-Master]

I think it would just crack the timber Tony.

[Sash422]

I have tried caulk, it lasts a while, but eventually cracks. I think that adding a timber beading might cause more cracks. Is there a good quality felxible filler i can use as a permanent fix.

[tonyav]

I used it some years ago after we bought a brand new house and got sick of having to keep filling the shrinkage gap. Use some no nails or panel pins to fix the beading.

[RATTER15]

There are many flexible caulks on the market, just go to B&Q or a builders merchant and ask.

[Sash422]

Thanks very much for your replies, i will look into both options.

[The Builder]

Shrinkage cracks are common in new/newish houses. Usually, flexible decorator's caulk is used, as the others have said.

If it's movement, I'd be more interested in investigating that. There's always a certain amount of deflection in timber structures such as floors and stairs, but this seems excessive.
Where is the skirting? Is it along the landing... or running up the stairs?